Part III - Family Sketches
Weatherell-Willson

WEATHERELL, William H., was born in England, May 14, 1833, and came to this country in 1853, settling in Elmira. He married Miss PARK, of England, before coming to this country, and in 1879 he settled in this county, town of Newfield, buying the two mills of the place, both of which he operated for some time, now owning the lower one. This mill has a capacity of twenty barrels of wheat flour and 300 bushels of buckwheat, making twenty-five pounds to the bushel. Mr. WEATHERELL has had six children, three surviving. One son and one daughter live at home. In connection with his mill Mr. WEATHERELL has a machine for cutting and making shingles, which is proving a good departure. They have a capacity for making about 15,000 every ten hours.

WEBB, Frederick M., was born in Caroline, February 15, 1822. Peter WEBB, his father, was born in Virginia, being brought to this county in 1805 by John James SPEED at the age of fifteen as a slave. He was placed on a farm between Caroline and Slaterville. and remained with Mr. SPEED until he became of age, then he bought his time, paying $384. He was married in 1819 to a slave belonging to Charles PATILLO, who was brought here when she was eight years old with twenty other slaves, who procured their freedom through the neglect of their master to register them. They had eleven children, of whom our subject was the second. His mother was living as a slave when he was born. His property comprised part of the farm known as the old SPEED place, where his mother worked as a slave. In 1852 he married Lucina BARTON, of Union, Broome county, by whom he had two children: Simon Peter and Mabel L., having lost six children. The son follows farming while the daughter is a successful teacher of music, having attended the conservatory at Ithaca. They are members of the Baptist church at Brookton. Mr. WEBB was a Republican. He died December 15, 1893, aged seventy-one years, ten months and one day.

WEED, William M., was born in Danby, February 14, 1821. His father, Munson WEED, came to this town in 1818, and laid the foundation of his education in the old school house. At the age of twenty-three he married Fannie SPAULDING, daughter of James SPAULDING, of Danby. He is a Republican in politics, and takes an active and intelligent interest in school and religious matters. Mr. and Mrs. WEED are the parents of four children, two sons, Henry C. and Charles J., and two daughters, Mrs. Velma L. HUTCHINGS and Mrs. Libbie I. PATCHEN. In 1845 he bought a part of his father's farm, and has since bought 100 acres which he added to his other estate, having 153 acres, on which he resides and raises large amounts of hay, grain and stock. Our subject is recognized in his town as a man of sterling worth, and as a practical and successful farmer.

WELCH, John B., was born in Danby June 4, 1850, educated in common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and observation. He married when twenty-three years of age Cora Belle MANNING, daughter of Silas MANNING, who is now seventy-four years old, and who was born in this town. His father, John MANNING was one of the earliest settlers in the town, buying a portion of the old WATKINS & FLINT tract. Our subject purchased and now resides on the same farm, which through his wife has been in the family since 1806. They have one son, John B. WELCH. He is a Republican in politics and takes an active interest in educational and religious matters, having been trustee and steward in the M. E. church in Danby. Mr. WELCH is recognized in his town as a man of sterling worth, and as a practical and successful farmer.

WELCH, William M., was born in Herkimer County, January 16, 1821, and was educated in the common schools. He was a son of Walter B., who moved into the town of Dryden, and afterward to Danby, where he died in 1863. William M. married, at the age of twenty-eight, a Miss APGAR, who died, and he married second, March 17, 1867, Naomi A. daughter of William SPAULDING of the town of Caroline. They had four children, of whom James B., William S., and Florence A. are now living. One daughter, Philma, died aged twenty-two years. In 1869 Mr. WELCH bought the Abram GARDNER property of ninety-two acres, and also part of the HUTCHENS farm. Afterward he bought part of the MANDEVILLE estate, and the same year purchased a portion of the HART place, where he now lives, having 200 acres of some of the best farm land in the town, on which he raises large amounts of hay, grain and stock. Our subject is a conservative, practical farmer, taking a deep interest in the leading events of the day.

WHEELER, D. T., was as born in the town of Dryden, November 24, 1855, and was educated in the Dryden Union School, and afterwards took a course of instruction in Lowell's Business College at Binghamton. After leaving school he went to work in the mercantile trade, and in 1889 went into business for himself, and now carries the largest line of dry goods and general merchandise in the town of Dryden. At the age of twenty-two he married Miss Carrie GASTON, daughter of Edmund GASTON, of the town of Dryden, and they are the parents of two children, one daughter, Georgia, and one son, Meritt. He takes the Republican side in politics, also an active interest in educational and religious matters, being interested in the advancement of his town and being recognized as a conservative and substantial citizen.

WHEELER, Levi J., was born in Farmer Village, April 23, 1844; was educated in the public schools, removed to Trumansburgh in the fall of 1861, and embarked in the mercantile business first as clerk and afterwards on his own account. This he continued until 1884. In 1885 he established the banking house of L. J. WHEELER & Co., and has since carried on the banking business with much success. Mr. WHEELER has been prominent in all public enterprises in Trumansburgh, having been instrumental in the erection of the new Union School and Academy building, and is still president of the Board of Education.

WHEELER, Seth, was born in Boston in 1756, and died in 1827. When nineteen years of age he enlisted in the Revolutionary War and served all through the war. When he came home he went to New Hampshire and took up a farm and married a lady from Boston by the name of Rebecca ELLIOT. They moved to Dryden in 1804, and had a family of ten children. They came with three horses and a yoke of oxen, two covered wagons, and were twenty-one days on the road; his farm being near Dryden Springs. Their oldest child, Rebecca, married a man by the name of Elisaph SANFORD, who stood on the first church steeple in Dryden and swung a jug over his head after the church was raised, later moving to Steuben, where he died, leaving a large family. The next, Betsey, married Jared TODD in West Dryden, raised a large family, and moved to Michigan. Susan married a Mr. COURTRIGHT from Owego, moved to Ohio, died, and left three daughters. Lucy married Mr. PETIGREW, they both died in Owego, leaving one son; a daughter of this son married Frank CORNELL, of Ithaca. Seth married but left no children. Enos married a Miss BLAIR, had nine children, who are all settled not far from Dryden. Polly never married, and died at Dryden. John married Eliza BLAIR, had eight children, and died in Seneca County. Selinda married Marsden BLAIR; he died a number of years ago; she is still living at the age of ninety-five years. Anna married Anson COOK, moved to Michigan, where both died, leaving two daughters. Elliot B. WHEELER, son of Enos, who is seventy-six years old, lives two and one-half miles north of McLean. He married first Mary Jane LORMOR, of Dryden, and second Sarah CRITTENDEN, youngest daughter of Asa CRITTENDEN. Orrin married Mary BARTHOLOMEW, of Dryden; he is dead. They had one son, with whom his mother is living. Delany married Leonard GRISWOLD, of Dryden, both living. Emory married Elizabeth STEWART, they live in Dryden. Elson lost his first wife, then married Sarah BRIGHAM; live in Dryden. Edson, the twin brother of Elson, is dead. Almon married a Miss STEWART, and lives not far from Elmira with his daughter, his wife being dead. Ambros married and lives near Marathon, N.Y. Dora Ann married Daniel BARTHOLOMEW, they live in Dryden village.

WHITE, D. M., was born in Monroeton, Bradford county, Pa., March 29,1852. John, father of our subject, was born in Caroline, and was a farmer, now owning a farm in Bradford County, where he lives. He has been four times married. Our subject's mother, Sophia MINGUS, daughter of John MINGUS, was a native of Bradford county, Pa. D. M. was only an infant when he went to five with his grandfather, Sylvester WHITE, and where he lived till the age of seventeen years, then he went to live with an uncle in Caroline. He worked at milling until nineteen years old, and then started out for himself, entering a machine shop in Bridgeport, Conn., where he took the place of an experienced hand, and worked five years. He next returned to Brookton for a year, and then went to Tioga County, where he worked at carpentry two years. He came to Caroline where he still continued at carpentry and building for five years, and connected with his trade the saw mill at Brookton, which he operated nine years. Mr. WHITE built a fine residence in this town a few years ago, in which he now resides. He is a Republican, and has served as commissioner and postmaster.

WHITE, David, M.D., was born in Delhi, Delaware county, N. Y., June 20, 1834, a son of James WHITE a farmer. The doctor was educated in the academy and high school of his native town. He began the study of medicine in 1855 in the office of Dr. J. O. HILL of Farmer Village, with whom he remained two years and then entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, graduating in February, 1859. After spending one year with Dr. HILL he practiced two years in Danby and one year in Trumansburgh. In May, 1864, he came to Ithaca where he has ever since been located. He was married in 1860 to Antoinette J. CRANDALL of Delaware County. They have three children.

WHITE, Walter Watts, was a native of Windsor, Mass, born July 14, 1812. He was a farmer, and in his native State married Laura BLISS, after which he came to Groton and located on a farm south of the principal village. Their only child was Ellen D. WHITE, who married James H. ELDRIDGE. The latter was a native of Washington county, N.Y., born in 1829, and when a lad came with his father, Thomas ELDRIDGE, and settled in the west part of Groton. The family afterward moved to Pennsylvania, but James remained in this town. In 1863 Mr. ELDRIDGE enlisted in Co. K, 137th N.Y. Vols. but after a year of service, although a strong man in former years, he was discharged for disabilities. He never afterward regained his full health, and was obliged to abandon farming as an occupation. He kept a hotel in Steuben county a few years, and died in 1869.

WHITLOCK, Charles E., was born in the town of Ithaca, February 12, 1855. Abram B. WHITLOCK, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in October, 1832. He was only six years of age when his parents moved into this county and settled in the village of Ithaca, where Abram was reared and educated in the old Lancasterian School. His first occupation was that of a clerk in SCRIBNER's drug store, and having ability as a musician he followed it as a profession. About 1867 he was as appointed agent for the United States Express Company, a position which be held up to the time of his death, which occurred March 25, 1887. He was a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the St. Augustine Commandery. He was the father of two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other was our subject. Charles was educated in the old Ithaca Academy, and after leaving school he followed in his father's footsteps and was six years in the drug business, first with W. S. MANDEVILLE and afterwards with GAUNTLETT & BROOKS. In 1877 he was made the clerk of the United States Express Company under his father, a position which he held for twelve years, and then went to Syracuse to take the position of cashier in the National Express Company, where he was employed for two years, and on January 1, 1893, he was appointed agent for the Ithaca office of the National Company. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 51, F. & A. M. Eagle Chapter, Ithaca Council, St. Augustine Commandery and also of the Knights of Pythias. He was twice married, first in 1878 to Alberta GOLDSMID, who died in 1884, leaving one daughter. He married again in 1887 Ella McCARTHY, of Watertown, N.Y. They also have one daughter.

WHITLOCK, Lorenzo R., born March 2, 1849, in Ithaca, received his early education in the district schools, but was as soon called from school to assist his father on the farm upon whose death, at the age of sixty-three, he took the entire control. Subject's mother was born in Lansing, Tompkins County, and lived to the age of ninety years, eighty-five of which was spent in Ithaca. Mr. WHITLOCK has given his attention to farming throughout his life, but takes an active interest in educational and political matters, being a Republican. He has also thoroughly identified himself with the Aurora Street Methodist church in Ithaca, of which he has been a consistent member for twenty years.

WHITNEY, M. C., was as born in Steuben county, September 17, 1828. John, his father, was a native of Pawling, N.Y., born February 3, 1802, who came to this county in 1818 with his father, Daniel WHITNEY. His mother was Lydia NEWBURY, who lived to be 103 years old. John WHITNEY married, November 22, 1827, Lucinda, daughter of Moses LOVELL, her father being a pioneer settler of Tompkins county. They had ten children, of whom our subject was the oldest. He was educated in the public schools at Newfield and Enfield, and married October 13, 1850, Eliza DURAND, of this county, daughter of Samuel DURAND, and they have three children: Frank C. is a graduate of Cornell University, and taught for four years. He taught language in the Ithaca High School, and was principal for two years in a school in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, when he entered the Theological Seminary and fitted himself for the ministry, being now a Baptist preacher in Minnesota. The two daughters have both taught school, and both are now married.

WILCOX, Charles Henry, was born in Lansing, on the farm he now owns, February 4, 1837, a son of Willard, a native of New Bedford, Mass., who came to Genoa when a young man, and made his home with his uncle, Jeremiah WILCOX, until his marriage when he lived on a portion of his uncle's farm, by himself, and at the death of his uncle he inherited the homestead. He married Ann BROWN, of Venice, by whom he had five children, two of whom reached maturity: C. H. and William. He died in 1870, and his wife in 1889. Benjamin WILCOX, grandfather of Charles, was a native of New Bedford, Mass., where he lived and died. Charles H. was educated in the common schools and the Genoa and Groton Academies. At the age of twenty-one he started farming for himself on a portion of his father's farm. In 1890 (sic) he bought with Charles A. BUSH, the Clinton House in Ithaca, which they conducted four years, then Mr. WILCOX sold his interest, and in 1886 he and his brother interested themselves in the breeding of trotting horses. Their first horses they brought from Kentucky, among them being the stallion Scott, which they had the misfortune to lose in 1893, their stud being headed by Onward Chief. They own about sixty head of Hambletonian colts and horses, their farms being known as the WILCOX Brothers' Stock Farms. They are already well known as producers of fast horses, many of their horses having been winners. Mr. WILCOX married in 1857 Dorothy, daughter of Ezekiel and Catharine OZMUN, of Lansing, and they have had three children, who died in infancy, and one son, Fred, born March 1, 1882. Mr. WILCOX is a Free Mason, and a Republican in politics.

WILCOX, Roswell, deceased, was born in the town of Ulysses, near Taughannock Falls, March 7, 1828, was educated in the common schools and Trumansburgh Academy, and followed farming. December 29, 1853, he married Cornelia, daughter of Smith NORTON, of his native town, and they had two children: Fred E., born August 5, 1855, died June 21, 1888, and Flora C., who married George H. FOWLER, of this town; they have two children: Lulu M., and Harry S. Mr. FOWLER is a manufacturer of wagons, agricultural articles, etc., and is also a coal dealer at Taughannock Falls under the firm name of G. H. FOWLER & Co. Mr. WILCOX died January 19, 1886. He gave the right of way through his farm to the Geneva, Ithaca and Sayre Railroad in 1872, and he was the first station agent at Taughannock Falls; also kept the first post-office there. His father, Elisha, was born September 28, 1804, and was a pioneer of the town. Mrs. WILCOX's father, Smith NORTON, was born in New Jersey, February 18, 1792, and came here when a boy with his parents. He married Abigail HILDRETH, and they had ten children: Hannah, Jerusha, Jane, Malissa, Christine, Jehiel, Jonathan, Statia A., Cornelia and Clara. The father, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, died June 6, 1880, and the mother August 31, 1877.

WILCOX, William H., was born April 6, 1841, on the farm where he now resides, in the town of Danby, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-seven married Mary E., daughter of Reuben MEEKER, also of this town. They had one son, who was killed at the age of nineteen, by the accidental discharge of a cannon. Mr. WILCOX is a Republican in politics, and takes an active and intelligent interest in all educational and religious matters, being trustee and steward of the M. E. church in South Danby. Our subject is one of the leading farmers in his part of the town, having a fine farm of 125 acres on which he raises large quantities of grain, hay and stock.

WILLEY, Albert L., was born in Freeville, January 18, 1855. His father, Samuel B. WILLEY, settled where he now lives in 1825, coming from Ulster county to the town of Dryden, and has always been prominently identified in advancing the interests of his town, and for many years was as interested in various business enterprises of the village. He built the first store, and for two years carried the mail from Etna to Freeville, gratis, and assisted in establishing the first post-office in his grist mill. Our subject was educated in the common schools and finished at the Dryden Academy under Jackson GRAVES. In 1874 he bought the Freeville mill property, which he sold in 1876 to Elias GIBBS. At the age of twenty he married Helen E., daughter of Richard HEAD, of Lansing, and they are the parents of three sons: Horace N., F. Ray, and Clarence A. Our subject is one of the most active business men of his town, taking an active interest in advancing its best interests and in educational and religious matters, being a member of the M. E. Church of Freeville, which his father assisted in building, and which was the first church built in the village in the year 1848.

WILLEY, F. R., was born in the town of Dryden, January 29, 1871, and was educated in the common schools, to which he has added by an intelligent course of reading and close observation. At the age of twenty he married Nettle SAGER, of Dryden, and they are the parents of one daughter, Helen. He takes the Democratic side in politics, and an active interest in church and school matters. In 1892 he bought a half interest in the general merchandise stock of SHAVER & WILLEY, and in 1893 purchased the interest of his brother, which he now conducts alone. having a large stock of dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and has doubled the volume of his business. Our subject is recognized in his town as a merchant of ability, and progressive ideas, taking a prominent part in advancing its best interests.

WILLIAMS, Barnum R., who for thirty or more years has been identified with various business and political interests of Tompkins county, was a native of Herkimer county, born March 14, 1836. His parents were Ralph and Matilda (TAYLOR) WILLIAMS, and of their four children he was the youngest. He was brought up on a farm and from early youth had to earn his own way in life. In 1853 he came to Groton and attended the academy, his brother being its principal at that time, and later on our subject taught a winter term of school. Still later he worked as a machinist in the Separator shop, where he remained until 1862, then going to Ithaca, where he was employed in the office of the county clerk, Mr. DELANO. Three months afterward he purchased an interest in the Tompkins County Democrat, which he conducted until February, 1863, and then united that paper with the American Citizen, which he published under the name of Citizen and Democrat. The name, however, was subsequently changed to Ithaca Democrat, by which it is still known. Mr. WILLIAMS continued with the paper until 1872, then retired, and for three years was chief of the Ithaca police, then bookkeeper for REYNOLDS & LANG, and then became deputy county clerk during Mr. PARTENHEIMER's term of office. During his residence in Ithaca Mr. WILLIAMS was five years clerk of the village, and four years chief of the Fire Department, and in connection served one year as president of the State Firemen's Association. In 1887 he returned to Groton and became secretary of the Groton Bridge and Manufacturing Company, which latter position he still holds. Mr. WILLIAMS has always been a firm Democrat, and as such received the nomination for the shrievalty in 1890. The standing majority against his party in the county is about 1200, and although defeated at the polls the majority against him was only about 600, he carrying two districts of the strong Republican town of Groton. For three years Mr. WILLIAMS was a member of the Board of Education of Groton village. In 1859 he married Rosa K. NOBLE, of Auburn, and they have one child by adoption.

WILLIAMS, C. D., was born in the town of Virgil, August 19,1847, and was educated in the common and graded schools. After leaving school he learned the marble cutter's trade, which he followed at the bench for eighteen years, doing business for himself. In 1872 he came to the town of Dryden and established a marble and granite works, importing his own stock, and also handling all varieties of native stone, and having also a large plant at Trumansburgh. At the age of twenty-four he married Miss Emma A. TRAPP, daughter of Jesse TRAPP, of Virgil, and they have two sons: George and Charles, jr. He takes the Republican side in politics, and although he has passed a very busy business life, he has found time to take an active interest in religious and educational matters, having been a member of the Board of Education of Dryden for the past ten years. The eldest son, George, first graduated from the Dryden High School, and evincing talent in elocution he then went to the New England Conservatory of Music and Elocution at Boston, from which he graduated in June, 1894, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

WILLIAMS, De Forest, was born in Ithaca, August 5, 1832, the youngest of three children of Levi WILLIAMS, a native of Saratoga county, who came to this country in1806, when he was but seven years of age. His father, Thomas WILLIAMS, was a millwright, and erected the earliest mills in this section. Levi WILLIAMS was a man of considerable prominence in his town, and commanded the respect and esteem of his neighbors. At the time of his death he owned about 600 acres of land. The old homestead is now occupied by Thomas J., the brother of De Forest. Levi W. died January 25, 1884. Our subject's early education was derived at the common schools and Ithaca Academy, and began farming at an early age. The years of 1856-57 he spent in Minnesota, and in 1885 he accepted the position of superintendent of the Ithaca Glass Company, which he filled for two years. Mr. WILLIAMS has always been a Republican, but would never become an aspirant for political office. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. & A. M., Eagle Chapter No. 58, St. Augustine Commander No. 38, and Mystic Shrine of Syracuse, taking his thirty-second degree in 1877. Mr. WILLIAMS married in 1870 Ann Eliza, daughter of Andrew WILSON, of Ulysses.

WILLIAMS, George 0., was born February 25, 1870, on the farm where he now lives. He was educated in the city of Ithaca and finished in the academy at that place under Prof. L.C. FOSTER, superintendent of schools. At the age of twenty-one our subject married Mary E., daughter of Joseph ALLEN, of the town of Newfield. Mr. WILLIAMS is one of the largest farmers in the town of Ithaca, raising hay and grain, but making a specialty of tobacco, and also supplying a large number of people in Ithaca with sweet cream, the product being about forty quarts per day. In politics he is a Republican. The father of our subject was born on the same farm where he now resides in 1825, and with George 0. (who now carries on both his own and his father's farms), has always taken a prominent position in the town.

WILLIAMS, Nathan, of Lansing, was born October 23, 1847, the son of Egbert WILLIAMS of this town, born June 10, 1817, in a log cabin, where now stands the fine residence of our subject. He spent his whole life in Lansing. He was bound out to do farm work until he was sixteen, when he began for himself. He worked on shares for a few years, when he purchased a small tract of timber land, which he cleared and sold, then bought another farm on which he lived three years, when he sold and moved to a larger one, where he resided five years, during which time he purchased a half interest in a saw mill. Two years later he purchased his partner's interest in the mill. This he conducted eight years, then sold the mill. He finally bought the homestead farm of fifty acres, and here spent the remainder of his days. During war time he took an active part in securing recruits for the Union army. He was justice of the peace, assessor, notary public, etc. He married Louise, daughter of Echobit BEARDSLEY of Newfield, and they raised seven children: Ann Eliza, Nathan, Frank, died at four; Margarette, Estira C., Charles E. and Egbert A. (deceased). The father died in June, 1889, and the mother in April, 1892. Our subject was educated in the common and high schools, and remained with his father until he was twenty-one, when he began for himself by operating one of his father's farms, where he remained ten years. He then went to Maryland, but after two years he returned to Lansing and soon after rented a store in East Genoa and engaged in the general mercantile business for two years. He sold and engaged as traveling salesman four years, when he turned his attention again to farming. After his father's death he removed to Groton and followed carpentry for a year, when he purchased a bakery in this place which he conducted two years, then sold in 1893 and purchased the old homestead, on which he now resides. He married first in 1867 Laura A., daughter of Charles FRANCIS of Groton, and they had three children: Alida M., born in 1870, wife of Alvin B. TEETER of Groton; Lillie B., born in 1872, wife of John BETTS of Groton; and Charles F., born in 1876. Mrs. WILLIAMS died in 1884; and he married second Edith M., daughter of Charles and Mary Ann FRITTS of Ludlowville. She was born September 12, 1861. Our subject is an Odd Fellow and a Republican. Mrs. WILLIAMS's mother died October 15, 1879. Five months later her father was instantly killed by being caught by a belt and thrown on to a circular saw.

WILLIS, Morris S., of Lansing. was born in Enfield in 1848, the son of John H. and Caroline (MARSHALL) WILLIS. His grandparents were John and Mary (SIVALLS) WILLIS, natives of New Rochelle, N.Y., who came to Tompkins County in 1838, and settled in Enfield. They raised three children: William, James and John. The latter learned the harnessmaker's trade, which he followed about two years, then went back to the farm. At the death of his father, in 1847, he continued farming on a portion of the homestead. His mother died in October, 1848. He married in September, 1843, Caroline MARSHALL, by whom he had one child, Morris S. The latter was educated at the Angelica Academy, and at the age of twenty returned to the farm and worked with his father about ten years. He then rented a farm for five years on shares, the last year of which he met with an accident which disabled him for physical labor for about four years, and from which he has never fully recovered. In 1886 he purchased a farm of 150 acres with fine, large and commodious buildings, and a stream of water flowing near the buildings, affording sufficient power to grind grain for food and saw wood. Here Mr. WILLIS has ever since resided. He married, December 12, 1877, Ella, daughter of Stephen KENNEDY of Ithaca. She died September 16, 1883, and he married second December 6, 1888, Louisa (NORTON) DRAKE, daughter of Jonathan and Emma NORTON, natives of Lansing. Mr. WILLIS's parents reside with him. He is a member of the Grange, and in politics is a Republican.

WILLSON, Herbert G., was born in the city of Ithaca, March 16, 1865, the youngest son of Wm. W. WILLSON (see biography). Herbert was educated in the common schools and Ithaca High School, and after leaving school he went into his father's store, where he remained until March 15, 1893, when he bought the hat store of Geo. W. CULVER at No. 64 E. State street, where he has since conducted a business. He has a fine store, with twenty-six feet front and fifty feet deep. He carries a complete line of hats, furs, trunks and satchels, and is a representative of "Knox, the Hatter" of New York. Mr. WILLSON is a member of the Presbyterian church, and an active member of the Y.M.C.A. of this city. He was married in 1889, on October 2, to Donna L., daughter of William FREAR (see biography).

WILLSON, William H., was born in Ithaca, November 12, 1840, the oldest son of seven children of William H. WILLSON, and sr. The father was a native of New York City, born in 1810, and settled in Ithaca, in company with M. HAWKINS. He was employed in the manufactor, for a few years and then returned to New York, where he remained, and shortly after settled in Ithaca. Here he followed the hatmaker's trade until 1860. That year he went to Lockport where he spent four years, and then to Hornelleville where he was in business for four years, and then spent five years in the same business; he then returned to Ithaca, where he spent the balance of his days. He died in August, 1892. In politics a staunch Democrat, he filled the office of town collector. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject, Rachael Ann BRADFORD, was also a native of New York City. She died in 1887, at seventy-six years of age. The early life of our subject was spent in Ithaca, where he was educated in the common schools and in 1861 went to Lockport, remaining but a year, when he was burned out. From there he went to Buffalo where for four years he acted as a commercial traveler for a wholesale firm. He was five years with a New York firm and then returned to his native town, where he established the hat and fur store, which he has ever since conducted, on the south side of State street. He carries a full line of hats, furs, robes, blankets trunks, umbrellas, etc. Mr. WILLSON is a Democrat, and has been a hard worker for his party. He has been appointed member of the Health Board, city collector, and school collector. He has also been a delegate to numerous State conventions and a member of the county committee for fifteen years, of which he has been secretary part of the time. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. WILLSON owns a summer cottage at McKinneys, where he spends his vacation. He married, July 11, 1860, Ellen M., daughter of the late Joseph C. BURRITT, and they have two sons.