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Township Sections of Mini-Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
PLAINFIELD
Benjamin, Abel, and Perry CLARK were also early settlers. The
two former located at the Forks, and the latter about two and one-half
miles southeast, on a farm taken from the Lispenard patent, on premises
now owned by Nelson Clark, a grandson. His father, Isaac P. Clark,
was born in the town, and resided here until his death, about three
years ago. Several children reside in the vicinity. Reynolds, another
son of Perry C., resides in Leonardsville.
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PHILIPS- A worthy pioneer who settled east of Plainfield Centre was
Parley PHILIPS, who came from Adams, Mass., prior to 1800. In 1813
he changed his location, settling one mile east of Lloydsville, where he
passed the remainder of his days. He was active in the affairs of the
town, and served fifteen years as town clerk. His family consisted of
twelve children. Parley, a son, born in 1810, lives on the homestead.
Jeremiah went as missionary to Hindostan in 1835, and after a
residence of twenty years returned to his native country, and after
remaining here until 1865 returned to his field of labor, where he and
his family now resides. Four children are missionaries.
Parley Philps, the father, caught the smallpox during his trip to see
his son off for India, and both himself and wife died from the loathsome
disease in 1835.
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Joshua BABCOCK emigrated from Connecticut to the town of
Bridgewater, Oneida county, in about the year 1796, and in 1802 moved
to this town and settled near the Forks. His family consisted of nine
children, four of whom reside in the town: Joshua F., on the old
homestead; Henry H. is a merchant in the village; and Mrs. Elizabeth
CRUMB and Mrs. Lucy T. BABCOCK also reside in the village.
Joshua Babcock was one of the enterprising men of the county, and
served in many official positions. He was member of assembly in 1818
and '21; supervisor in 1834, and presidential elector in 1836. His
son,, Henry H., has also officiated several times as supervisor of his
town.
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A worthy pioneer was Azariah ARMSTRONG, who was born in
Bennington, Vt., April 1, 1776. He emigrated from his native State in
1812, and located on the premises now owned and occupied by D. M.
and C. H. Armstrong. Mr. A. remained there until his death, which
occurred in 1855. His wife died on the old homestead in 1848. Their
family consisted of the following children, viz.: Ominda,* Farrand
S.,*,
Hopestill, Morey W., Solomon, Gethro G.,* David M., Dr. Azaraih,*
and Charles H. The surviving children all reside in the town. Solomon
has represented his town in the board of supervisors two terms; David
M. was also supervisor in 1871 and 1872. Solomon has one son, S.
Eugene, and David M. has three children, Nellie, Inis, and Morey E.
A son of Farrand S., George W., is deceased, and a daughter, Dette,
is the wife of George WING. Finett, the wife of Simon HUBBARD,
is a daughter of Ominda. Hopestill has on son, Azariah, and Morey
W. has one named Floyd E.
* Deceased
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A prominent and active pioneer was Giles KILBOURNE, who settled
on lands now owned by a son, Francis S. Kilbourne. Mr. K. did much
to advance the interests of the town, and was ranked among its leading
citizens. Francis S. also manifests an interest in the public welfare,
and has represented his town in the board of supervisors two terms, 1874
and 1875.
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SPOONER- The locality known as Spooner's Corners derived it name
from a worthy pioneer named Ruggles SPOONER, familiarly known
as 'Squire Spooner. A daughter, Mrs. Sophronia CRUMB, resides
near Leonardsville.
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Luther SMITH, from Connecticut, was also an early settler in this
vicinity. Here he remained until his death, which occurred a few years
since. He was about ninety years of age. His son, Benjamin Smith,
who was born in Connecticut in 1815, occupies the old homestead,
together with his son, who was born in this county in 1829.
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At Plainfield Centre, Joseph SIMS was an early settler and a pioneer
inn-keeper, in the building now occupied as a dwelling by Evan EVANS.
He has two sons, Ephraim F., residing in Exeter, and Jephtha, at Fort
Plain, N.Y. The latter is known as the author of "Sims' Border Wars,"
an interesting and meritorious work. Joseph Sims, a son of Ephraim,
is a traveler, author, and lecturer. He has made extensive tours in
the East and South America, and at this writing is traveling in
California.
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Captain Vose PALMER was a prominent and influential actor in
early scenes at Plainfield Centre. At his house was held the first
town-meeting. He was chosen supervisor in 1800, and officiated in
that capacity until 1810. His family consisted of two sons and two
daughters. One daughter married Spencer KELLOGG, who for many
years was the business man at Plainfield Centre. He removed to
Utica, and was subsequently mayor of the city. The other daughter
married Jonathan McFARLAND, and his son, Levi P., who was
supervisor in 1867 and 1868, now occupies the old homestead.
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South of the Centre, an early settler was Stephen BEVIN, who came
from Connecticut. Four sons, Samuel, Isaac, Julius, and William,
reside in the town; the two former occupy the old homestead.
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In the vicinity of the Sprague school-house in district No. 6, David
DEWEY was a worthy pioneer. He had two sons, Jabez and Daniel, and a
number of daughters. Jabez married and settled in this town, and his
family consisted of three sons and two daughters. The sons were
Samuel and Alexander. The former is a physician, and resides in
Wisconsin. The latter married, and also settled in this town; had
four children,- two sons and two daughters. Dennis A., a son,
enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, and lost a foot in the service.
Both Dennis A. and his father now reside at Winfield. Alexander
was a prominent man in the town, and officiated as supervisor as
early as 1853.
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In the southwest part of the town, Joshua SISSON and Stephen SAUNDERS,
who came from Rhode Island, were early settlers. A son of Stephen
S., named Clark, and a daughter, the wife of E. BASS, reside in
the vicinity.
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The premises now occupied by Morris BASSETT were early
settled by his grandsire, William Bassett. Mr. B. and his wife lived
to the advanced age of ninety years, having lived together as husband
and wife more than seventy years.
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Another early settler in this vicinity was Asa LAMPHERE, from
Rhode Island, who married a sister of Stephen SAUNDERS.
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HACKLEY- In the northwest part of the town, where are located
the best farming lands, is a thoroughfare known as "Hackley
Street," which derived its name from Dr. HACKLEY, a prominent
pioneer, who located on the lands now owned and occupied by a
son, Salinus H. Hackley.
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Prentice BROWN, of honored memory, was a pioneer on
Hackley Street, on the farm now owned by Wm. L. Brown. The
latter has two sons, Alonzo W and William H.
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Nathaniel CRUMB was an early settler at the Forks, on the premises
now owned by a grandson, A. B. Crumb.
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Squire Elijah GATES early located at the Forks, and still resides there
at an advanced age. He has four sons and one daughter residing in
the town. He has officiated as justice of the peace during many
years, and has discharged the duties of that office with great
responsibility. He is also a deacon in the Free Will Baptist church.
Four sons and one daughter are living, viz., Nathaniel, H. Henry,
James M., Isaac, and Mrs. TARBULL,-all of whom, except Nathaniel
H., are residents of the town.
[Note: one place it's Nathaniel & H. Henry and later it's
Nathaniel H.]
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Cyrus BROWN was also an early settler. He was a pioneer justice of
the peace, and member of assembly in 1849. A son, Samuel A.,
resides in the town.
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In the southeast part of the town, Squire William WALKER was a
pioneer, on lands now owned by John WATKINS. He reared a
large family of children, two of whom, Charles and Almond, were
merchants. Charles began business at Burlington Flats, and
subsequently went to Chicago, and is now a merchant in that city.
Almond, deceased, was also a merchant in Chicago. He married a
daughter of Captain Vose PALMER. Charles was a prominent
citizen. He was member of assembly from this county in 1840.
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Henry LAKE was an early settler in this vicinity. He reared a
numerous family. Phipps was a Free-Will Baptist minister; Valoris
removed to Chatauqua county, and has represented that county in
the legislature; Jarvis was an attorney, first practicing in Little
Falls, and afterwards in New York.
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