Cameron New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

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

Allen, T. Alfred

T. Alfred Allen, was born on the Allen homestead near the Woodhull town line. He is a son of Thomas and Margaret Allen, who came here with their family of five children, George, William, Nancy Northrup, Joseph, and T. Alfred, in 1826 and settled in the southern part of the town of Cameron. When Thomas settled on the Allen homestead there was but one tree cut on the place and by hard labor it has been changed from a wilderness to a productive farm. T. Alfred Allen married Mary A., a daughter of James McFadden, by whom he had these children: Emma Irene (deceased), Nancy Ella Frohman (afterwards married Robert Toppins), Rosa B. Campbell of Iowa, Katie M., William Alfred. Mr. Allen after the death of his first wife, married Alice Northrup. He is a member of the M. E. church and has been since fifteen years of age.

Allen, Alvah J.

Alvah J. Allen, is a son of George and Louisa (June) Allen, who had eight children: Alvah J., Isaac, Sarah M. Wood, Flora A. Dillenbeck, Moses M., Aaron T., Nancy Rowen, and Mary Orton, who were all born on the old homestead in the town of Cameron. Alvah J. married Abbie A., a daughter of James H. and Charity France, by whom he has one child, Ethel M. Mr. Allen has been a member of the East Cameron Baptist church for thirty-three years and is active in the Sunday school. He is engaged in farming on the Allen homestead of 210 acres, where he lived for twenty years. George was a son of Thomas and Margaret Allen, who settled in this county in 1826. Their children were George, William, Nancy Northrup, Joseph, who were born in New Jersey, and T. Alfred, who was born on the Allen homestead in the town of Cameron.

Angel, Prentis

Prentis Angel, settled in Urbana with his wife (Dollie Mitchell) and family of nine children: Sylvester, Silas, Lucy, Thomas, Betsie, Hannah, Calvin, Prentis and Abner. Thomas married Axie Pope, by whom he has seven children: Almira, Alonzo, Edwin, Julia, tarah, James, and Prentis. Thomas married Elma Stratton (deceased), by whom he had five children: Helen, Abner, Mary, Isabelle, and Fanny. Prentis married Lois, a daughter of Silas and Lucetta Babcock, by whom he had five children: Ray, Fred, Bert, Floyd, and Walter. Mr. Angel followed railroading in early life, but is now engaged in farming on a farm of 104 acres.

Barrett, William W.

William W. Barrett, was born in New Jersey, January 13, 1838, son of John and Mary (Westervelt) Barrett, who settled in Bath in 1842 and had four children: Julia, John W., Mary, all deceased, and William W. William W. married Lovina J. Niles and has two children: Moses J., who married Eva Jackson; and Jerome W., who married Fannie Parker and has two children: Clarence and Blanche. Moses J. Barrett has three children : Pearl, Lawrence, and Ethel. William W. is an active temperance advocate and is a member of the Good Templars, also the Town Grange.

Bromley, Frank

Frank Bromley, was born in Bradford county, Pa., in 1838. His father, Jonathan Bromley, was born in New London county, Conn., in 1806, and in 1826 married Polly C. Ray, of New London county, Conn., by whom he had six children, two of whom died in infancy; Frank, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Mira reached maturity. Mr. Bromley moved to Bradford countv, Pa., with his wife about 1827, thence to Tioga, N. Y., some ten years later, and in 1853 he came to Steuben county, with his wife and four children, and settled in the town of Addison (since Rathbone) where he engaged in farming and was very successful. He was much interested in educational and political affairs, and was one of the first assessors of the town of Rathbone, and was several times re-elected; this, with frequent terms as school trustee and commissioner of excise, comprised his official life. He met his death by accident when eighty-five years of age, while still remarkably vigorous. His second wife and two children, Frank and Elizabeth, survive him. Frank Bromley was educated at Owego, N. Y., after which he engaged in teaching, and was also a carpenter and a farmer. In 1853 he came to Steuben county and engaged in farming. In 1861 he married Jane A. McDowell, by whom he has three sons: Charley F., A. R., and Melvin J. In 1863 Mr. Bromley enlisted in the 2d Regt. N. Y. Veteran Cavalry, was discharged in November, 1865, and returned to farming which ill-health compelled him to abandon last year (1894). Elizabeth Bromley married William M. Wood, and they had several children, of whom but two are living. Mr. Wood served during the entire war and took part in the more severe battles. He met his death by accident after his return. Elizabeth remarried and is again a widow and resides with her sons in Tompkins county, N. Y. Charlotte died in Missouri about 1888, and two sons survive her. Mira married Rev. A. G. Cole, and they had two children, both of whom survive her.

Brown, Charles A.

Charles A. Brown, was born in the town of Howard, December 5, 1829, son of Thomas and Lucinda (daughter of Aaron Borden) Brown. Charles A. was one of twelve children: Israel, Levi, Charles A., Aaron, Jane Chisholm, Elizabeth Hunt, McCord, Ezekiel, Phebe Merrill, Electa Ann Conners, Mahala Miller, and Lucinda White. Thomas Brown was a lumberman and farmer and in early life was a school teacher. Charles A. married Matilda, a daughter of Abel White, by whom he has four children: Eva Talbott, Ella Dickenson, Chauncey E., and Sarah Jackson. Mr. Brown is engaged in farming. He is a member of the M. E. church of Talbott Creek. He has held several school offices.

Bundy, George W.

George W. Bundy, was born in Cameron, October 18, 1842, a son of George and Caroline (Smith) Bundy. George, sr. , came from Otsego county, town of Pittsfield, when fourteen years of age, in 1827, with his father, Nathaniel. His wife, Caroline, was a daughter of Rev. David Smith and a native of Bath. Nathaniel Bundy was a carpenter by trade and his son George was a farmer. They were both very active in the M. E. Church of Cameron. Nathaniel was one of the first of the justices of peace and was familiarly known as “Squire Bundy.” George Bundy, jr., married Mary J., a daughter of Caleb and Harriet (Roosa) Annable, by whom he had three children: Nelson O., Caleb C., and Melvin G. Nelson O. married Hattie Abbott and has one child, Cora. Mr. Bundy, jr., has been assessor nine years and highway commissioner seven years. He is past master of the Grange and has been State delegate. He is engaged in farming and owns a farm of 200 acres.

Campbell, Thomas

Thomas Campbell, was born in Ireland in 1815. His parents, Alexander and Matilda Campbell, settled near East Cameron and Mr. Campbell was the first postmaster of that town, holding office in 1847. Their children were George, Annie, Margaret, Matilda, Isabelle, James, Alice, John, all deceased, and Thomas. Thomas married Mary, a daughter of Adam and Rebecca (Moore) Wilson, by whom he had these children: Margaret, wife of Royal S. White; Annie, wife of John Smith; George; Adam; Matilda, wife of John Hoffman; Catherine, deceased; and Mary Cross, deceased. Mr. Campbell has been highway commissioner for eight years and is active in educational affairs.

Dickey, Mathew

Dickey, Mathew, his wife, Ruth, and family, came to Cameron in 1820, settling on the Swale road. Their children were Erastus, Samuel, William, Amasa, George, Myra, Sallie, Ruth, Harriet, and Mary Ann. Erastus married Elvira, daughter of Joel and Sarah Clark, by whom he had six children: John, Mathew, deceased, Melvina, deceased, William, Charles, and Mathew, natives of the town of Cameron. Mathew married Hannah, a daughter of John and Minerva (Briggs) Reese, of Cameron. He is engaged in farming and has cleared most of the farm where he now lives. He is active in town affairs and is now serving his second term as assessor.

Fairbanks, George

Fairbanks, George. — Joel Fairbanks settled in Cameron in 1822. He married Sarah, a daughter of Mathew Dickey, by whom he had six children: Elizabeth Turner, George H., William, Martha, Mary Moore, and Emily Helmer. Joel Fairbanks was a carpenter, builder, and millwright, and at the time he retired from business had built more buildings in the town than any other one man. George H. married Jane, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret Barber, by whom he had four children: Sarah Hatch, Jennie B. Dickey, Charles L., and Joel L., all born on the homestead. In early life Mr. Fairbanks was engaged in lumbering, but he now follows farming. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Cameron Mills, No. 547.

Goff, Hiram S.

Goff, Hiram S., was born in the town of Howard, April 7, 1841, son of Pliney and Lana (Voorhees) Goff. He was one of nine children: Finla, Sidney C., Morven, Charles A., Mary, William S., Hiram S., Ira L., and Luke R. Pliney was a mason by trade, but in early life he taught school. He was a son of Russell and Sallie (Calkins) Goff. For his second wife Russell married Annie Pixley, by whom he had four children: Henrietta, Nannie, Marietta, and Eliza. Russell moved to Youngstown, 0.,Where he died. He built a grist mill in Howard when he first settled there. Hiram S. married Mary S., a daughter of Almond and Lola (Monroe) Woodsworth, of Luzerne county. Pa , by whom he had six children: Almon P., Nancy' A., George S., Vernon W., Elizabeth F., and Marion L. Hiram S. enlisted in Co. K, I07th N. Y. V. He participated in the battles of Antietam, and Chancellorsville, where he was taken prisoner and held three weeks before being exchanged, and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea.

Jack, Allen T.

Jack, Allan T., was born March 15, 1881, and is a son of William and Hannah (Giffe) Jack, who came to Thurston from Maryland in 1820. They were the parents of nine children: James, William, John, Harvey, Allan T., Christie, Mary Barrett, Rachel Rumsey, and Harriet Martin. William Jack in early life was a cooper, but he afterwards became a farmer. Allan T. married Loranah, a daughter of George W. Lane, by whom he has four children: Harvey, who graduated from Baltimore Medical College and practices in Canisteo; George N., a graduate of the Buffalo Medical College, practicing in Depew, N. Y.; Griffe W., a farmer; and Lucile, deceased. Allan T. is engaged in farming and owns about 100 acres of land. In early life he followed lumbering and railroading.

MASON, Phineas P.

Mason, Phineas P., was born on the farm where he now lives, November 5. 1854, son of Enoch L. and Mary A. (Richmond) Mason. Enoch was one of four children born to Elias and Abigail Mason. Elias Mason was a justice of the peace and the first supervisor of the town of Cameron, which office he held for a number of years. Squire Mason settled here in the year 1813, and was a very active worker in the M. E. Church. Enoch had two children: Orlim J., deceased, and Phineas P. Orlim J. married Margaret McChesney. by whom he had three children: Edward P., Mary R. wife of Clayton McAdam, and Grace. He was also justice of the peace. He was a member of the town and county Grange and was master of the lodge for a number of years. Phineas P. married Mary E. , a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Johnson) Roosa, natives of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have one child, Leila B., wife of Thomas R. Campbell. Mr. Mason is assessor of the town at the present time. He is a member of the town and county Grange and has been its secretary for a number of years, and was one of the directors of the Patrons Fire Relief Association of Steuben and Livingston counties for three years.

Ordway, Enoch

Ordway, Enoch, came here from New Hampshire. His wife was Hannah Whiting, by whom he had three children: Luther, Charles and Enoch. He was a farmer in the town of Jasper and was a member of the Presbyterian church there, devoting a great deal of his time to church work. Enoch, jr., married Hester A., a daughter of William and Sallie (Travis) Clark, by whom he had three children: Brunette, wife of Leslie D. Whiting; Minerva, wife of Edson H. Prentice, and, second, Byron H. Backus; and May, wife of James B. Scutt. Mr. Ordway is engaged in farming. He is an attendant of the M. E. Church and is a member of the Grange and an ex-gatekeeper and ex-chaplain.

Rumsey, Adson J.

Rumsey, Adson J., was born in Delaware county, N. Y,, December 15, 1847, son of Simeon K. and Miranda (Bogart) Rumsey, who settled in that county about 1856. They had ten children: Emily Davison, Charles W., Anna E. Cleveland, Frances H., deceased, Harriet C. Aldrich, Peter B., Adson J., George Y., Edward A., and Sarah E. Simeon K. followed blacksmithing and farming. He was active in the Thurston M. E. church. Adson J. married Henrietta L., daughter of Lewis and Henrietta (Dean) Haseltine, of Cameron. Mr. Rumsey is a charter member and first master of Hedgesville Subordinate Grange No. 697. He has also been chaplain. In early life Mr. Rumsey followed lumbering, but in 1879 he commenced farming and now owns 100 acres of land.

Rumsey, Peter B.

Rumsey, Peter B., was born in Delaware county, N.Y., October 9, 1844, son of Simeon K. and Miranda (Bogart) Rumsey, who settled in Thurston in 1856. Peter B. is one of eleven children, nine of whom are residents of this county: Emily I. Davidson, Charles W., deceased, Ann Eliza Cleveland, Hattie C. Aldrich, Peter B., Addison J., George, Edward, and Sarah E. Peter B. Rumsey married Alice J., a daughter of Asher and Catherine Northup, of Thurston, by whom he has three children: Edith, Claude, and Lawrie P., all natives of Cameron. Mr. Rumsey has been a member of the Masonic Lodge since he was twenty-four years of age. He is a charter member and first secretary and second treasurer of the North Cameron Grange. He spent his early life in lumbering, but is now engaged m farming, owning a farm of 145 acres.

Selleck, Zeno C.

Selleck, Zeno C., is a son of Zeno C. Selleck, who came to this county in 1822 and married Weltha, a daughter of Capt. Samuel Baker, who settled in Howard in 1812. Capt. Samuel Baker was in the war of 1812 and also in the Revolutionary war and was taken prisoner and carried to Montreal, where he was exchanged. He had a family of six children: Daniel, Arbane, Phebe, Travis, Weltha Selleck, Cynthia McDuffy, and Eveline Miles. Mr. and Mrs. Selleck, sr., had twelve children: Noah, Phebe, Cole, Samuel D., Margaret Loid, Cynthia, Weltha, Zeno C., John, Weltha Jane, Pembleton, Milton, and another. Zeno C. married Marinda, daughter of Willard and Elizabeth (Eddy) Bailey, by whom he had four children: Edwdn, Aurilla Harrison, Zeno, and Emma J. Rowen. He is a farmer and owns a farm of 157 acres. Mr. Selleck and family are members of the Baptist church. He is a Mason and belongs to Cameron Mills Lodge No. 547.

Smith, James A.

Smith, James A., was born in Middlefield, Otsego county, N.Y., January 25, 1827, and settled in Cameron with his parents in 1886. He is a son of Richard and Sarah (Bristol) Smith and the oldest of eleven children: James A., Ceylon, Margaret, Eliza, Mary, Richard, Marcia, all living, and Hannah, Doane, Amanda, and Jane, deceased. James A. married Maria Hallett in 1851, who died December 12, 1890, leaving five children: Mary Burrett, John R., Rogene, James A., jr., and Frank H. James A. enlisted in the Construction Corps, under E. L, Wintz, in 1864 and went to Chattanooga on railroad work. September 19, 1864, he enlisted in Co. F, 189th N. Y. Vols., and was promoted at Washington to regimental quartermaster and served until the end of the war. He was at Appomattox Court House when Lee surrendered. Mr. Smith has been justice of sessions for five years, justice of the peace for a number of years, deputy sheriff, collector, and constable. He is the oldest Mason in the town and belongs to Cameron Mills F. & A. M., Lodge No. 542, and has held every office in the lodge except master.

Stewart, George W.

Stewart, George W. — John Stewart, his wife Cynthia and family, came to the town of Cameron from Yates county about 1885. Their children were Lydia Jackson, Rev. Jacob Stewart, Nancy, Girden Mary Dyke, Zeri, John Stout, Rebecca Andrus, and Abraham, all deceased with the exception of Abraham. Girden first married Catherine, daughter of Elisha Leach, by whom he had two children: Melissa Thomas and Amos. He afterwards married Sarah, a daughter of Nehemiah Winship, by whom he had these children: John (deceased), George W., Henry (deceased). Norman, James. Catherine Walton, Amelia (deceased), Samuel, Dewitt, Mory, and Lucilla Wambald. Amos, George, and Henry enlisted in Co. G, 141st Regt. N. Y. Vols. George was transferred to Hancock’s Veteran Reserve Corps, 145th Independent Co. Amos died at Bridgeport, Ala., and Henry at Yorktown, of camp fever. Norman enlisted in Co. A, 189th Regt. N. Y. Vols. George W. married Jane S., a daughter of Richard Wood, by whom he had four children: Annie Day, Jennie Jackson, Clarence, and George H. (deceased). Mr. Stewart afterward married Hannah, a daughter of James and Mary Tailor, by whom he had four children: Sarah J., George T., Lizzie C., and James G. George W. is a farmer and owns about eighty acres of land. In early life he worked at carpentry. He has been a member of the M. E. church for twenty-five years and is past junior vice in the Cameron Post. Girden Stewart was very active in church work and was a local preacher.

Stuart, Morey

Stuart, Morey, was born in Cameron and married Jane, a daughter of George and Martha Punches. Their children are daughter Frances and son Winfred. Mr. Stuart is a school teacher, having taught for thirteen years. He is also engaged in farming. He is excise commissioner of the town, justice of the peace, etc., having been in office most of the time since he was twenty-one years of age. His father, Girdon Stuart, married for his first wife Katie Leach, by whom he had two children: Malissa and Amos. October 9, 1841, he married Sarah Winship, by whom he had eleven children: John, George, Henry, Norman, James, Kate, Amelia, Samuel, Dewitt, Morey, and Lula. Girdon was a member of the Baptist church. He was a carpenter and builder in early life, but was engaged in farming the latter part of his life.

Waters, Almon

Waters, Almon, was born in the town of Horicon, Warren county, N. Y. , February 27, 1827, and settled in Cameron in 1858. He is a son of Howard and Laurie (Putnam) Waters. He married Agnes, a daughter of George and Marian (Cuthill) Wream, who were natives of Scotland and residents of Schuylkill county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Waters have four children: Carrie A., Clayton H., Miriam L., and Robert J., all school teachers except Miriam. Carrie A. attended school in Bath and is a graduate of Elmira College. Almon Waters is an active worker in the North Cameron Grange and was one of its early masters, and is at the present time overseer of the town and county Grange. He has been assessor of the town for six years and was supervisor in 1891.

Wheeler, John D.

Wheeler, John D., was born in the town of Cameron in 1845, and is a son of James B. and Malinda G. (Willard) Wheeler, who settled here in 1815, when James B. was seven years old. John D. married Adelle, a daughter of Jessie and Susanna Santee, of Hornellsville. They have one child, Charles J. Mr. Wheeler has been town clerk of Cameron for eight consecutive years and has several times refused the nomination for supervisor. He is a member of Cameron Mills Lodge No. 542 F. &: A. M., and has been commander of Hallett Post G. A. R. for five years, He enlisted in 1863 and served until the close of the war. He was in the 16th N. Y. Artillery and was afterwards made captain in 106th Regt. N. Y. S. Nat. Guards. Mr. Wheeler was engaged in farming and milling until 1880, when he engaged in the general merchandise business, which he still follows.

White, Royal S.

White, Royal S., was born in Cayuta, Schuyler county, April 30, 1832, son of Hiram and Cornelia White, who had eleven children, six daughters and five sons, Royal S. being the youngest except one daughter, Adelia. Hiram White emigrated from Connecticut, and was one of the first settlers in Cayuta, then known as Pony Hollow, which derived its name from being a wind-fall where General Sullivan, in his march from Ithaca to Elmira, pastured his horses. Cayuta at that time was in Tioga county, afterwards Chemung county, now Schuyler county. The parents of Cornelia Van Etten, mother of R. S. White, came from Germany and were the first settlers in Van Ettenville, Chemung county, from whom Van Ettenville takes its name. Royal S. in early life was a lumber inspector at Albany, N. Y. , but since 1865 has been engaged in farming. He enlisted in Chicago, 111., September 16, 1861, under Capt. Wm. Me dill, brother of Joe Medill, editor of the Chicago Tribune, in Co. G, 8th 111. Cavalry, and was in the following engagements: Rappahannock Station, Beverly Ford, Williamsburg, Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Beaver Dam Creek, Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, St. Charles Court House, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, Snicker’s Gap, besides a great many skirmishes. He was taken prisoner in the fall of 1861 near Snicker’s Gap on the Shenandoah River, taken to Libby prison, where he remained most of the winter of 1861-62 until exchanged. He was mustered out of service in June, 1865. He married Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wilson) Campbell of the town of Cameron, by whom he had four children, two sons and two daughters, now living. He has been supervisor of Cameron three terms and assessor, for twelve consecutive years. He is a member of Hallett Post of Cameron, and the F. & A. M. lodge at Cameron Mills.

Wilder, Josiah

Wilder, Josiah, was born in the Green Mountain region of Vermont, and after a residence of some years in Otsego county where he married Elmira Beadle, he moved to the town of Jasper, where he settled on the June farm in 1835; two years later he settled on the J. H. Boyd place in Cameron, and afterwards moved to the place where his son George now lives. Josiah Wilder was engaged in lumbering and farming. His children were Eunice, Angeline, Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Charles, William, Liza, Jane, Daniel, George W., and Elmira. His second wife was Betsey, a daughter of Elder Smith, by whom he had one child, Leva J., a resident of Kansas. Josiah Wilder died in February, 1863. George Wilder married Cynthia M., daughter of John and Mary L. (Kellogg) Jackson, by whom he had seven children: Mary H., Maggie L., George R., Charles, Estella E., Edith B., and John C. Mr. Wilder has been justice of the peace and is active in school affairs. He owns eighty acres of land, and his brother Charles owns fifty-eight acres in the town of Cameron. They are both members of Cameron Post, G. A. R. George W. enlisted in Co. F, 189th N. Y. Vols. , and Charles in Co. F. 31st Wis. Vols.

Wilson, Robert K.

Wilson, Robert K., was born in Canisteo, January 22, 1849, son of Eben and Mary J. (Brown) Wilson, who settled in Canisteo in 1840. Their children were Warren, Susan, J. Eben, Franklin N., Robert K., Philetus, Willie, Jane, and Sylvia A. In early life Eben followed shoemaking in East Troy, but after moving here he followed farming. He was one of the organizers of the M. P. church of Gravel Run and was intensely interested in all educational affairs. Robert K. married Nancy, a daughter of Myron Clark, by whom he had one child, Myrtie. His first wife dying, he married Bettie, a daughter of William and Helen Howland, who lived on the farm where Mr. Wilson now resides. Their children are: George H., Minnie D., Harry A., and an adopted child, Hiram Howland, whose father was killed in New Mexico. Robert K. Wilson taught school for a number of years, but is now engaged in farming.