Famous People Chenango County NY Has Given to the World
by Mrs. Archie D. Gibbs
Evening Sun, Norwich, NY, February 3, 1921
Chenango County [NY] has been the home, at some time in their lives, of many men and women who have achieved much and of many more who are on the road to great fame.
Gail Borden
There is one name which seems to stand out above all others. This man's fame has extended to every country in the world and his name is known to every race on the globe. The product for which he is famous has been a part of the equipment of every army since 1861 and hunters, traders, trappers and explorers have carried it into every wilderness. Gail Borden, the inventor of the vacuum process for condensing milk, was born in the town of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] in 1801. The little house still stands [in 1921] beside the East River Road between Norwich and Woods Corners. He emigrated to Texas in 1827 and was collector of the Port of Galveston. Before the discovery of the process for condensing milk, he invented a meat biscuit, which proved the value of a condensed form of food and in 1851 was awarded the Great Counsel Medal in London. Strange as it may seem, when Gail Borden first applied for a patent on his process of condensing milk, his application was rejected on the ground that it was not a useful process.
After three years of hard work and financial loss, he succeeded in obtaining the patent in 1856, and thus laid the foundation for one of the largest industries int he world.
Anson Burlingame
There is another man whose name, while not quite so familiar to us, is entitled to a place of honor in the roll of Chenango's great men. Anson Burlingame, of New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY], was not only United States' Minister to China, but had the unique honor of becoming an ambassador from China to the United States and other countries.
Anson Burlingame was born in the town of New Berlin on Nov. 14, 1820. At an early age he moved to the state of Michigan where he received his education. He graduated from the university of Michigan in 1841 and five years later graduated from the law department of Harvard University. He took up the practice of law in Boston and soon became recognized as a public speaker of force and eloquence. In 1852 he was elected to the state senate of Massachusetts and two years later was elected to congress. he was appointed by President Lincoln in 1861 as minister to Austria. He had proceeded as far as Paris on his mission when it was announced that Austria refused to accept him on account of some of his speeches made in congress. While his views on certain questions condemned him in the eyes of Austria, he found favor everywhere else, and he was immediately appointed by President Lincoln as minister to China. It is impossible in a small space to tell of the magnitude or value of the labors of Anson Burlingame in China. At this time, China had not been opened to the world and its people were suspicious of foreign influence. Mr. Burlingame had not been in China long before a complete transformation took place. Whether it was his attractive personality and pleasant manner, or his frank and open methods which found such favor there we do not know, but we do know that he became immensely popular and held the confidence and friendship, not only of the representatives of all nations, but particularly of the Regent (the Emperor being an infant) and of the Great Council of China.
When, in the year 1867, Burlingame desired to retire from his post, a most distinguished honor was conferred upon him. He was requested by the Chinese government to represent the Chinese kingdom as its minister with full power, to go to the United States and to all countries with which China had treaty relations for the purpose of bringing about new treaties which would secure closer commercial relations and more friendly intercourse. Accompanied by two Chinese ministers of lesser rank, aids, secretaries, interpreters and an imposing retinue, the embassy crossed the Pacific and landed at San Francisco, where a great ovation was rendered Burlingame and his retinue. They proceeded to Washington on their mission and while in the United States, every honor was shown them and they were lavishly entertained in New York and Boston. The embassy later crossed the Atlantic, visited England, Holland, France and other European countries, finally reaching Russia, where Mr. Burlingame was taken ill and died at St. Petersburg, at the age of 49 years. His body was brought to his own country and laid at rest at Cambridge, Mass. A memorial boulder and tablet were erected to his memory on the schoolhouse grounds at New Berlin in 1908.
David Maydole
Another name that has become world renowned is that of our own David Maydole, founder of the Maydole Hammer factory in 1840. He learned the blacksmith's' trade at an early age and at that time blacksmiths made their own hammers, and were greatly trouble by the heads of the hammers flying off. Maydole became interested in making a hammer for his own use which would keep its head under all conditions. He also perfected the processes then in use for tempering the steel. One day, when asked by a friend to make a hammer a little better than he had made before, he replied, "I can't make any better ones. When I make a thing I make it as well as I can, no matter who it is made for." David Maydole's best has ever been the best hammer made in the world. An exhibit of each kind of hammer made by the Maydole Hammer factory can be found in the National Museum at Washington.
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So far as I can learn Chenango County has yet to produce a president, vice president or a governor. We have, however, furnished this state with two lieutenant governors, the first John Tracy of Oxford and the second Daniel S. Dickinson of Guilford.
John Tracy
Lieutenant Governor John Tracy, who was greatly honored and respected not only in his home county, but in the councils of the state, came to the town of Columbus at an early age from Norwich, Conn. He moved to Oxford [Chenango Co. NY] in 1805 to become deputy country clerk. In Oxford he began the study of law and soon became a successful practitioner and on account of his ability, integrity and sound judgement was persuaded to enter public life. In 1815 he became surrogate of the county and held office for four years. He later was chosen as member of assembly and held other county offices. In 1832 he was elected lieutenant governor with William L. Marcy as governor and with Mr. Marcy was re-elected in 1834 and 1835. He was elected a delegate to the convention for revision of the constitution of the state and was chosen by the convention as its presiding officer. He later returned to private life in Oxford, where he died in 1864.
Daniel S. Dickinson
While Daniel S. Dickinson was not born in Chenango County he has always been accredited to this county as one of its honored sons. He was born at Goshen, N.Y. in 1800 and came to the town of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY] with his father seven years later. At the age of 21 he became a schoolteacher and in 1826 commenced the study of law at Norwich with Lott Clark and John Clapp, still devoting three months of each winter by teaching school.
He was a brilliant student and after two years study was admitted to practice. For six years he practiced law at Guilford Centre, which was then a thriving settlement. He later sought a broader field and moved to Binghamton where he continued to reside until his death. He served as state senator, judge of the court of errors, was lieutenant governor from 1842 to 1844. He was United States' senator for seven years from 1844 to 1851 and in 1851 was elected attorney general of the state. In 1865 he was appointed by President Lincoln as United States district attorney for the southern district of New York. Before accepting this last position, he had declined several appointments tendered by the president of the United States and the governor of this state. He died suddenly in New York City in 1866.
John Randall
Chenango County has ever figured largely in the military affairs of the nation. When the war of 1812 broke out, the citizens of Chenango County with companies from Broome and Tioga Counties mustered a regiment with John Randall of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] as its major. Major Randall had served as a colonel in the Revolutionary War and many of the members of the regiment were descendants of the men of '76.
Obadiah German
General Obadiah German came to Chenango County from Dutchess County and settled on the site of North Norwich. He was the first merchant in that town. He was a militia general and in his day was one of the most prominent men in the western part of the state. He represented this county in the state assembly for eight years and served as United Stated senator for 16 years. Owing to his vote against the war of 1812 he became unpopular and was retired. The town of German in this county is said to have been named for him.
Elisha B. Smith
Colonel Elisha B. Smith, born in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] in 1817 was in the political life of the country at an early age. He served as a delegate to the convention for the revision of the state constitution and two years later as delegate to the national convention. When the Civil War broke out, he became the colonel of the 114th regiment.
William B. Guernsey
Colonel William B. Guernsey, while a lawyer, was an inventor of some note. He enlisted early in the war for the Union and became lieutenant colonel and later colonel. During the war just past [WWI], Chenango distinguished herself by having men in all ranks and in all branches of the service. Today [1921] Chenango County has to her credit a colonel, two majors in the army and a commander in the navy. These are all young men who by their own work and ability will continue to go upward in their branch of the service.
Francis L. Hine
There are a number of men from this county who are playing large parts in the world of finance. Francis L. Hine, president of the Frist National Bank of New York City and director of the National Biscuit Co., U.S. Rubber Co. &c, received his early education at Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].
Prominent Financiers
William H. Moore of Greene [Chenango Co. NY] and Gage E. Tarbell of Smithville [Chenango Co. NY have been prominent in large financial dealings.
Rufus Henry Guilbert
Rufus Henry Guilbert, an American inventor of note, was born in Guilford [Chenango Co. NY] in 1832. He died in New Yori City in 1885. He was a graduate of the College of P.&S. and served as a surgeon in the Union army, later being appointed superintendent and medical director of the United States army hospitals. Owing to the failure of his health, he abandoned the practice of his profession and engaged in the railroad business, making a special study of the needs of rapid transit. As a result, he devised the elevated railway and under his direction the Sixth avenue elevated railway in New York City, then known as the Guilbert Elevated Railway, was constructed.
Charles B. Dudley
Charles B. Dudley, Ph.D. was born at Oxford [Chenango Co. NY] in 1842. He was educated at the Oxford academy. He enlisted with the 114th regiment, N.Y.V. and was seriously wounded in a battle in the Shenandoah valley. After his recovery he was mustered out and returned to Oxford where he continued his studies in preparation for a college course. He graduated from Yale in the class of 1871. He later entered the Sheffield School of Yale college and graduated with the degree of Ph. D. In 1875 he was invited to accept the position of chemist for the Pennsylvania railroad. He accepted and was the first chemist to be regularly employed by a any railroad. Much of his important work was the study of steel rails and the making of specifications for materials. He was sent to Russia in 1886 to study oil burning on locomotives. He became a member of French, English and German chemical societies and of the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain. His death occurred a few years ago [Dec. 21, 1909].
Frederick C. Coville
Frederick C. Coville, a botanist of note, was born at Preston [Chenango Co. NY], March 23, 1867. He attended the Oxford academy and graduated from Cornell in 1887. After serving a year as instructor, he became connected with the U.S. department of agriculture. After five years of service in the department he was made curator of the U.S. National Herbarium Museum. In 1890-91, he served as botanist of the Death Valley Expedition to California. He has traveled extensively on botanical investigations of the deserts and other remote portions of the western United States and Alaska. Mr. Coville has published many papers on botany, among them being "Botany of the Death Valley expedition." He is a member of the board of managers of the National Geographic Society and a frequent contributor to the magazine.
Dr. Joseph D. Bryant
Dr. Joseph Decatur Bryant was born in the state of Wisconsin in 1845 but received his early education at the Norwich academy [Chenango Co. NY]. He studied medicine at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and received his degree in 1868. In 1871 he became assistant to the chair of anatomy and made surgery his specialty. At different times he held high office in the New York City health department and was for many years commissioner of the state board of health. In 1882 he was appointed by Governor Cleveland surgeon general of the state. He was widely known as the personal friend and private physician of President Cleveland. He was attending and visiting surgeon in many of the important hospitals in New York City and was the author of a number of books and monographs on surgery. His death occurred April 7, 1914.
John Cutler Covert
John Cutler Covert was born in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] in 1839. He became a printer and later an editor, at one time editing the Cleveland Leader. In 1897 he was appointed by President McKinley as counsel of the United States at Lyons, France. He made a walking tour of France and made this the subject of a lecture which he delivered in all of the principal American cities. He was decorated by the French government.
Hubert Anson Newton
Hubert Anson Newton, a noted astronomer and mathematician was born in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY]. He graduated from Yale university in 1850 and five years later was appointed professor of mathematics. He made a special study of meteors and comets and on these subjects became a worldwide authority. He won from the National Academy of Sciences a gold medal for research on meteors. He was born in 1830 and died in 1896.
DeVolson Wood
DeVolson Wood (1832-1897) was an engineer, physicist and teacher. He was born at Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], educated at the Albany Normal School and at the Rensselaer Institute at Troy. He became professor of civil engineering in the University of Michigan and later occupied the chair in mathematics at Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken until 1885 and of mechanical engineering until his death in 1897. He was the author of many books on mechanics and also invented a rock drill, an air compressor and a steam pump.
Daniel & Maria Louise Wagner
Daniel Wagner was born in Massachusetts, but at the age of four years cmae with his parents to a farm in Preston [Chenango Co. NY], where his sister Maria Louise was born in 1816. Daniel Wagner for several years was afflicted with a hip trouble which confined him to his bed, and in order to occupy his time took up the drawing of silhouettes. His sister aided him in his studies, and after a time they attempted watercolors and miniatures. They were soon impressed with the idea that they had talent and made every effort to perfect themselves. After years of struggle, they went to Albany, where they launched out in a successful career of portrait painting in miniature. They made portraits of Daniel Webster, Jennie Lind, Millard Filmore and family, Martin Van Buren, President Madison, Roscoe Conklin and many other prominent people. It is authoritatively stated that the Wagner miniatures are unequalled in America. In 1862 they moved to New York City, where Miss Wagner became successful in painting landscapes in oil, having a large landscape exhibited at the Centennial exposition. In 1870 they moved to Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] where they devoted much time to painting and teaching. They both died in the year 1888.
Tompkins Harrison Matteson
Another portrait painter who achieved considerable fame was Tompkins Harrison Matteson, who died in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY] in 1884. He was born in Peterborough, Madison County, and from early boyhood was an enthusiastic student of art. It's said that he learned the rudiments of his art from an Indian who was famous for his carving and drawing. He began to paint portraits in 1839 and was brought into favorable notice by his well-known painting the "Spirit of '76" which was purchased by the American Art Union. He removed to New York and studied with the National Academy of which he became an associate. From 1851 until his death, he resided in Sherburne. His works include the "First Sabbath of the Pilgrims."
Simeon B. Marsh
Simeon B. Marsh, composer of the well-known tune "Martin" to which "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" is generally sung, was at one time a singing teacher in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].
John Prindle Scott
Our own John Prindle Scott is too well-known to need any words from me. He is recognized as one of the leading composers of the day and is particularly known for his composition of sacred songs. A late number of Musical America in an illustrated article tells of his achievements in musical composition.
William Eugene Johnson
William Eugene Johnson, better known as "Pussyfoot" Johnson, journalist, government official and Prohibition advocate, was born in Coventry [Chenango Co. NY], March 25, 1862. He was educated in the public schools of this county and later attended the university of Nebraska. He became a newspaper writer and devoted his energies to the cause of Prohibition. Mr. Johnson gathered evidence for the government in the case of South Carolina vs. the United States, which resulted in a victory for the government. He was appointed by the secretary of the interior as a special agent to look after the liquor traffic in the Indian territory and Oklahoma. His late exploits have been given so prominent a place in newspapers and magazines that I refrain from further comment.
David L. Follett
In political life, as we have already seen, Chenango County has always been well represented. In 1874 Judge David L. Follett was elected a judge of the supreme court and later was assigned as acting chief judge of the court of appeals, the highest court in the state.
George W. Ray
Judge George W. Ray was born in Otselic [Chenango Co. NY]. He served as a member of Congress for 14 years, the longest term ever served by a member form this district. He is at present [in 1921] a U.S. district judge.
Albert F. Gladding
Judge Albert F Gladding born in Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY] was for many years county judge and surrogate of his county and later served as a justice of the supreme court for the sixth judicial district.
Others Mentioned
While not born in this county, I wish to mention two men who achieved political fame and who received their education at Oxford Academy [Chenango Co. NY]. I refer to Governor Horatio Seymour and Charlemane Tower, ambassador to Germany.
William R. Wilcox
William R. Wilcox, both in Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY] has served as postmaster of the city of New York, president of the park board, public service commissioner, and has held many other responsible position s.
Frank B. Gilbert
Frank B. Gilbert, a former Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY] man, has for many years held a responsible position under the regents of the University of the State of New York. He has recently been appointed acting president of the board of regents and state commissioner of education.
Miss L. Belle Sage
There is another prominent educator whom I desire to call your attention. Miss L. Belle Sage for a number of years science teacher in our high school, achieved to great heights along educational lines in the city of New York. On the day of her funeral in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] all the flags on the public schools of New York City were ordered to be flown at half mast, and a delegation representing the schools of that city attended her funeral in Norwich.
Joseph Smith
It is a fact worthy of note that a portion of the early career of Joseph Smith, the author and founder of Mormonism was spent in Afton, Chenango County. It is related that while residing in that town he attempted to demonstrate his supernatural ability to walk on water. The first performance took place at evening and was wholly successful. A second demonstration was attempted at a later date. He had proceeded some distance into the river when he suddenly sank, much to the chagrin of himself and followers, but to the great amusement of his audience. It was found on investigation that some wicked small boys had removed one of the planks which he had carefully laid a few inches below the surface of the water. The golden plates from which the Mormon Bible is translated are supposed to have been dug out of a cave in a hill at Afton. The fact remains that the caves actually exist. Sometime after the California gold rush in 1849, Smith and his followers crossed the plains to Utah.
Before leaving this subject, it is well to note that some old histories state that Brigham Young, another Mormon apostle, lived at one time in Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY].
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In closing I can only say that I can make no claim that I have mentioned all the "famous people" we have given to the world. I have searched diligently and have examined every authority I could find on the subject. Whether the list is complete or not, it certainly proves beyond question that Old Chenango has a right to be proud of its record of having sheltered and produced many men and women who have distinguished themselves in larger fields.
