The following information was obtained from two sources, "The History of
Herkimer County, NY," by F. W. Beers & Company, 1879, and the "History of
Herkimer County", edited by George A. Hardin, assisted by Frank H. Willard,
and published by D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, NY 1893 in the Family Sketches
Section. Most of the longer sketches were obtained from the second source.
Additional information - included from both references.
Laura Perkins
Contributing Editor, Herkimer/Montgomery Counties NYGenWeb
March 1999
FRANKFORT FAMILY SKETCHES, Part 1 |
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Hotel Thurston, Frankfort, N.Y.
Charles ALAND, Frankfort, was born in London, England in November 1855. He
was one of three children of Henry and Martha (MARTIN) ALAND. He was
educated at Helperton Academy, Wiltshere. He married Anne E. WEAVER, of
London, and in 1880 came to the United States, locating at Rome, N.Y. Mr.
ALAND took charge of an iron foundry, where he remained for five years,
when he came to Frankfort, and was placed in charge of the brass and iron
foundry of the West Shore Railroad shops where he has since remained.
Moses B. ALDINGER was born in Frankfort, N.Y., in 1849. He has been a
farmer on his own account since the age of twenty-one. John, the father of
Moses, is a native of Germany. He came to America about 1838.
W. D. ALLEN, Frankfort, one of six children of James K. and Nancy E.
(SHERWOOD) ALLEN, was born in the town of Norwich, N.Y., November 25, 1857.
Isaac ALLEN, the grandfather, was born in New York city; Nancy E.
SHERWOOD, the mother, was born at Guilford, NY, her father William
SHERWOOD, having been born in Connecticut. William D. ALLEN left his
native town when twenty-five years of age, going into the railroad
business, first with the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad, coming
from there to the West Shore Railroad shops office at Frankfort. He
advanced to the position of chief clerk of motive power and rolling stock,
and has occupied that position to the present time.
John M. ALVORD, Frankfort, was born in Frankfort October 11, 1835, he being
one of three children of Joseph M. and Desire (HAKES) ALVORD, of Frankfort.
His grandfather, Medad ALVORD, was born in Connecticut, and came to New
York State when quite a young man. Desire HAKES, the mother, was a
daughter of John and Catherine HAKES, of Little Falls. He married Eliza
ELMER, of Sauquoit, by whom he had three children: Mary L. (Mrs. David F.
DAVIS), Rosa D. (Mrs. Edward BRIGHAM), and Harriet C. (Mrs. Robert
SALISBURY), their mother dying when they were young. He subsequently
married Angeline WOODBRIDGE, of Gulph, Frankfort. He has always lived in
Frankfort, running his farm as a dairy. He has been postmaster of Gulph
post office since the office was first established six years ago.
Additional information: He was a boatman from 1858 to 1862, then an
artisan in the armory till 1869, since which he has been a farmer. His
great grandfather ALVORD was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John
HAKES, his grandfather on his mother's side, was in the war of 1812.
Henry AUSTIN was born in the town of Schuyler, N.Y., in 1802. He is now a
farmer. He helped build the Erie Canal, and worked on the first railroad
that was built in the Mohawk Valley. He was a boatman during twenty years.
Freeborn AUSTIN, the father of Henry, was in the war of 1812.
R. W. BENNETT, Frankfort, only son of Daniel and Calista (DYKE) BENNETT,
was born in Frankfort. Daniel, the father, was born in Connecticut. He
settled in Frankfort sixty-five years ago and is now living at ninety-one
years of age, his wife Calista also being eighty-seven years of age; his
father, Waterman BENNETT, was a native of Connecticut; his father was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War. R. W. BENNETT was married February 6,
1853, to Dorcas R. COOLEDGE, daughter of Horace and Mary (BUCK) COOLEDGE,
of Frankfort. They have one daughter, Flora A. (Mrs. John E. MAYNARD).
BRIDENBECKER BROTHERS, Frankfort. BRIDENBECKER, Judson, one of the four
children of Alexander and Elizabeth (Sherwood) BRIDENBECKER, was born on
the family homestead (where the brothers now reside) November 7, 1867.
Sherwood, the brother, was born December 12, 1869. Alexander BRIDENBECKER,
the father, was also born on the farm, at which place he died January 3,
1885. William BRIDENBECKER, the grandfather, was born in Fort Herkimer
during the Revolutionary War. Elizabeth SHERWOOD, the mother was born at
Morristown, N.J., she being a daughter of Rev. B. A. SHERWOOD and Mary.
Mrs. SHERWOOD is now living at Utica, aged ninety, Mr. SHERWOOD having died
January 12, 1893. The great-grandfather was Rev. Abbott SHERWOOD, of New
Jersey. The other members of this family now living are Hattie
(BRIDENBECKER) REID, wife of James T. REID, of Toronto, Canada; Willis A.
BRIDENBECKER, of Mascotte, Florida, and Adelma J., second wife of Alexander
BRIDENBECKER, now living at Chicago. The brothers are both married, Judson
having married Minnie S., daughter of the late John BELLINGER, of Little
Falls; and Sherwood, Emma E. MASON, of Hyndsville, Schoharie County. The
BRIDENBECKER Brothers' farm of 175 acres is a fine dairy, stock and fruit
farm. They have a dairy of twenty-five cows (of which most are Holstein),
own nine horses, notable among which is the young and handsome stallion
Mortimer Golddust. The horse is by the celebrated trotter "Sprague
Golddust" (2:15 1/4) and is the exact image of his sire. They have twelve
acres of strawberries producing from 25,000 to 50,000 quarts per annum.
They are classed among the enterprising young men of the country.
Horace BROWN was born in Frankfort March 23, 1839, he being one of thirteen
children of J. Z. BROWN (son of Darrius), who was born in the same town
October 6, 1807; he was a farmer and a preacher, being a Methodist
minister and preaching for fifty years. He died in his native town July
21, 1887. Darius BROWN, brother of Horace, was a soldier in the War of the
Rebellion. He died May 10, 1864, aged 29 years. His life was lost at
Spottsylvania, his body not being recovered. Another brother Burton,
served in the war, was honorably discharged on account of ill health and
died about a year later. Mr. BROWN always made his home in his native town.
A. L. BUDLONG, Frankfort, the only son of R. P. and Rebecca (MILLER)
BUDLONG of Frankfort, was born May 30, 1850, on the Budlong homestead where
he now lives. His grandfather was Aaron BUDLONG, a native of the town,
also born on the old family homestead, which was settled by his
great-grandfather Aaron BUDLONG, he being one of the first settlers, when
it was a forest. Rebecca (MILLER) BUDLONG, the mother, was a daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth MILLER of Miller's Mills, Columbia. A. L. BUDLONG
married November 3, 1880, to Julia MARRINER, one of three children of
Edward and Julia (FROST) MARRINER of New York City. They have had three
children: Edward Marriner, Fred Eugene and DeElmo P. BUDLONG (died in
infancy).
W.W. BUDLONG, M. D., son of Dr. Caleb BUDLONG, was born in Frankfort in
1826. He studied medicine with his father, attended two courses of
lectures at Geneva, and graduated in 1848 at the Buffalo Medical College.
He has been a practitioner at Frankfort since that time. He married Emma,
daughter of John QUACKENBUSH, of Montgomery county. They have three
children---W. C., Lewella, and Franklin.
David BURTON, German Flats, was born in Deerfield, October 12, 1811, and
was a farmer all his life, till he retired a few years ago. He lived forty
years in Frankfort. His father was Nathan BURTON. In 1841 Mr. BURTON
married Rosina WHITNEY, and has one son, Nathan. His wife died about forty
years ago. Mr. BURTON is one of the sterling old men of Herkimer county
and holds the highest esteem and fullest confidence of all classes.
Peter BURTON was born in France in 1841, and came to this country in 1854.
He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion.
Lewis M. CHURCHES was born on the farm where he now resides in 1848. Two
of his brothers, Oliver and Foster, died from wounds received while engaged
in the defense of their country. Oliver died at City Point, Va., and
Foster at Washington, D.C. Their father, William CHURCHES, came from
England in 1832.
Samuel CLAYTON, Frankfort, was born in Lancashire, England, June 22, 1848.
He was one of eight children of John A. and Betty (GEE) CLAYTON. The
family first located in Ilion, and Mr. CLAYTON, lived in Herkimer county
about twenty-seven years. He came to Frankfort in 1884 and built the large
and commodious building, which he uses as a hardware and agricultural
implement store, dealing also in stoves, etc. He was first married to
Susie M. SUTLIFF, who died in 1877, leaving one son, Alfred Samuel CLAYTON.
October 5, 1881, he married Georgiene M. WARNER, a daughter of Captain F.
C. and Hannah H. (BRUCE) WARNER, of Baltimore, Md. They have one son,
Franklin Robert Clayton. Captain F. C. WARNER was an officer in the navy
and captain of the ship Osceola.
Anson G. CLOYES, was born in Frankfort August 3, 1844, he being one of
eight children of Silas and Abigail W. (BROWN) CLOYES. His grandfather was
Luther CLOYES, who born in Framingham, Mass., and settled here in early
life. Anson G., the youngest son, married in 1869, Adelia N. HARVEY, by
whom he had five children: Jessie E. (deceased), Gilbert S., Ada L., Homer
E. and Bessie M. (deceased); the mother died when they were young. He
later married Mary E. FISH of Utica, by whom he has one son. Mr. CLOYES is
an enterprising farmer, his farm buildings being notable for their size,
number and convenience, one barn being 119 X 45 feet. He has recently
built a horse barn 60 X 40 feet with all the modern conveniences, an ice
house with a capacity of 200 tons, a tool house 36 X 22 feet, a piggery 25
X 20 feet, a poultry house, etc. He has a dairy of fifty cows, producing
on the average 300 lbs. of butter per week. A fine creamery is soon to be
built. His farm consists of 275 acres, which is beautifully situated,
overlooking the city of Utica and commanding an extended view of the Mohawk
and Sauquoit valleys. Additional Information: Anson G. CLOYES was born on
the farm where he now resides in 1843. He has always been a farmer and
thresher. He married Adelia HARVEY in 1868. They have had three children,
of whom a son and daughter are living. Mr. C. was two years an inspector
of election. His grandfather, Luther CLOYES, was a Revolutionary soldier.
John B. CROSBY was born in Otsego county, N.Y., in 1806. In 1825 he went
to Little Falls, where he married a Miss Burt. He afterwards removed to
Herkimer, where the subject of this sketch, W. W. CROSBY, was born in 1831.
W. W. CROSBY commenced in Frankfort in 1846 as a clerk, in which capacity
he continued about ten years. He then entered into a partnership as a
grocer, and continued till 1865. He has since carried on the same business
alone. He has held the office of town clerk five terms, village trustee,
one term, and supervisor of Frankfort four consecutive terms. He married
Miss Marilda HARRISON in 1857.
T. S. CROSBY was born in the village of Herkimer, N.Y., in 1839. He
removed with his parents to Frankfort village in 1841. From 1857 to 1861
he was a clerk, then served in the war of the Rebellion till 1864, when he
engaged in mercantile business till the spring of 1878. He is now a
produce dealer. He has held the offices of town clerk and village trustee.
Mr. CROSBY enlisted in Company K, 2nd NY H. A. September 24th, 1861, as
quartermaster's sergeant. He was in the battles of second Bull Run,
Spottsylvania, North Anna, Petersburg and Hatcher's Run. He was made a
lieutenant June 10th, 1864 and discharged October 12th, 1864.
William J. DADY, Frankfort, was born in Canajoharie where he lived until
nineteen years of age, when he came to Frankfort and engaged in the hotel
business. His house was burned in 1892 and the present hotel, "The Grand
Union" built in its place. It is a large fine building, containing
eighteen sleeping rooms, and is fitted up in good style. It adjoins the
offices of the West Shore railroad. Mr. DADY married, April 15, 1891, Maria
T. SPELLMAN of Newport, N.Y., one of six children of James and Theresa
(RILEY) SPELLMAN.
6/19 Lewis DAVIS was born in Frankfort in 1832. From the age of twelve to
seventeen he was a driver on the canal, then a steersman during three
seasons. He then went to California and engaged in mining till 1854. He
has since owned several canal boats. He is now a farmer. He was drafted
during the late civil war and paid his commutation. His father, Edward
DAVIS, was in the War of 1812.
A note from Laura, June 14, 1999: I received this message from Kathie Janski, with additional information on Lewis Davis and James D. Ferguson. Thank you for sharing this with us.
I want to thank you and all who provide this website. I have been hunting and pecking since I am new to genealogy. The information regarding Lewis DAVIS and James D. FERGUSON relate to my family and I believe I can share some information not contained in the profiles.
Lewis was born, I believe, in 1831, according to the 1900 Kansas Census. He married Julia A. FERGUSON who was the sister of James D. FERGUSON. James married Elizabeth DAVIS, the sister of Lewis. My grandfather was Fred C. Davis born (I assume) in Frankfort in 1868. There were other brothers: Edward, Albert, Lewis and Clayton.
Julia FERGUSON's mother was Christina DAY. She and her mother were born in Vermont. I believe Christina was born in Bennington county, township Winhall, in 1799. Her mother, Ann DAY'S maiden name was CHAPMAN. I believe the father of Julia and the husband of Ann was Russell DAY of Winhall. I had no idea Lewis and James went to California to the gold fields and that James had married Lewis' sister. Thank you so much for giving me a huge key to my family's history. Kathie Janski
In a 2nd message:
I recently saw a site for Frankfort cemeteries and found where and when Christina Ferguson was buried, as it said her husband, James, was a col. Another piece of information to the puzzle. I recently went back to the library and found Samuel was the father of James, Christina's husband.
Thanks, kathie
Jacob DIEFFENBACHER, Frankfort, was born in the duchy of Baden, Germany,
March 18, 1845, he being one of eleven children of Engelhardt and Catherine
DIEFFENBACHER. His father, ruined by revolution at home, emigrated to this
country with his family in 1856, being assisted by William GATES, into
whose employ the family entered. During the Rebellion Mr. DIEFFENBACHER
was employed in armories in the manufacture of army pistols and at the
close of the war he engaged in the grocery and provision business at canal
lock 45 in Frankfort, where he has since remained. He married, December
1885, Pauline BAUER, a daughter of Frederick and Pauline (Bolza) BAUER,
both natives of Saxony, who emigrated and settled in Utica. They have two
children, Sarah M. and Theresa E.
James DEMPSEY, Frankfort, was born in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer
county, October 1, 1857. He was one of nine children of Richard and Mary
DEMPSEY. When nine years of age he went to live in the town of Schuyler,
engaging in the business of buying and selling cattle and hay. He owns a
farm of 125 acres in the town of Newport and one of 100 acres in Frankfort.
He was married February 24, 1892, to Mary DAVIN, daughter of Andrew and
Ella DAVIN, of Little Falls. They reside in Frankfort village, where he
owns fine property. He has a dairy of forty cows and is one of the
enterprising citizens of Frankfort.
Joseph Janion DUDLESTON, a native of England, was born in 1810. He came to
this county in 1846, and settled in Litchfield, Herkimer County, where he
engaged in dairy farming and in burning lime. In 1862 he went to Grand
Rapids, Michigan, and from there to Bridgeport, California, in 1866,
returning to Frankfort in 1874, where he now resides.
Joseph J. DUDLESTON, Jr., was born in England in 1838. He came with his
parents to this country in 1846. He began to read law with S. & R. EARL of
Herkimer, in 1864, and was admitted to the bar in April 1865. He opened an
office at Frankfort, where he is still practicing. He was elected to the
office of district attorney for Herkimer county in November 1876, for the
term of three years.
Myron K. ELLSWORTH was born in 1845 in Frankfort, N.Y., on the farm where
he now resides. He has been a farmer on his own account since 1866. He
was ten years a fireman, and since 1871, when he became a freemason, he has
filled the five principal offices in the subordinate lodge.
M. F. FARREL was born in the village of Frankfort in 1850. He has been a
clerk since 1871. He was a town clerk in 1874, and again in 1878. He has
also been clerk of the village during two terms. He was married to Miss
Sophia VAN DUSEN in 1875.
Thomas P. FARRELL, Frankfort, was born December 14, 1843. He went into the
grocery business in Frankfort, and has continued it to the present time, a
period of twenty years, he being one of the stirring merchants of the town.
April 27, 1876, he married Mary Josephine CARRY, of Utica, and they have
one daughter, Mary Julia FARRELL. In 1886 he purchased the fine George
Gates mansion for a residence. Mr. Farrell is a member of the Board of
Education of Water Works, and is one of the largest taxpayers in the town.
James D. FERGUSON was born on the farm where he now resides in Frankfort in
1829. He went to California at the age of twenty and engaged in mining.
He returned in 1857, and has been an extensive farmer and speculator. He
married Elizabeth M. DAVIS in 1852. Eight children were born to them, of
whom four are living. He furnished a substitute for the war of the
Rebellion. James G. Ferguson, the father of James D., came from Oneida
County with his father, Samuel, about 1795. James G. married Christina
DAY, who was born in Vermont about 1795. [See Lewis Davis listing above]
William GATES was born February 29, 1808 in Mechanicsville, Saratoga
County, N.Y. June 5, 1832 he married Miss Mary A. DEUEL of that place. In
June 1843, he removed with his family to Frankfort where he remained until
the time of his death, July 28, 1877. His age at this time was 69 years, 4
months and 29 days. In 1844 he began the manufacture of matches, which
business he continued up to time of his death on a most extensive scale, as
may be seen by our engraving and description of the manufacturing. His
three sons, William B., George W. and Frederick succeeded him. His family
at the time of his death consisted of wife, three sons, and one daughter,
Mrs. Aurelia SHELDON. Ref. #1
Peter J. GETMAN was born in Frankfort, N.Y., in 1832. He has always been a
farmer and lumberman. His father Robert GETMAN, was born in the same town
in 1804. In addition to the business of farming and lumbering Mr. GETMAN,
sen, was a carpenter and joiner.
James G. GOODIER, Frankfort, one of eleven children of Aaron and Abigail
(KENDALL) GOODIER, both of Litchfield. The grandfather, Rev. Aaron
GOODIER, clergyman, was born in England and educated for the ministry,
preaching there for several years. He came to this country when
thirty-five years of age and was during his active life a minister of the
Gospel, living in the town of Litchfield, where he was a large land owner.
Abigail KENDALL, the mother, was a daughter of Ammi KENDALL, contractor, a
native of Massachusetts. James G. was married May 1, 1872, to Mary A.
SLAUGHTER of Litchfield. Until 1888 he lived in Litchfield when he moved
to the village of Frankfort where he now lives. He is justice of the peace
and does a real estate and collecting business.
Chauncey C. HARTER, Frankfort, born in Herkimer June 18, 1859. He was one
of three children (the other being Charles N. and John S. HARTER) of
Nicholas and Mary A. (CROSBY) HARTER. Nicholas, the father was born in
Herkimer county, N. Y. Chauncey C. married December 23, 1882, Nellie A.
WATSON, one of six children of Oliver and Lucinda (CASLER) WATSON of
Frankfort. They have one son, James M. HARTER. Mr. HARTER came to
Frankfort when seven years old. He was employed in a grocery store for
several years during his early life, manufactured cigars for a few years,
and afterwards did a fireman insurance business. About seven years ago he
engaged in the railroad business, serving three years as freight clerk at
Frankfort for the West Shore Railroad. He was appointed storekeeper for
the same company November 1, 1888, having charge of all the supplies in the
Motive Power and Car department of the West Shore Stops. He was elected
president of the village of Frankfort in March 1892.
Charles E. HOLDRIDGE, the deceased husband of Ruth HOLDRIDGE, was born in
Connecticut in 1796. He came to this county with father, Joseph, in 1827,
when it was an unbroken wilderness. Charles settled on the farm where Ruth
HOLDRIDGE and A. G. HOLDRIDGE, a son, now reside. With eyes suffused with
tears, the widow said, " It is the pleasantest spot on earth to me."
Continue on to Part 2
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Created: 3/20/99
Last Updated: 6/19/99
Copyright ©1992-2002 Laura Perkins/ Martha S. Magill
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