Menzo D. Angell, a prominent business man and undertaker of Ilion, was born in Exeter, Otsego county, New York, September 7, 1847, the son of Fernando Cortez and Maranda Harriet (Bradely) Angell. His father was also a native of Exeter and the son of one of the pioneer settlers of that place, who came from Connecticut and located on Angell Hill, in Exeter, in the very early days. He not only blazed his way out to Otsego county, but he had to go to Albany on horseback to reach a mill and during these trips was always well armed to defend himself against the wild animals that then frequented the forests. Fernando C. Angell was a blacksmith by trade who later took up photography. In later life he was associated with the Remington Agricultural Works of Ilion, where he died. His wife, Maranda H. Bradely, was born at Lake George, Washington county, New York, August 30, 1823, and died in Ilion.
Menzo D. Angell was educated in the district schools of Exeter and at the age of twelve went to work for his uncle, Joshua Angell, for the salary of four dollars a month and board. He remained with this uncle for six months, then spent his time until he was twenty working for the various farmers in the neighborhood. As a young man he came to Ilion to work for W. R. Russell, who was the station agent here and also did trucking for E. Remington & Sons. Mr. Angell, himself, drove one of the teams for a number of years, after which he went into the trucking business for himself, continuing along this line for some little time. When the West Shore Railroad built its shops at Frankfort, Mr. Angell superintended the iron work during the course of erection of some of the buildings. About this time he became associated with James A. Chattaway of Ilion, an undertaker of this village, and remained with him for five years, during the course of which he learned the business. Mr. Angell went into the undertaking business for himself in Ilion in 1887 and has continued in this line of work up to the present time, a period of more than a third of century. In 1907 he expanded his business interests by opening a men's clothing and furnishings store on the 1st of November, under the firm name of the Sherman Clothing Company. This house, one of the best patronized in Ilion, carries a full line of men's clothing, men's furnishings and also represents the well known Likly make of trunks and bags.
In Little Falls, New York, on June 25, 1912, Mr. Angell was married to Miss Mary S. Kilham, who was born in Turin, Lewis county, New York, May 18, 1865, daughter of Doten Heman and Susan Minerva (Kentner) Kilham. She is the granddaughter of Thomas Kilham, a native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and an ensign in the War of 1812. He was a hotelkeeper and farmer by occupation and lived most of his life in the Bay state. His wife was Mariah Doten before her marriage, likewise a native of Plymouth. She was a direct descendant of Edward Doty, one of the Mayflower passengers, and her father, James Doten, served in the Revolution. Doten Heman Kilham, father of Mrs. Angell, and son of Thomas and Mariah (Doten) Kilham, was born in Turin, New York, March 27, 1827, and died there October 14, 1889. He was a harness maker by trade and later a farmer. In West Turin, on January 7, 1852, he was married to Susan Minerva Kentner, daughter of Amos and Lucinda (Clark) Kentner. Her father was born in Farmington. Connecticut, about 1795, enlisted in the War of 1812 and served at Sacketts Harbor. He was a farmer during most of his life and died in West Turin, New York, about the year 1858. His parents were John P. and Anna (Trion) Kentner, the former a member of the Connecticut militia who served at various times in the Revolutionary war. John P. Kentner was born in Farmington, Connecticut, and died in Turin, New York, in 1832. Through her distinguished ancestry Mrs. Angell has become a member of a number of historical and patriotic societies, including: The Mohawk Valley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ilion Colony of New England Women, and the Oliver Hazard Perry Chapter, Daughters of 1812. She is a member of St. Augustine Episcopal church and also belongs to Evening Star Chapter, No. 82, Order of the Eastern Star.
By a former marriage Mr. Angell has two children: Mrs. Agnes (Angell) Harrington of Brooklyn, New York; and W. E. Angell of Utica. Mr. Angell is a republican in politics and gives his support to the principles and candidates of that party. A Mason, he is identified with Ilion Lodge, No. 591, A. F. & A. M.; and Iroquois Chapter, No. 236, R. A. M. of Ilion. He is likewise a member of Ilion Lodge, No. 1444, B. P. O. E. and an honorary member of the local organization of the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church. In every relation of life Mr. Angell has measured up to high standards. He has enjoyed the opportunity of attaining success in business, but has never overlooked nor neglected his duties and obligations in other relations. Always he has sought to advance the public welfare through civic activity, the work of the church and the fraternal orders with which he is identified and by right living has merited the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens and associates.