Craft Masonry in Albany County, New York - Onondaga and Oswego ...

month; subsequently he worked at carpentry with his father, and also learned the shoemaker's trade, which he plied winters. When
about thirty years old he engaged in buying and butchering cattle and .selling meat; this he followed seven years, when he bought
and conducted a hotel in the village of Berne, which, two years later he traded for a farm, upon which the house had been destroyed
by fire; he rebuilt the house, built new barns, wagon house and other outbuildings. In 1867 he disposed of the farm and purchased
his present farm of 170 acres in the town of Knox, where he has ever since resided. His wife was Sophia E.. daughter of Adam and
granddaughter of Mathias Shultes. The latter was the progenitor of the Shultes family in America and a native of Holland. Their
children were Willard J., Isadore (who died when five years old), Rena and Nina.
William J. Haverly has spent most of his life on the farm, engaged for many years with his father in the breeding of trotting and road
horses, registered stock. They are the owners of the well known stallion, "Victor Mohawk," whose progeny has produced such
satisfactory roadsters. When a boy Mr. Haverly attended the common schools and two terms at Knox Academy, taught school when
seventeen years old, and later attended the Albany Normal School, from which he was graduated in June, 1869. He was then
engaged in the grocery business in Albany for two years, afterwards returning to his father's farm, in which he took an interest, and
followed teaching winters. Since 1874 he has been a dealer in farm machinery, and since 1890 has dealt in fertilizers. Since 1887
he has followed teaching winter and summer, having taught in all 29 terms. Mr. Haverly has for years been prominently identified
with the Republican party, has filled the office of collector for the town of Knox, and was elected in 1878 to represent his town in the
Board of Supervisors, and again in 1882, 1891 and 1892, and is present supervisor of Knox. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, Berne Lodge No. 684, and was for a number of years an Odd Fellow, until the lodge was disbanded. In 1883 he married
Carrie M., daughter of Theodore Nauright, a native of Naurightville, NJ, and their children are Edwin B.. May, Elmina D., Theodora
N., Nellie L., Ann A. and John W.
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Page 313 [1231] Family Sketches
Elam Williams, was born in the town of Knox, 12 Mar 1844. Prentice Williams, his grandfather, was a native of Connecticut, settled
in Knox when a young man cleared himself a farm in the forest, where he became prosperous. His children were Lucy, Mary, Eliza,
Eunice, Prentice, jr., and Dennison. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church, in which he was an active worker. He
died in 1850, and his wife died some years before. Hon. Prentice Williams, jr., the father of Elam, was born in the town of Knox on
the homestead in 1794. In early life he followed farming, but later learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed in connection
with undertaking for a number of years in the village of Knox. He subsequently engaged in mercantile business in Albany, remained
there but a short time and returned to Knox and resumed his old business of furniture and undertaking. He was prominently
identified with the Democratic party and his influence was extensive; he had the honor of serving his district in the State Legislature
one term, and was postmaster many years. He was twice married; his first wife, Harriet Jane Clark, died a year after their marriage;
his second wife was Mrs. Jane (Knight) Armstrong, widow of Patten Armstrong, and they had one child, Elam. Mr. and Mrs. Williams
were members of the Methodist church, in which he took a leading part. He died in 1864 and his wife Sep 1882.
Elam Williams received his education in the Knox Academy and when twenty years old began teaching which he followed for a
number of years. Early in life he manifested a keen and active interest in the political affairs of his town and county, and while yet a
young man was elected to the office of justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket. He filled the office with such credit that he was
elected and re-elected for nineteen successive years; the years of 1882-83 he was justice of sessions and in 1870 was appointed
State census enumerator for his district. He has filled the office of postmaster of Knox during both of President Cleveland's
administrations. In 1886 he engaged in the general mercantile business in the village of Knox and with careful and strict attention to
business, he has met with merited success. In the spring of 1896 he purchased a farm of 11'2 acres near the village, of which he
has taken personal management, being assisted in the store by his son, Stanley. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne
Lodge, No. 684. In 1871 he married Catherine, daughter of Sylvester and Sarah (Bunzy) Allen of Knox, and they have five children,
Effie, Stanley, Jennie. Marx and Emma.
Page 101 [1019] Family Sketches
Charles Wellington Wright was born in the town of Berne, 21 Jan 1844; d. 19 Jun 1920. Samuel Wright, his great-grandfather,
was the first of the family to settle in Berne; he was born in 1758 and died 9 Jan 1831. Richard Wright, the grandfather, was born in
Berne, 28 Jan 1793, where he was a lifelong farmer. His wife was Lydia Vincent. Joshua B. [R.], the father of Charles Wright, was
born March 28, 1816, where he also was a farmer, coming into possession of his father's homestead of 100 acres. He filled the
office for some years of commissioner of highways, etc. His wife, Lucretia Wright, was born in Berne in 1820, and was a daughter of
James Wright. Their children were Wesley, Charles W. and Richard (who died when five years of age). Joshua R. died in 1878 and
his wife in 1894.
Charles W. Wright grew to manhood on his father's farm and attended the common schools of his district and a term at the Knox
Academy, and made such progress in his studies that before he was seventeen years of age he was himself a teacher of a school,
which he followed winters until 25 Aug 1864, when he enlisted in Co. L, 3rd NY Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He
was in several skirmishes and raids in Virginia and North Carolina, and the winter of 1864-65 he was detailed as orderly at the
provost marshal's quarters. Soon after his return home he purchased a farm and followed farming summers and teaching winters,
until he had taught in all 22 terms. During those years he dealt to a considerable extent in clover seed and since then his farming
has occupied most of his attention, his farm consisting of seventy acres. Mr. Wright has from time to time filled the office of inspector
of elections, tax collector two terms, town auditor, and is now filling the office of deputy sheriff. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, Berne Lodge [No. 684], the Grand Army of the Republic, Post Charles McCullough No. 645 of West Berne, of which he
was one of the charter members and of which he is senior vice-commander; he has also tilled the office of adjutant and junior vice.
In 1865 he married Elmira Powell [Gifford], b. 21 Aug 1845; d. 27 Aug 1906, a native of Greene county, NY, and daughter of Peter
H. and Lucinda (Crandall) Powell. They have one child, Helen T., b. Dec 1866; d. 1912, who married Melville C. Crocker, and has
two children: Minnie and Stanley.
WRIGHT, CHAS. W.— Age, 20 years. Enlisted [3rd NY Cav.], August 25,1864, at Albany; mustered in as private, Company L,
August 25, 1864, to serve one year; mustered out June 7, 1865, at Norfolk, VA,
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