ORIN RANDALL IN MEMORIAM AND JAMES SUGGETT OBITUARY

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, October 24, 1890.

IN MEMORIAM.

   Orin Randall, whose death occurred Oct. 12th, 1890, was born in the town of Solon, Cortland county, N. Y., Nov. 30th, 1816, and there spent his whole life, a farmer. He was a man of strong physique and robust constitution during his more active life, and until within a few days of his death he retained the strength and vigor of men much younger than himself. From boyhood to old age, his life was one of activity. His integrity and honesty of purpose in all his business affairs, and his frank, prompt and judicious management of all matters entrusted to his care, gave him the confidence of all who knew him.

   For some twelve years Mr. Randall served as one of the assessors of the town of Solon, and he was closely identified with its public business for many years. He, like many others born during the early days of the town's history, lived to see its changes, from almost a solid wilderness to grazing and cultivated fields, and in agricultural pursuits, and all the appointments of the farm he was interested. He was a thorough and intelligent tiller of the soil, and all the surroundings of his homestead bespeak the handy-work of a thrifty, enterprising and careful farmer.

   He succeeded by purchase to the homestead of his father, located about one-half mile east of Solon corners, which he improved and beautified, and on which he erected commodious buildings. There he resided until 1876, when he settled on a small farm near the western line of the town—where his brother William died.

   Mr. Randall received little aid upon starting out in life for himself, but by prudence, economy, and industry, he acquired a competency. He had confidence in mankind generally, and expected from others the same pledges of good faith, and the same reciprocal relations that filled his own disposition. He was an attendant for many years with his family at the Baptist church at Solon, and contributed to the needs of those less favored about him.

   He married in 1841, Lydia, daughter of Josiah Bean, who survives him. They had lived together forty-nine years, and together met the hardships and varying changes in life's uneven journey. Lydia Bean belonged also to one of the old stock families of this county, whose parents were among the early settlers of the town of Solon. Her womanly and christian ways, her warm heartedness to all and her conscientious regard for the right, entitle her to some mention in this sketch.

   Their children are:—Lucius, volunteered in the 185th N. Y. Infantry in 1863, served in Virginia in the army of the Potomac, and was shot in the first engagement at Gravelly Run, near Petersburg, being then in his 21st year of age. Mary is the wife of Vernon H. Palmer, a jeweler of Marathon, N. Y., and Byron H. Randall, a farmer on the old homestead in Solon.

   John, the paternal grandfather of Orin Randall, served as orderly sergeant in the Revolutionary war, and died in Sharon, Conn., where he resided and was a farmer. He had two sons—Henry L. and Jonathan, and several daughters. These sons, born in Sharon, settled in Solon in 1808; Jonathan settled about one half mile south of Solon Corners, on the farm recently occupied by Harvey J. Stone, afterward removed to Canada, where he died leaving a family. The other son Henry L., father of Orin, bought of one Tinker, the property known as the Randall homestead, then containing 50 acres on which was then a log house and barn and six acres of cleared land. On this farm he spent the remainder of his life and died in 1864, aged 87 years. He was well educated for his time, a man of good habits and influence, and reared his children to habits of industry. On account of his being crippled he was freed from military duty. He kept a private school in his own log house for some time, and subsequently was a teacher in the public school at Solon Corners.

   It was at this time that Daniel Copeland, the first landlord of the town, kept a hotel in that vicinity. Henry L. Randall had married Rachel Burnett 1784-1850 of Sharon, who bore him three children there:—Henry G., 1803-1868, who settled on the Morris farm in Solon, where he resided many years, died in Boone Co., Iowa, married Almeda Sanders, and had three children, David, a methodist minister in the west, Minerva was the wife of Wm. Martin of Solon, and died in Chautauqua, N. Y., Abigail, wife of Wm. Barrett, of Boone Co., Iowa, and Gilbert, of the Pacific coast. The second son David, 1804-1860, born in Sharon, settled a homestead just east of his father in Solon, now owned by A. Holden, married Eunice Harvey and had children: Albert, a farmer in the west, Harriet, widow of the late H. H. Cady, of Cortland, George, a farmer in Minnesota. By his second marriage to Lucy Stanley he had one son, Dr. Charles L. Randall, of Dansville, Mich. His third wife, the widow of Nathan Peck, is now a resident of Cortland. William, 1806-1869, third son, married Nancy Harvey, resided in Solon, and had children—James, of Cortland; Sobrina, wife of Ira Stevens, of Solon; and John. By his second wife Betsey Finn he had one son—Myron Randall.

   The eldest daughter of Henry L., born in Sharon—Rachel, 1808-1882, was the wife of Luther W Ballard, of Austin, Ill., where both died. Henry L. Randall's children born in Solon are—Eliza, born in 1810, widow of Septimus Stevens, has resided in Solon her whole life, and has children:—Albert, a miller of Truxton; Chauncey, a lumber merchant of New York city; Jane, Louisa, Luke, Orin, a farmer of the town of Cortlandville, Irving, Helen, Emma and Harriet. The other children of Henry L. are:—Linus, born in 1812, a blacksmith for many years at Solon, settled at Clark, Dakota, Fanny, born in 1818, widow of Alonzo Belden of Downer's Grove, Ill., and Orin Randall, the youngest and subject of this sketch.

   R. T. P.

OBITUARY.

   Mr. James Suggett, who died at his residence, corner of Homer and Maple avenues, in this village last Thursday, was born in the north of England, near Scotland, in 1825. His father died when he was nine months old. When but a lad he assisted in supporting the family and as he grew in years and strength the entire responsibility devolved on his shoulders. He remained with and supported his mother until 1851, when he and his wife came to this country and settled in this village where they have since resided. He invented and patented several valuable devices and was the first patentee of the driven well, having obtained the patent therefor March 29. 1864. The value of this invention has been recognized for years by the people of all countries and is in general use.

   He had a hard struggle to maintain his rights under the patent, but he possessed the requisite pluck and energy and held his ground successfully, and finally reaped a rich harvest from the patent. He was of a quiet disposition and was highly respected by all who knew him for his sterling qualities. He leaves a wife, three daughters, Cora and Flora, and Mrs. Chas A. Peckham, and one son, John W., surviving him.

   When he came to this country he was without means, but by hard work and entirely unaided he accumulated a handsome property. In infancy he was baptised in the church of England and while a lad was confirmed. He attended that church while in his native land and always adhered to his early faith. At 10 years of age he commenced to serve an apprenticeship as a weaver by hand of line and fancy linen goods and only ceased working at the trade when machinery supplanted hand work.

   Mr. Suggett was an honest, industrious citizen and his death is a loss to the community.

Another Prosperous Enterprise.

   In the summer of 1882 the Cortland Harness Company, having organized the preceding season, began the manufacture of fine coach, carriage and truck harness and furnishings for the general trade in a small building occupying the site of the present one on Port Watson street. The sales of the first year amounting to the munificent sum of $4,500 was the foundation of a business which, with push and fair dealing, aided by enterprise is to-day world-wide.

   Each succeeding year since '82 the company has been forced to extend the capacity of the works until it has been found utterly impossible on the present lot to further enlarge without towering skyward, but room must be had and to that end six acres of land have been purchased on Cleveland street with a frontage of three hundred and fifty feet on the E. C. & N. line of railroad. Upon this property will be erected a new factory, the main building to be 50x200 feet, three stories above basement, with necessary extensions for boilers and other purposes. The factory will be built next spring, plans for which are already in course of preparation.

   The pay roll now numbers sixty employes who are manufacturing a style and quality of work which finds an extensive and ready market throughout the Western States as well as the home market; besides enjoying an increasing demand from South America, Australia and European countries. The present building, suitable for many lines of manufacturing, will he rented upon completion of the new works and is a most desirable one in a community where manufacturing interests are proverbially successful.

John H. Connic Assigns.

   John H. Connic, of Truxton, manufacturer of butter tubs and firkins, and also conducting a saw mill and blacksmithing business, on Monday made a general assignment to Mr. Chauncey Stevens, of New York city. The assignment being filed in the Cortland County Clerk's office at 10 o'clock A. M., Oct. 21. 1890. By the terms of the assignment, all just and reasonable expenses attending the execution of said assignment are to be paid out of the avails of the sale of said assignor's property. Second, all wages due to said assignor's employes at the date of the assignment are to be paid in full. Should the avails not be sufficient for a full settlement then pro rata. The following parties are next named as preferred creditors:

   Celestic D. Connic, promissory note, $217.69.

   Frank S. Morse, coal, freight, etc., $266.48.

   H. G. Borthwick, cash lent and interest, $124.00.

   Alfred R. Bryant, promissory note, $477.75.

   Alfred Stevens, promissory note, $456.69.

   Nelson J. Petri, promissory note, $315.00.

   Peter D. Muller, promissory note, $140.00.

A Pleasant Society Event.

   More than one hundred and thirty guests responded to invitations to attend a party at the handsome residence of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Duffy on Port Watson-st., last Thursday evening. The weather was anything but pleasant outside but the guests were so handsomely entertained in the spacious parlors of the host and hostess, that the gloomy surroundings were forgotten. The floors were crashed and dancing and card playing was enjoyed by those who were so inclined. An excellent orchestra furnished music, and the refreshments were all that could be desired. Miss Grace and Mr. Edwin Duffey and Miss McPhail of Rochester, a sister of the hostess, assisted most gracefully in entertaining the guests. The event was a most enjoyable one and was so pronounced by all who attended.

"Waterloo" Was in It.

   Not alone admirers of turf sports but the entire population of this county will be pleased to learn that at the Fredericksburg, Maryland driving park meeting last week, a Cortland horse was the winner. Reliable advices state that the track, a half mile one, was decidedly slow but the throng of spectators were highly pleased with the exhibition. The celebrated "Waterloo" owned by O. U. Kellogg of this village was the winner in a hotly contested race of four heats—the last two being made in 2:27, which on a mile or rapid track like the one lately constructed in this place, would easily develop a 2:23 gait. Mr. Kellogg may justly feel proud of Waterloo's record abroad.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   Connecticut growers claim a heavy yield of tobacco.

   A New York city beggar is said to make $2,500 per annum by his profession.

   The inventor of pigs in the clover puzzle has been sent to an insane asylum.

   Syracuse barbers are strongly agitating the question of closing their shops on Sunday.

   At a meeting of the Brick Manufacturers' Association held in New York city last week it was decided to advance the price of brick 20 cents per 1000.

   According to the report of the last nine months of the last fiscal year the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company owns and operates 1,420 miles of railroad, 601 miles of which are leased lines.

   Mr. T. W. Downing, of Moravia, was among the guests at the Leland Hotel in Syracuse when the fire broke out. He escaped by sliding down a rope from the fourth story, his hands being severely injured from friction with the rope.

Joseph Pulitzer.

Retirement of Mr. Pulitzer.

   The World says, yielding to the advice of his physicians, Joseph Pulitzer has withdrawn entirely from the editorship of the World. For the past two years Mr. Pulitzer has been unable, by reason of misfortune to his sight, to give personal supervision to the conduct of his journal. To secure relief from what is felt to be a hindrance to recovery, the entire control of the World has been vested in an executive board of its principal editors.