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    HISTORY

    OF THE

    DEWITT GUARD,

    COMPANY A,

    50th Regiment National Guard,

    STATE OF NEW YORK.


    PUBLISHED BY THE COMPANY.


    ITHACA, N. Y.:
    ANDRUS, McCHAIN & CO., STEAM PRINTERS.
    1866.




PREFACE.


Our object in giving to the public a full, true, and concise history of
Company A, 50th Regiment National Guard, State of New York, better known
to the citizens of Ithaca as the DeWitt Guard, is to show as honorable a
record as can be produced by any similar organization--so far as the
membership of this Company was connected with the army and navy of the
United States during the late rebellion. We shall show that the total
membership of the Company from the time of its organization, in
December, 1851, to the present time, has been two hundred and two, of
which eighty-two served either in the army or navy during the war
against eighty-eight who did not; twenty-nine names appear on the
Company roll, of whom it is not known to the writer whether they were or
were not in the army, and nine who died previous to the war. We have
undertaken a brief personal history to each, which we believe will be
interesting to the reader.

We also wish to show that the Company has been, from the time of its
organization to the present, a self-supporting and self-sustaining
institution, until recently receiving nothing from the State but arms,
and that the individual members have contributed the sum of two thousand
seven hundred and twenty dollars and fifty-six cents, to which amount
should be added a liberal percentage for disbursements which do not
appear on Company records.

We propose to give the name of each member of the DeWitt Guard from its
organization, the date of his enlistment, his profession, with such
incidents as we think will be of interest to the reader, after which we
shall give the history of the Company collectively. There may be those
who have belonged to the Company whose names will not appear in these
pages. This must be attributed to the fact of their not signing the
muster-roll of the Company, as every name there recorded is introduced
in the following history.




HISTORY.


ARCH. H. MCNEIL, Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. At the first
election of company officers McNeil was chosen second Lieutenant, which
position he honorably and creditably filled to the time of his death,
which occurred November 28th, 1855. To Lieutenant McNeil the Company
were much indebted. To him more than any other one man, belonged the
credit of organizing the Company.

He was loved, respected, and honored by both officers and men, and his
death caused a breach not easily repaired. Upon receiving intelligence
of his death, the Company were immediately called together and the
following resolutions unanimously adopted:

    _Resolved_, That in the death of Lieutenant A. H. McNeil the
    members of this Company have not only lost a commissioned
    officer in whom a zealous, lively and effective interest for the
    welfare of the Company always prevailed, but an officer whose
    military bearing commanded our respect, and a fellow soldier
    whose conduct and kindness has merited and won our esteem. That
    we deeply feel his loss, and mourn his untimely departure from
    our midst,

    _Resolved_, That we tender to the widow and relatives of our
    deceased officer our sincere condolence in this their great
    affliction.

    _Resolved_, That we accompany the remains of our late officer to
    the depot on the morrow, and that a delegation of seven men
    accompany his remains to the city of Auburn as an escort and
    attend his funeral.

    _Resolved_, That on all parades we will wear the usual badge of
    mourning for one year.

At a special meeting held on the return from Auburn of the escort which
accompanied the remains of Lieut. A. H. McNeil, and after hearing the
report of the officer commanding said escort, the following preamble and
resolutions were unanimously adopted:

    WHEREAS, An escort from this Company having been delegated to
    accompany and perform the last sad duties over the remains of
    our esteemed friend, Lieut. A. H. McNeil, at Auburn, and while
    there having met with reception and attention which ever
    characterize the true and tried friend and soldier, be it
    therefore

    _Resolved_, That to General Segoin and Colonel Jenkins, and
    their respective staffs, to the Auburn City Guard, Willard
    Guard, and to the delegation from other Companies, we as a
    Company return them our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the
    manner in which they cared for them, and the kindness with which
    they were every where greeted by them while there, and in the
    admirable arrangements for the funeral made at such short
    notice, and for the cheerful and handsome manner in which they
    were carried out; gratified as we are, words can only attempt a
    description of our feelings of the manner in which they
    alleviated our sorrows in the burial of our dead. And although
    the deceased had not resided among them for years, yet like us
    they appreciated his many virtues and remembered his uniform
    kindness to all, and when they but learned of his decease, their
    tears mingled with ours at our irreparable loss.

    _Resolved_, That in future, should it be possible for us to
    repay them in any manner that it will be forthcoming, feeling,
    as we do, that no sacrifice will be too great in attempting a
    return of their kindness in the hour of our affliction, and as
    individuals, as citizens and as soldiers, we hope that the
    choicest of Heaven's blessings may be theirs, and that their
    respective staffs and Companies may ever meet with prosperity.

GEORGE H. COLLINS, Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Mr. Collins
was permitted to serve but a short time as a member of the Company, as
he was selected by the Colonel and commissioned Adjutant of the
Regiment, which position he held for many years. Changing his residence
to the city of New York, his connection with the 50th Regiment was
dissolved.

BEN. B. WILCOX, Hotel keeper, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Served with
the Company but a short time; removed to Owego; was for a time
proprietor of the Ah-Wa-Ga House, but more recently of a hotel at
Saratoga Springs.

WILLIAM M. SMITH, Brewer, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Served but a
short time.

H. F. RANDOLPH, Shoe Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Mr. Randolph
had more than served his time, and reached the rank of Captain, in the
old militia before joining this organization. He was an officer of no
common attainments--prompt, active and generous. The interest he had
always manifested, and now felt, in military matters, compelled him to
join this new enterprise; he enlisted as a private, and is to this day
an honorary member of the Company. He has accompanied them on many an
excursion, and is always invested with the command of the honorary
members. The Captain has now attained the age of sixty-three years, and
is still as smart, hale and hearty as a lad of sixteen.

J. C. MCWHORTER, Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Remained but a
short time with the Company, but the soul-stirring strains of music, as
rendered by him on the snare drum while he was a member, will long be
remembered by those associated with him during his short military
experience.

FRED. S. LAMOUREUX, Musician, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Was a very
valuable member for a very short time; for while resting from the
fatigue of drill, Lamoureux always furnished the music for the _light
foot_ portion of the Company.

WILLIAM S. ALLEN, Carpenter, enlisted November 6th, 1851. Was a faithful
and exemplary member for a few years, and undoubtedly his connection
with this Company gave him the position he has honorably filled since
his removal from us--that of policeman in New York city. He was
consequently transferred as Sergeant from this Company to Sergeant of
police in that city.

K. MORRIS, Clothing Merchant, enlisted November 7th, 1851. Served but a
short time.

S. NEWMARK, Clothing Merchant, enlisted November 10th, 1851. Served
faithfully for a short time and was granted an honorable discharge.

J. G. CONRAD, Clerk, enlisted November 8th, 1851. Mr. Conrad faithfully
performed the duties of a member of this Company for a short time.

L. R. KING, Merchant, enlisted November 9th, 1851. At the time of the
organization of the Company, Mr. King was elected fourth Sergeant, and
by promotion filled each office up to first Lieutenant, and was in
command of the Company for some time. Lieutenant King, by his kind and
pleasing way, and the interest he ever manifested in the welfare of the
Company, commanded the respect and admiration of every man who served
under him. He held the commission of first Lieutenant from May 28th,
1856, to August 25th, 1862. Upon his resignation being accepted, he was
voted an honorary membership for life. He is one of the enterprising
firm of Treman, King & Co., large manufacturers. We believe that Mr.
King can look back upon the years spent in the DeWitt Guard as not
altogether unprofitable.

W. B. HATFIELD, Clerk, enlisted November 15th, 1851. Mr. Hatfield was a
good soldier; was in the employ of L. H. Culver, Esq.; retained his
connection with the Company and his employer until his removal to the
West.

SPENCE SPENCER, Book Merchant, enlisted November 15th, 1851. Retained
his membership but a short time, but with the liberality which was
always a prominent characteristic of Mr. Spencer, he donated to the
Company a complete uniform, which is the first recorded gift made to
the DeWitt Guard. He is still a citizen of Ithaca, and has of late
attached no small degree of honor to his name by publishing the book
entitled, "The Scenery of Ithaca."

L. MILLSPAUGH, dealer in Harness, Trunks, &c., enlisted November 15th,
1851. Mr. Millspaugh was an old soldier before joining this Company,
having held the commission of Lieut. Colonel in the old militia, issued
by Gov. Seward in 1842; but feeling a deep interest in the organization
of a new Company, enlisted as a private. On the 29th day of January,
1852, he was elected first Corporal, which position he held but a short
time, as he was gradually promoted until he had filled nearly all the
grades of non-commissioned offices. He always declined accepting a
commission, and when it seemed to be the unanimous wish of the Company,
his prompt reply was "No." He continued an invaluable member until long
after he had served his time, (seven years,) when he was granted an
honorable discharge. Our friend, by his emphatic "No," has not been as
successful, however, in a political way, he having repeatedly been
called to fill civil offices of honor and trust; and by his being
re-elected to most of the offices he has held, is in itself sufficient
to show his standing in the community in which he lives. Whether all
this would have been so, had he never joined the DeWitt Guard, we leave
for a discriminating public to judge.

J. B. TERRY, Merchant, enlisted November 15th, 1851. Mr. Terry filled
the office of Secretary of the Company for the first two years of its
existence. He was a good soldier, an exemplary and respected citizen,
and the community generally mourned his loss when he was removed by
death.

JEROME ROWE, Lawyer, enlisted November 18th, 1851. Some unhappy
misunderstanding caused the withdrawal of Mr. Rowe from the Company
during the early part of its history. He was untiring in his endeavors
to establish the organization, and the same energy and devotion which he
displayed at that time, has followed him thus far through life. He
filled the office of Special County Judge of Tompkins County, with honor
to himself and perfect satisfaction to the people. He entered the army
of the United States April 1st, 1861, was commissioned Captain of
Company A, 32d New York volunteers, same date, and served as such one
year.

HUGH MCDONALD, enlisted November 18th, 1851. Was elected Orderly
Sergeant Dec. 31st of the same year, which position he filled as long as
he was a resident of the village. McDonald was a soldier of much
experience, having served in the Mexican war, where he became perfectly
familiar with the duties pertaining to the soldier in the field. As a
drill-master he was not excelled, and under his instruction the Company
soon became very proficient in the manual of arms, and school of the
soldier and Company. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted in a
Pennsylvania Regiment, was very soon promoted to Captain, and again to
Major. We should be glad to give a full history of his life through the
war, but have been unable to obtain it. This much we can say, he was a
patriotic citizen, a true soldier, and a faithful officer.

N. H. CURTIS, Upholsterer, enlisted November 19th, 1851. Was long
connected with the Company; filled the posts of Corporal and Sergeant.
After a long residence in our village, he removed to the West, where he
survived but a few years.

DANIEL PLACE, Jeweler, enlisted November ---- 1851. Mr. Place joined the
Company in order that the number required by law might be secured, so as
to enable them to proceed with the election of officers. He never served
as an active member.

LUCIUS F. PEASE, Painter, enlisted November 20th, 1851. Mr. Pease well
and faithfully performed the duties required of him as a member of the
DeWitt Guard for the full term of his enlistment, (seven years,) and was
granted an honorable discharge. He is still living in Ithaca, an
industrious mechanic, and a good citizen.

CHRISTOPHER WHALEY, Druggist, enlisted November 21, 1851. Was discharged
on Surgeon's certificate soon after his enlistment.

WILLIAM GLENNY, Clerk, enlisted November 21st, 1851. December 31st was
elected fourth Corporal; March 3d, 1853, was elected Secretary, which
office he most creditably filled, as the records of the Company show, up
to January, 1857; was elected fourth Sergeant Jan. 14th, 1857; May 17th,
1861, second Sergeant, which office he held at the time of his
enlistment in the United States army.

The subject of this sketch reflects great credit upon the Company to
which he formerly belonged, and in the perilous hour honored his
constituency, as well as himself, to a degree unparalleled in the
history of the Rebellion. Having in his former life been a warm and
ardent supporter of the inalienable rights of man, and an exponent of a
free government, the first attempt by traitors to destroy its fair
fabric, bought by the blood of our fathers, and to trample under foot
the time-honored and beloved emblem of our free and independent
nationality, so enraged his sense of right and justice, that he at once
expressed his determination to fulfill his public declarations to the
effect, that when traitors should thrust the bayonet at the nation's
life, he would be found among those who were willing to peril their
lives in its defence.

Being met with opposition and the remonstrance of friends, that there
were single men, and those more inured to hardship, sufficient for the
emergency, whose duty it was to go first, his plans were for a time
delayed, and until a second or third reverse of our arms, when he could
no longer be restrained, went earnestly at work, and by his persistent
efforts succeeded in raising a sufficient number of volunteers for the
basis of a Company; which, by authority of the commandant of the Elmira
rendezvous, in accordance with orders from the Adjutant General of the
State, was organized at Ithaca Sept. 10th, 1861, and by him conducted to
Elmira, where, by a unanimous vote of the Company, he was elected its
Captain, and so commissioned by Gov. Seymour, commission bearing date
Sept. 13th, 1861.

Captain Glenny then went earnestly at work and recruited his Company to
the minimum standard, and by vote of its members united its destinies
with the 64th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, commanded by Col. Thomas J.
Parker.

On the 10th of December the Regiment moved to Washington, and a month
later crossed the Potomac and camped with the main army three miles west
of Alexandria, and was brigaded under General O. O. Howard, who
commanded the first Brigade, first Division, second Corps. Early in the
spring of 1862, the Brigade moved one week in advance of the main army
for the purpose of repairing the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. A short
distance beyond Fairfax Station signs of the enemy were discovered, and
for safety to the command, two Companies from the 64th, under command of
Captain Glenny, (his own being one of the number) were sent some
considerable distance to the front as an extreme outpost. Here the first
blood of the opening campaign was drawn by shooting a rebel scout by one
of Captain Glenny's men.

The main army soon after advanced to the famous fields of Manassas, but
only to find the enemy beating a hasty retreat, leaving every
conceivable ruin in their track.

At this juncture the army changed its base to the Peninsula and
Chickahominy swamps, where, after the siege of Yorktown, and on the
first of June, was fought the terrific battle of Fair Oaks, in which
Captain Glenny, while leading his men in a charge, received a wound,
which, for a time, was thought to be mortal, a minnie ball passing
through his left shoulder.

In about two months he again returned to his command, but so disabled
that he was detached on recruiting service and stationed at Elmira;
after which he returned to the army, and after nearly another year's
campaign, was, in accordance with orders, again detached at Elmira on
service connected with the draft. After being relieved from this duty,
he rejoined his command, with which he served until the close of the
war.

Owing to circumstances beyond his control, he served near two and a half
years as Captain without promotion, after which in rapid succession he
received the different grades of Major, Lieut. Colonel and Colonel, but
was unable to muster into the latter grade by reason of insufficiency of
numbers in the Regiment. This was, however, in part recompensed for, as
after the smoke of battle and the clash of arms had ceased, and honors
were conferred upon "whom honor was due," Captain Glenny had two grades
by brevet conferred upon him by the President, that of Brevet Colonel
and Brevet Brigadier General, for gallant and meritorious
services--honors which he modestly and unassumingly wears, but of which
he may justly be proud.

From the time of his entry into the service until the close of the war,
near four years, (except while suffering from wounds and on detached
service,) General Glenny fought traitors with unrelenting fidelity to
principle and the inalienable rights of man.

The number of decisive battles of which he may claim to be hero, and in
which he had the honor to bare his breast to the bayonet and bullet, are
twenty-two; six of them being bayonet charges and direct assaults upon
the enemy and their fortifications. Among the principal of these battles
may be placed Fair Oaks, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Po River,
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Petersburg,
Gravelly Run, Southside Road, Farmville, Reams Station, &c. The Regiment
fought in upwards of thirty-three. General Glenny's superior officers
being wounded, he was invested with the command of the Regiment on the
battle-field of Spottsylvania, which command he retained until the close
of the war, except at different periods, by seniority of rank, he
commanded a Brigade. At the battle of Ream's Station he took command of
the Brigade which he retained for some considerable time, as so fierce
had been the campaign that but one other field officer was left for duty
in the Brigade comprising seven Regiments. Had we time and space, many
acts of personal bravery and valorous deeds might be accredited to this
officer during his brief career of warfare, as owing to his known
integrity of character and ability, superior officers frequently
selected him to fill posts of great danger.

General Glenny's command has the honor of being the first infantry
troops upon the Southside Railroad, also of making the last charge upon
the enemy at Farmville, April 7th, 1865.

Two or three circumstances of peculiar interest, showing the morals of
this officer, may not be inappropriate, and in a degree indicate his
decision of character and fidelity to his untarnished reputation and
walks of private life.

In the latter part of May, 1862, and just prior to the battle of Fair
Oaks, by orders of General McClellan, the first ration of whiskey was
issued to the troops. This being incompatible with the principles of
General Glenny, he at once called his men in line, and stated that he
believed the new element just introduced in the army was destructive of
its best interests, prejudicial to its health, efficiency and
discipline, and rather than stultify his conscience by being responsible
for its issue, he would suffer himself to be cashiered for disobedience
of orders. His position having been defined, the question was submitted
to the Company, which, by a unanimous vote, rejected the whiskey. During
the day General Howard, who by some means had become acquainted with the
facts, at once dispatched one of his aids with a book, his compliments
and a message, to General Glenny, to the effect that he was the only
officer in the Brigade who had taken that position, and was gratified to
know he had one under his command who had sufficient moral courage to
take so exalted a stand.

At Chancellorsville, where the Union army met with temporary defeat,
this Regiment made one of the most gallant stands of any during the war.
It held its position and repulsed five successive charges made by the
enemy under cover of their artillery. The enemy, a few minutes later,
succeeded in turning the right of our lines, when orders were sent to
General Glenny to withdraw his men immediately, which he did
successfully under a galling fire, and just as the enemy were closing in
upon him from front and rear in the form of a pair of shears.

Again at Po River, the Regiment was hastily thrown out as a skirmish
line. Owing to emergencies the main army were obliged to change position
so suddenly, that there was no time to withdraw or notify the skirmish
line of their perilous position; and the only alternative was to leave
them to their fate. It was not until some two hours later, when
mistrusting all was not right, and finding the main army had left the
position a few hours previously taken up, it was decided at once to make
desperate efforts to extricate the Regiment, which was found to be
surrounded on three sides, and the fourth fast closing in, which was
accomplished with but slight loss. This was a prominent trait in General
Glenny's character, to always hazard life rather than be a prisoner in
the hands of traitors, whom he looked upon with contempt and scorn.

In the last charge made by the Regiment, or any of the army, at
Farmville, April 7th, 1865, General Glenny lost fourteen men, and one
officer of the rank of Captain. The latter finding himself mortally
wounded, and having been rather a reckless young man, at once became
alarmed with reference to his future state. While lying on the field, he
called General Glenny, (then Colonel,) took him by the hand, and as soon
as he could gather sufficient strength to speak, says, "Colonel, can you
pray?" When answered in the affirmative he said, "I have got to die and
am unprepared." In compliance with his request, General Glenny knelt by
his side in prayer; but as missiles of death were flying on every hand,
and the enemy opening an increasing fire, which required him to watch as
well as pray, and to attend to the living as well as the dying, he at
once ordered the Captain carried to the rear, where he soon died,
leaving good evidence that he had found spiritual relief.

This was the closing drama of the war, as two days after General Lee
surrendered the rebel army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. The
Union army soon after returned to Washington and vicinity, where, by
different commands, they were mustered out of service. The 64th
proceeded to Elmira, where it received final pay and discharge July
24th, 1865. Thus ended near four years of warfare with General Glenny;
he being the only officer who went out as such who returned with the
Regiment.

The General is now engaged in the mercantile trade, and located in the
store formerly occupied by John Kendall, Esq., and is carrying on a very
successful and profitable trade.

STEPHEN BREWER, Saddles, Harness, &c., enlisted November 21st, 1851. Mr.
Brewer was a good soldier; his membership with the Company was soon
dissolved by his removal to Cortland village, where, like his
professional brother Millspaugh, he has held many offices of trust and
honor, among which was County Judge of Cortland county.

F. K. ANDRUS, Bookseller, &c., enlisted November 21st, 1851. Mr. Andrus
has answered to his name as fourth, third, second and first Corporal,
and fifth, fourth, third and second Sergeants. Was one of the most
active members of the Company during the whole seven years, and over, of
his membership. We find but very few meetings or drills of the Company
that he is not marked present. He was a thorough soldier, never
satisfied with half knowing how. His motto was, "Excelsior." No member
who served while Sergeant Andrus was connected with the Company, will
ever forget him; always good-natured and cheerful, inclined to look on
the bright and never on the dark side of the picture; and during times
in the history of the Company, when many were despondent, and the future
looked any thing but encouraging, he was always with a cheerful heart
and a ready hand, willing to contribute in whatever way was necessary to
raise the standard of the Company; and we believe whatever he undertook
he succeeded in accomplishing. Mr. Andrus is now one of the firm of
Andrus, McChain & Co., probably the largest Paper Manufacturers in
Western New York; and very many of our citizens and distinguished
visitors from abroad, can testify to his politeness and urbanity in
showing them through their large manufactory at Fall Creek.

CHARLES CLAPP, Painter, enlisted November 21st, 1851. Mr. Clapp, at his
own request, was granted a discharge soon after his enlistment. His
military ardor was in no degree dampened, however, as will be seen from
the following: He enlisted in the United States army December 30th,
1863, in Company M, 21st New York Cavalry, in which he served eighteen
months; was engaged in the battle of New Market, and in the reserve at
Cedar Creek. Mr. Clapp also had two sons in the army. He was
particularly distinguished for his Good Samaritan kindness, as many of
his comrades can testify. Having some knowledge of medicine, he imparted
the all-healing balm to those about him who were sick or wounded.

E. C. FULLER, Painter, enlisted November 21st, 1851. He filled the
offices of Corporal and Sergeant; was a good soldier, a faithful
officer, and a skilled artisan.

WILLIAM V. BRUYN, Lawyer, enlisted November 21st, 1851. Immediately upon
his joining the Company he was elected first Lieutenant, which
commission he held until his removal to Syracuse. He was a man of
talents and fine accomplishments, which, combined with his gentlemanly
bearing, made an officer of which the Company were at all times proud.
He was once District Attorney of Tompkins county, and is now engaged in
his profession in the city of Syracuse, where he meets with that success
he so richly merits.

LOREN DAY, wholesale Liquor dealer, enlisted November 21st, 1851. Mr.
Day, we believe, never served as a member but a short time, if at all.
His connection, however, with this or any other institution, would be an
honor to it. He is one of the most quiet, still one of the best,
citizens of our village. He has been very successful in business, which
may be credited to his strict attention and uncompromising honesty.

WILLIAM M. CULVER, dealer in Hats, Caps and Furs, enlisted November 22d,
1851. Served but a short time, a worthy member, and was honorably
discharged. He is still successfully engaged in the above business.

THEODORE A. HANMER, Clerk, enlisted November 24th, 1851. Very soon after
enlistment he removed to a Southern State, where he still resides.

PHILIP J. PARTENHEIMER, Cashier Tompkins County Bank, enlisted November
25th, 1851. We often hear it said there is no man but has his enemies;
this may be the rule, we will produce the exception.

At the first election of Company A, held in December, 1851, Mr.
Partenheimer was unanimously elected their Captain, which commission he
held until August 25th, 1862--over ten years. Nearly two hundred men
served under him while Captain of this Company, by each of which he was
not only respected and honored as their commanding officer, but as a
citizen and gentleman. Few officers ever had the confidence, respect and
esteem of his command as did Captain Partenheimer. Very likely some were
at times dissatisfied with his rulings; soon, however, his sound
judgment was apparent, and his decisions perfectly satisfactory to all.
When necessary he was stern, but always kind and forgiving. When he gave
a command, his men knew it must be promptly and correctly executed. His
generosity was only exceeded (so far as his Company was concerned) by
his desire to have his gifts unknown to the members or others, and if it
could be known how much he had paid for the use and improvement of his
Company, a very considerable sum could be added to the amount of
disbursements spoken of in the preface of this record.

Captain Partenheimer's first business engagement was with S. B. Munn,
Jr., of this village. His clerkship was of short duration, however, as
his superior talent as an accountant was soon displayed, and he made his
second engagement with the Tompkins County Bank as book-keeper. With
this situation the same remarks are applicable as to the clerkship; he
was soon promoted to the position of Teller of the same institution, and
later to Cashier, which office he still holds. His various and rapid
promotions in the Bank were not equal, however, to the demands made upon
him by his fellow citizens. To show his popularity, we mention some of
the civil offices he has filled: Town Clerk, Notary Public, Trustee of
the village, President of same repeatedly, Chief Engineer of the Fire
Department for many years in succession, and also served his town in
the Board of Supervisors of Tompkins county. Each of the above mentioned
offices he has filled with honor to himself, and for us to say with
satisfaction to the people, would be superfluous. It is worthy of note,
that Captain Partenheimer never was ambitious for office; that all the
offices he has filled, both civil and military, have been thrust upon
him; and it is proverbial in his case, that he has in the most positive
and peremptory manner, declined many honors that the community have
endeavored to heap upon him. He is, most emphatically, a self-made man;
and to his own personal exertions the public are indebted