There were 290 visitors from 16 Feb 2007 to 30 Jul 2011.
Last updated: 30 Jul 2011
JOHN LA GRANGE, of Binghamton, who is in the real estate business, is of Huguenot, or French Protestant, descent, and can trace his lineage back for eleven generations to ancestors who moved from France to Holland, whence some of the family came to the United States. He was born at Vestal, Broome County, December 8, 1858, a son of William A. and Deborah (Reed) La Grange. His great-great-grandfather, who had before him borne the name John La Grange, was a patriotic soldier in the war of the American Revolution, and had many of the experiences of army life and hardship incident to that struggle. He came to Binghamton from Elizabeth, N. J., when the country was new, assisted in the organization of its social and political life, was the President of one of the first banking institutions here, and did his full share of work in the development of the city and county at that early day. Halsey La Grange, the grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, was also born in Vestal, and made his settlement in the town of Vestal, on what is now known as the Phelps farm, in which vicinity he purchased about three thousand acres of land. He married Miss Experience Stoddard, a daughter of Judge Stoddard, who was a prominent man here years ago, and will be remembered in connection with the political affairs of the county at an early date. Halsey La Grange continued in this county through life, engaged in farming, dealing in lumber and in general merchandise. He was a good business man, and had the respect and confidence of the community.
William A., the father of the younger John, spent his early days in the town of Vestal, coming to Binghamton in 1868, where he engaged in contracting and building in the city and country, remaining here till his death, which occurred March 1, 1886. His wife, Deborah Reed, was also born in the town of Vestal, a daughter of Ransom Reed.
John La Grange came to Binghamton when ten years old, and, having received his elementary education in this city, profited by a course of study in the famous Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. He then obtained a situation as commercial traveller for a manufacturer of furniture, in which business he continued for a number of years and until about ten years ago, when he established the Real Estate Agency which now occupies his attention, his office being in the Ackerman Building. He possesses good business ability, was a director of the West Side Street Railway, and Secretary of the same until its consolidation with the Court Street line. He has been a School Commissioner for the city, representing the Third and Fourth Wards. His wife was formerly Miss Grace Butterfield, of Schultzville, Pa. They are attendants and supporters of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. La Grange is connected with the Masonic Order, being a member of Otseningo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Binghamton Chapter.
Source: pages 783-784.
He purchased a farm at Providence, Luzerne County, N. Y.1, where he died in the prime of life, leaving a widow and three children, namely: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Lucinda, widow of Samuel Pardee, who sojourns in different cities in the East and West; and Charlotte, wife of James Riggs, of Westchester County, who died in 1858, leaving two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Abigail Reynolds Lakey died in Bedford at the age of forty years.
Mr. Thomas R. Lakey began work at the shoemaker's trade in the town of South Salem, county of Westchester, which occupation he followed until 1858. There he was married to Lucinda Berry, a daughter of Cornelius and Lydia (Paddock) Berry, of Putnam County. Nine children were born to them, six daughters and three sons, all of whom grew to adult life except Thomas, who died at the age of twenty-two months. The living children are: Mary, wife of Joshua Lewis, a carpenter of this county, who has five children; Sarah, wife of Oliver Walton, of Brooklyn, N. Y., having two daughters; Abigail, wife of Leroy Terwilliger, living in Kings County, having three children; Josephine, wife of Clark E. Whitbeck, a patrolman of New York City, having four children; Cornelia, wife of Gaylord Dunn, living in Merced County, California, having one son and one daughter, and Zana G., wife of Newell Hemenway, having one daughter.
Politically, Mr. Lakey is a stanch Democrat, having believed for years that the principles advocated by that organization were calculated to advance the best interests of the country and secure to the people the greatest measure of prosperity. He has contributed in no small degree to the advancement of enterprises looking toward the benefit of the community in which he lives, a useful and respected citizen.
Source: pages 454-455.
David M. Langdon was a married man when, in 1840, he left his native State and came to Broome County, settling in the town of Kirkwood, where he bought a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, ten of them cleared land. He became one of the leading farmers of the town, being a practical and progressive man in everything he undertook. He died at the age of sixty-five years, December 27, 1869, his wife having died in July of that year, at about the same age. He was Supervisor and Commissioner of Highways, and held other local offices, and was a strong and active adherent of the Democratic party. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their ten children, five are now living, namely: Myron, who lives on a portion of the old home farm in the town of Kirkwood; Marietta L., widow of Chester Dwight, living in the same town; Harriet M., Mrs. S. P. Chase, residing at Port Dickinson, N. Y.; Carrie L., Mrs. Alfred Reed, a resident of Connecticut; and Frank, of Kirkwood, above named. The five who died were: Matilda, Mrs. Samuel Bayless, in 1859; Jane L., wife of Mr. Bird, 1884; Josephine, Mrs. Harrison, 1873; Maggie, Mrs. Watrous, 1893; James, in 1865.
The subject of this sketch, having pursued his elementary studies in the district school, enjoyed the advantages of the Delaware Institute for two terms. He next learned the trade of painter, which he followed for a few years, and then purchased a part of the old home Langdon farm, where he now resides, carrying on gardening and tobacco-raising, besides having a dairy. He was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah Baird, a native of the town of Blenham, Schoharie County, N. Y. She was the daughter of Joseph and Sally Ann Baird. Her father was a miller of that county, and went to Broome County, and settled on land which is now a part of the city of Binghamton. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon have one child --- Lulu J., born May 8, 1877. The Langdon family have been esteemed and influential residents of the town of Kirkwood more than half a century. The post-office and railway station of Langdon are named after them.
After his marriage Mr. Frank Langdon worked at his trade for a little while, and then took up farming, which he has carried on ever since, availing himself of all the modern appliances now used in agriculture. He has a beautiful home, his dwelling-house being considered one of the finest in the vicinity; and his farm buildings are commodious and well built. He is a public-spirited man, and takes an active part in the affairs of his town. He is especially devoted to the interests of the Democratic party, which he supports on all occasions. He has filled the offices of Town Clerk and Supervisor, being now on his third term in the latter position. Mr. Langdon is a member of Lodge No. 177, A. F. & A. M., of Binghamton, N. Y. The family are liberal in their religious views, taking charity to all as their motto.
Source: pages 377-378.
THOMAS R. LAKEY has been a resident of Chenango Forks, town of Barker, Broome County, for thirty-six years, and has there been engaged as a dealer in general merchandise for a quarter of a century. He has an established reputation for honesty and uprightness, his every transaction with the people being marked with characteristic fairness. He was born in Westchester County, town of Bedford, in 1814. His father, John Lakey, who was a native of England, came to this country in 1811, and was married to Abigail Reynolds daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Sension) Reynolds, and grand-daughter of Captain Moses Reynolds, well known in that county as a brave soldier in Colonial times.
FRANK LANGDON, a prominent agriculturist and public-spirited citizen of Kirkwood, Broome County, N. Y., holding the office of Supervisor, was born July 10, 1848, on the farm in this town on which he now resides. His parents were David M. and Harriet (Whitmore) Langdon, natives of Salisbury, Litchfield County, Conn., where his grandfather, Samuel Langdon, was long a resident, and was interested in iron industries. He died there at the age of seventy.
1 - This is actually a typographical error. This should be Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. - pointed out by Marshall Lake, April, 2007.
There were 290 visitors from 16 Feb 2007 to 30 Jul 2011.
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