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GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
OF THE
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
NEW YORK
A RECORD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HER PEOPLE AND THE
Phenomenal Growth of her Agricultural and
Mechanical Industries
COMPILED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
THE LATE R. A. OAKES
CUSTODIAN OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
" R'no7ulcdge of kindred and the genealogies of the ancient families descrveth the
highest praise. Herein consistcth a part of the knoudedge of a man's own self. It is a
great spur to virtue to look back on the worth of our line. "—Lord Bacon.
'■'There is no heroic poem in the world but is at the bottom the life of a man."— Sir
Walter Scott.
ILLUSTRATED
Volume I
NEW YORK CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1905
1^
Vp\II\
\^^
PREFACE.
AMONG the sixty-one counties that form the great Empire state,
none exceed Jefferson County in the romance of its liistory. Geo-
logically, it was the first land that parted the seething waters in
the abysses of time. For untold asons great seas rolled over it, and
later the chisels of the ice age gouged out its valleys and polished its
rocks.
Within the historic period the intrepid explorers of New France
sailed up the majestic river that defines its northern borders. Every-
where within its boundaries are found innumerable relics of a vanished
race, whose identity must ever remain a matter of conjecture. When
discovered by the white man, its territory was owned conjointly by the
Onondagas and Oneidas of the- league of the Iroquois. Some three
centuries later the New England States gave the flower of their man-
hood for its peopling. The men and women who settled Jefferson
County were peers of all that is best in humanity, and from them have
descended statesmen, jurists, financiers, clerics and litterateurs, of whom
any county may justly feel proud. It has furnished four Governors
for as many states. Among its early settlers were many of the nobility
of France, including an exiled King of Spain, and preparations were
made to give within its borders refuge to the Great Napoleon, should
plans for his rescue from the bleak rocks of St. Helena have prevailed.
It is of these heroic men and their living descendants that these
volumes treat, and in its preparation the best printed authorities have
been critically consulted, and many additional facts hitherto unpublished
have been procured by members of the editorial staff through personal
interviews.
The engagement of the late Rensselaer A. Oakes as editor was a
very happy arrangement for all concerned. A student by nature, accus-
tomed to deep researches, he gave the benefit of his disciplined mind to
the work, and much of its value is due to his ability and efforts. His
plans were perfected before his untimely death, and most of his work
was finished before that lamentable event. His lieutenants, being well
PREFACE.
schooled under his direction, were able to carry forward any unfinished
work along lines laid down by him. To the courtesy of the newspapers
and their editors, and the cheerful co-operation of those having valuable
data in their possession, much credit is due. Acknowledgments are due
to the Hungerford-Holbrook Company, the clerk of the Board of Super-
visors, and several editors for the loan of cuts used in the eniMlishmeiit
of the work. Many plates have been especially made by the publishers
for this purpose.
It is with a feeling of confidence that all and more than could lie
reasonably expected under the conditions found has been accomplished
that the publishers present the work to discriminating judges. In many
cases, no clue could be found to the origin of good families in Jefferson
County, so that it was imixjssible, usually, to carry lines back. But,
in eight out of ten instances where a definite location could be found in
New England, genealogical lines have been traced, to the delight and
surprise of many individuals. Nothing has been printed that was not
submitted to some one interested for correction and revision and, as far
as finite limitation.s wili permit, accuracy has been secured.
INDEX.
Acheson, Thomas J., 703.
Adams, Charles F., 982.
Adams, Charles L., 739.
Adams, Charles S., 1241.
Adams, Hector, 592.
Adams, Israel, 648.
Adams, Murray M., 454.
Ainsworth, Willard, 583.
Allen, John J., 200.
Allen, Joseph, 994.
Anderson, Frederick C, 1 141.
Andriis, David I.. 1015.
Andrus, Elisha. 1012.
Andrus, Ezekiel (i), 1009.
Andrus, Ezekiel (2), loio.
Andrus, Merritt M., 1013.
Andrus, Seward E., 1015.
Andrus, Sherwood D., 1014.
Andrus, Stillman, loio.
Andrus, The Family, ioo8r=^^
Arthur, Herbert M., 414.
Arthur, The Family, 412.
Babcock, George H., 87.
Babcock, Frederick J., 91.
Babcock, Frederick W., 88.
Babcock, Henry H., 85.
Babcock, Herbert P., 87.
Babcock, Jesse, 93.
Babcock, Joshua A., 85.
Babcock, Lysander W., 89.
Babcock, The Family, 81.
Babcock, William A.. 90.
Bagg, Samuel F., 156.
Bagley, George A., 1324.
Bailey, Henry 373.
Bailey, Lyman, 778.
Baker, Frank C., 65.
Baker, Franklin L., 1062.
Baker, Hart V., 1059.
Baker, John L., 1060.
Baker, Jonathan, 1057.
Baker, Milon, 1004.
Baker, The Family, 1057.
Baker, Thomas, 1060.
Balcom, Alexander F., 512.
Ball, Arthur R.. 68.
Ball, Edward, 69.
Ball, Elihu, 63.
Ball, Henry M., ^.
Ball, John B., 71.
Ball, John N., 73.
Ball, Sinecy, 68.
Ball, The Family, 62.
Ball, William D., 68.
Ball, Wooster O., 67.
Barber, John L., 498.
Barney, Hiram S., 425.
Bent, George W., 276.
Bent, Hartwell F., 645.
Besha, Charles E., 926.
Bibbins, Charles N., 11 19.
Bibbins, Schuyler H., 1 1 17.
Bibbins, The Family, 1 1 16.
Bichet, Joseph V., 926.
Bickelhaupt, Adam, 597.
Bingham, The Family, 1292.
Bingham, Wilbur F., 1295.
Blanchard, James A., 1252.
Boltz, Edward G.. 1256.
Brabant, Joseph H., 1097.
Bradford, Anna, 674.
Bradford. Gilbert, 90S.
Bradford, Mary, gi2.
Bradley, Gordon C, 409.
Brainard, Orville V., 1164.
Brainard, The Family, 1 162.
Branaugh, Edmund W., 1 171.
Brazier, Joseph, 976.
Brooks, Otis, 303.
Brown, Aaron, J082.
Brown, Bennett F., 1078.
Brown, Ebenezer, 1075.
Brown, Elon R., m77.
Brown, Moses, 1081.
Brown, Parley, 1076.
Brown, The Family. 1073.
Buchanan, Hiram M., 1151.
Burdick, The Family, 152.
Burnham, Nathaniel, 1121.
Burnham, Nathaniel N., 1122.
Burnham, Stephen, 1122.
Burnham, The Family, 11 20.
Burns, James W., 1138.
Butterfield, Levi A., 1098.
Butts, Charles E., 432.
Cadwell, The Family. 1005.
Calkins, Taylor E., 125.
Calvin, Delano C, 1092.
INDEX.
Camp, Fred S., ig.
Camp, George, 17.
Camp, George V., 19.
Camp. Talcott H., 17.
Camp, The Family, 15.
Camp. Walter B., 20.
Camp, Walter H., 19.
Cantwell, Patrick B., 1069.
Carlisle, John N., 149.
Carney, John JJ., 522.
Carpenter, John M., 122T.
Carpenter. The Family, 953-
Carter, Andrew B., 52.
Carter, Frederick C, 60.
Carter. Herbert D., 1248.
Carter, Lester. 58.
Carter. Zina R., 1230.
Chamberlain. Noah, 949.
Chapin, Alfred, 484.
Chapman, Eugene A., 1034.
Clark. Alexander B., 647.
Clark. Brayton S.. 293.
Clark, Chauncey H., 1344-
Clark. Jedediah H.. 1344-
-^ Clark. The Family, I343.
Clark, William, 1343-
- Clarke, Charles E.. 802.
Clarke, Henderson M., II77-
Clarke, John, 800.
demons, Calvin C, 134' ■
Cleveland, Mcrritt A., 1232.
Cleveland. Milo L., 217.
Cleveland. Stephen R., 216.
Cleveland, The Family, 213.
Cobb, George H., 550.
Coe, George A., 1089.
Cole, John D.. 722.
Collins, The Family, 1086.
Collins, Thomas, 535-
Colon, William, 1223.
Comstock. The Family. 747-
Consanl. William H.. 848.
Converse, Frank A., 602.
Converse. James F., 600.
Cook, Hial, 1 123.
Cooper, Abraham. 612.
Cooper, Howell, 613.
Cooper, Miles, 372.
Cooper, Nicoll J., 615.
Cooper, The Family, 611.
Copley, Alexander. 1068.
Copley. The Family. 1064.
Copp. John H.. 402.
Cory. Curtis. 684.
Cory, Curtis W., 924-
Cory, George F., 926.
Cornwall. Andrew, 255.
Cornwall. Andrew C, 257.
Cornwall, Charles W., 259.
Cornwall. JIarvey A., 262.
Cornwall, John I., 261.
Cornwall. The Family. 253.
Crandall, Jerry W., 1024.
Crawe, J. Mortimer, 653.
Davis, Cushman K., 759.
Davis, Francis G., 1212.
Davis, Francis W., 1311.
Davis, Richard, 591.
Davis, Thomas J., 592.
Deane, Henry H., 265.
Decker, James H.. 418.
Decker, William H., 398.
Delany, John T.. 219.
De Long. Huldah P., 1008.
Demarse, Virgil J., 1055.
Dempster, Adelbert B., 636.
Dcnison, Charles E., 918.
Denison, The Family. 916.
Denison, William A., 919.
Devendorf, George A., 420.
Dewey, Frank S.. 718.
Dewey. The Family, 715.
Dexter, Benjamin A., 1108.
Dexter. Carolyn M., 1112.
Dexter, Charles P., 1 116.
Dexter, David, mo.
Dexter. Everett A., iiii.
Dexter, Frank A., 1109.
Dexter, Henry C, III4-
Dexter. Simeon. 11 13.
Dexter, The Family, 1 107.
Dillenback, Lewis S., 938-
Dillin. Edwin, 180.
Dolan, James, 1282.
Douglas, Curtis N., 207.
Douglas, Daniel C, 207.
Douglas, John P.. 205.
Dressor, George F.. 828.
Dressor, The I'aniily, 824.
Dunlap. Harlan P., 45o.
Dunlap. Lyman H., 896.
Durham. James JL, 1146.
Fames, Elisha D., 970.
Eames, Frederick W., 972.
Eames. Thomas, 970.
Earl. Guy C. 1170-
Earl, Mrs. Mabel K., 1169.
Earle, The Family. 389-
Eggleston. George V., 1 197.
Ellis. Charles A.. ii43-
Ellis Richard. 836.
Ellis, Thomas. 843.
Ely, Adriel, 1216.
Ely, Foster, 1217.
Ely, Frederick G., 1218.
Ely, Theodore N., 1219.
Ely, The Family. 1215.
Emery. William R., 1027.
Emmons, Orson L., 327.
Emmons. Ward N.. 1224.
Emond, John F.. 278.
Esselstyn, The Family, 920.
Failing. Demster. 263.
Fairbanks, George R., 50.
INDEX.
Fairbanks, The Family, 48.
Farrar, The Family, 519.
Farrar, VVihiam S., 521.
Farwell. The Family, 1083.
Field, Brayton A., 136.
Field, The Family, 132.
Fish, Albert, 1261.
F'iske, Isaac H., ggi.
Fitzgerald, William, 288.
Flansbiirgh, Amasa M., 290.
Fletcher, Frank A., 154.
Flower, Anson R., 11.
Flower, Frederick S., 13.
Flower, George W., I.
Flower, Nathan M., I.
Flower, Roswell P., 8.
Flynn, Patrick H., 493.
Foley, Michael J., 1062.
Folger, Howard S., 404.
Ford, James W., 625.
Ford, Mrs. J. Wallace, 625.
Ford, Wayland F., 247.
Forsyth, Charles 15., 209.
Foster, D. G., 236.
Foster, Jabez, 993.
Fowkes, John T., 1150.
Fowler, The Family, 691.
Fox, Alfred, 854.
Fox, Byron, 854.
Fox, The Family, 365.
Frame, Herbert J., 570.
Freeman, William P., 394.
Frink, Heman H., 113S.
Fuller, Harrison, 790.
Fulton. Caleb. 837.
Fulton, Daniel, 838.
Fulton, David, 843.
Fulton, David (3), 838.
Fulton, Elijah, 845.
Fulton, Elisha F., 841.
Fulton, Haskil B., 845.
Fulton. James (2), 836.
Fulton, Jesse, 839.
Fulton, John C, 847.
Fulton, Luke, 844.
Fulton, Samuel, 842.
F"ulton, Simeon, 840.
Fulton, Thomas, 843.
Fulton, Thomas E., 846.
Fulton, The Family, 836.
Galvin, James. 506.
Gallup, The Family, 1243.
Gamble, Charles W., 323.
Gamble. John M., 323.
Gamble, The Family, 322.
Ganter, Constantine, 437.
Gates, Cranson O., 766.
Gates. Edward M., 984.
Gazin. Charles A., 542.
George, Silas L., 461.
Gibson, The Family. 731.
Gifford, Burt W., 307.
Gifford, Stephen, 308.
Gill, The F'amily, 677.
Giltinan, Michael, 433.
Gleason, IMichael, 894.
Gonseth, John G., 569.
Goodale, Addison W., 667.
Goodale, Ruggles, 668.
Goodenough, Ira, 1036.
Goodenoiigh, Robert D., T030.
Gordon, Frank J., 530.
Gotham, Merritt D., 305.
Gould, Alexander F., 453.
Grafton, John G., 459.
Granger, Alfred L., 8ig.
Grant, Robert P., 572,
Gray, Richard L., 351.
Green, Willis H., 1165.
Greene, The Family, 131S.
Greenleaf, Louis C, 239.
Gregory, Charles, 532.
Grenell, Samuel B., 311.
Grenell, William H., 1028.
Hadcock, Benjamin, 798.
Hadcock, George B., 799.
Hadcock, The Family, 798.
Hale, Algernon S., 1106.
Hall, Alonzo P., 736.
Hall, Frederick L., 488.
Hall, Gaylord W., 272.
Hall, John L., 738.
Halpin, William H., 1323.
Hamlin, Harriet A., 641.
Hamlin, Horace, 641.
Hamlin, The Family, 639.
Hanchette, William D., 653.
Harbottle, John G., 563.
Harder, Anson, 649.
Hardy, Charles C, 781.
Hardy, Charles J., 244.
Hardy, Phineas, 783.
Hardy, Robert. 780.
Hardy, The Family, 779.
Harrington, Benjamin F., 178.
Harris, Erastus. 1159.
Hatch. George W., 510.
Hatch, Henry. 794.
Hawes, The Family, 990.
Hawes, W. W., 988.
Hawn, Lincoln G., 701.
Hayes, Franklin P., 1298.
Hemings, Frederick E., 514.
Herrick, Osgood E., 727.
Herring, William P., 165.
Heyl, George, 248.
Hinds, Franklin A., 182.
Hinsdale, George, 618.
Hinsdale, Ira, 618.
Hinsdale, The Family, 617.
Hitchcock, Robert. 415.
Holden, Christopher A., 692.
Holley, Marietta, 528.
Holmes, Alfred A., 1237.
INDEX.
Holmes, Wallace W., 1240.
Hotchkin, Walter B., 1049.
Houghton, Almon H., 406.
Houghton, Royal, 554.
Howland, Eugene B., 301.
Howland, Fred, 718.
Howland, Herbert J., 299.
Howland, Richmond, 300.
Howland, William, 300.
Hubbard, Alfred O., 1266.
Hubbard, Cyrus, 1271.
Hubbard, Dwight L., 1328.
Hubbard, Edwin C, 1266.
Hubbard, Fernando D., 1263.
Hubbard, Joel, 1264.
Hubbard, Levi, 1 169.
Hubbard. Noadiah, 1338.
Hubbard, Samuel 1271.
Hull, C. J., 79-
Hull, George E., 81.
Hull. Philip, 76.
Hull, The Family, 75.
Hull, William P., 79-
Hungerford, Edwin, 26.
Hungerford, Elbert, 27.
Hungerford. James M., 27.
Hungerford, Orville, 32.
Hungerford, Solon D., 28.
Hungerford, The Family, 23.
Hunt Isaac L., 595.
Hunt, Theodore L., 429.
Hunting, Stanley E., 237.
Hutchins, Thomas M., 246.
Ives, Fred S., 1003.
Ives, Garrett, looi.
Ives, Jotham, 1000.
Ives, Lewis G., 1002.
Ives, The Family, 999.
Jabas, George F., 452.
Jeffrey, Manuel, 1198.
Johnson, James, 357.
Johnson, Levi A., 834.
Johnson, Orrin, 1259.
Johnson, Solon H., 356.
Johnson, Sherman W., 1261.
Johnson, Warren W., 1257.
Johnson. William, 834.
Johnston, Simon G.. 338.
Johnston, The Family, 988.
Jones, James E., 500.
Jones, John E., 393.
Jones, John G., 1173.
Keller, Charles A., 372.
Keller, Frederick, 371.
Keller, Paul, 372-
Kelsey, Lorenzo T., 589.
Kendall, Aldridge, 976.
Kendall, Bird, 976.
Kendall, Charles H.. 981.
Kendall, Frank, 979.
Kendall, The Family, 973.
Kilby, Allen E., 936.
Kimball, George B., 462.
Kinne, Clarence E., 709.
Kinne, The Family, 704.
Kirby, Fred AL, 1185.
Klock, Morgan, 223.
Knowles, Russell K., 1272.
Knowlton, George W., 174.
Knowlton, George W., 177.
Knowlton, John C, 175.
Knowlton, The Family, 172.
Laird, Alexander, 610.
Laird, William D., 610.
Lake, Christopher C, 1 194.
Lamon, Francis (l), 804.
Lamon, Francis (2), 805.
Lamon, Francis R., 806.
Lamon, John J., 804.
Lanphear, Hiram K., 545.
Lanphear, Nelson W., 548.
Larmon, Alexander, 368.
Leak, Henry B., 221.
Lee, Morris E., 664.
Lester, Edwin. 370,
Lewis, Augustus P., 113.
Lewis, Eugene G., 109.
Lewis, Henry H., III.
Lewis, Myron, 113.
Lewis, Stephen S., no.
Lewis, The Family, 105.
Lingenfelter. Charles, 1041.
Lingenfelter. D. Flenry, 251.
Lingenfelter. William H., 360.
Littlefield. Calvin, 168.
Loomis, Alvin, 884.
Loomis, Ashley, 888.
Loomis, Harvey, 892.
Loomis, Horace, 892.
Loomis, Horace A., 891.
Loomis, John, 883.
Loomis, Jonathan, 882.
Loomis, Joseph, 893.
Loomis, Manley. 888.
Loomis, Otis, 885.
Loomis. Samuel, 883.
Loomis, Stoel W., 889.
Loomis, Sylvester, 887.
Loomis, The Family, 882.
Loomis, Wilbur H., 891.
Loomis, Wilbur H., 893.
Lord, Chester S., 1284.
Lord, Judah, 861.
Lord. The Family. 860.
Lowe, Alfred D., 118.
Lowe, Frank D., 120.
Lowe, Genealogy, 115.
Lowe, John D.. 122.
Lowrey. Orin H., 298.
Lyman, Caleb N., 302.
Lynd, George A., 328.
Lyon, Daniel D., 898.
INDEX.
Maher, Michael C, iioo.
Makepeace, Solomon, 1040.
Mann, Newton B., 635.
Manville. George P., 1321.
Martin, John P., 1307.
Martin, Michael, 561.
Martin, William V., 563.
Massey, Albert P., 812."
Massey, Edward S., 811.
Massey, Francis W. H.. 816.
Massey, George B., 810.
Massey, Hart, 810.
Massey, Solon, 816.
Massey, William P., 817.
Mather, Seth, 1048.
McAllaster, Francis, 674.
McAllaster, The Family, 673.
McBride, Ai, 227.
McBride, Mrs. Ai, 230.
McCartin, George S., 579.
McConnell, Joseph A., 226.
McCulloch, John W.. 435.
McCumber, Milo, 267.
McGinnis, Isaac, 686.
McKinley, George H., 345.
McKinstry, Willard D.. 379.
McNitt, Frederick H., 559.
McQuillan, Peter, 504.
'Merrill, Erwin M., 97.
Merrill, Ray W., 104.
Merrill, Samuel L., 103.
Merrill. The Family, 95. ,
Merriman. Clark G., loig.
Metcalf, Albert H., 644.
Millard, Philip, 619.
Miller, John A., 928.
Miller, William E., 212.
Mills, .Antonio F., 1274.
Minar, Elbridge G., 623.
Mofifatt, Alexander C., 142.
Mof¥att, Aqnilla, 142.
Moffatt, David, 142.
MofTatt, Edwin, 143.
Moffett, Charles D., 140.
MofTett, John F., 141.
Moffett, The Family. 138.
Monroe, Frederick. 1033.
Montondo, Jerry N., 1 137.
Moody, Harry A., 950.
Moore, Andrew J., 1340.
Moore, Robert M., 1250.
Moore, William H., 187.
Morse, George E., 347.
Mullin. John, 741.
Miillin, Joseph, 741.
Mullin, Joseph, 742.
Munson, The Family, 751.
Murtha, Thomas, 11 54.
Nill, John. 698.
Nims, Livingston A., 1184.
Norton. Hiram F., 330.
Nott, Claude R., 1296.
Norwood, William, 1063.
Nugent, Edmund, 1202.
Oakes, Rensselaer A., 144.
Oakes, Robert P., 149.
Oakes, Simeon, 147.
O'Brien, Dennis, 539.
O'Leary, John, 341.
Olmstead, William S., 1 190.
Olney, The Family, 599.
O'Neill. Robert, 1273.
Outterson. James A.. 955.
Outtcrson, James T., 957.
Parker, Addison B., 332.'
Parker, Alexander, 1129.
Parker, Clinton B., 1131.
Parker. DeWitt L., 1134.
Parker, Frank M., 710.
Parker, Hippocratus, 712.
Parker, James, 1125.
Parker, James (2), 1126.
Parker, Jeremiah, 712.
Parker, John H., 1127. -—
Parker, The Family, 1124. -•
Parker, Virgil F., 1132.
Parker, Winfield S.. 1 128. '"
Parmelee, Charles L., 1300.
Patch, Prescott, 274.
Patch, William J., 1070.
Peck, C. F., 1 174.
Peck, Emerson, 1104.
Peck, John. 1104.
Peck, Joseph, 1 103.
Peck, The Family, 1102.
Penney, Frank D., 1023.
Penniman, Guy, 809.
Penniman, The Family. 807.
Pennock, Emory J.. 580.
Perry, Millard F., 932.
Peterson, Frederick C, 281.
Peterson, Nathaniel S., 279.
Phelps, George B.. 482.
Phelps, The Family, 478.
Phillips, Horace A., 1234.
Pierce, Charles E., 1214.
Pierce, Frank D., 121 3.
Pollard, William H., 655.
Pool, David. 335.
Pool, Sylvanus, 164.
Porter, Charles G.. 726.
Porter, The Family, 724.
Porter. Will R., 1334.
Potter, Benjamin F.. 321.
Potter, Fannie M., 321.
Potter, Harrison C, 638.
Potter, The Family. 320.
Potter. William A.. 714.
Pratt, The Family, 1053.
Prentice, Alfred C. 1317.
Prentice, Henry W., 1317.
Prentice, The Family, 1312.
INDEX.
Prindle, Osbcrt S., 656.
Pringle, James, 933.
Powers, Isaac P., 740.
Purcell, Henry, 233.
Quencer, Albert B., 1290.
Quencer, John J., 1291.
Qiieiicer, The Family, 1287.
Quencer, William J., 1289.
Quinn, Frederick J., 363.
Radigan, Joseph H., 1249.
Randall, Nelson W., 112.
Rea, Peter, 928.
Redway, John S., 603.
Reader, Charles J., 526.
Rees, William H., 1181.
Remington, Alfred D., 914.
Remington, Charles R., 915.
Remington, The Family, 912.
Rhodes, Orlo B., 231.
Riley, Philip, 225.
Roberts, Hugh, 540.
Rockvvood, Dempster, 557.
Root, Arthur C, 823.
Root, The Family. 821.
Rouse, Collins, 1088.
Rouse, Daniel C, 1087.
Rouse, The Family, 1087.
Rouse, 'VV'illiam, 1088.
Rugg, Martin, 1278.
Ruggles, The Family, 6S2.
Ryan, Stephen R., 1043.
Ryder, Archie C, 996.
Sacket, Cornelius T., 659.
Sacket, Francis W., 1178.
Sage, Elias, 880.
Sandiforth, Lewis W., 1304.
Sawyer, Azariah H., 446.
Sawyer, Fred L.. 446.
Sawyer, George, 447.
Sawyer, Joseph W., 443.
Sawyer, Laurentius T., 444.
Sawyer, The Fainily, 440.
Sawyer, Thomas, 440.
Sawyer, William H., 445.
Schmid, Nicholas, 515.
Scott, Adelbert A., 1045.
Scott, Henry, 858.
Scott, Ross C, 859.
Scott, The Family, 856.
Searles, The Family, 377.
Seaver, Alanson D., 167.
Seeber, Walter, 359.
Severance, Cyrus J., 633.
Sewall, Edmund Q., 762.
Sewall, Henry D., 764.
Shaffer. Charles W., 508.
Shelmidine, Jerome L., 696.
Shelmidine, Ora L., 696.
Shelmidine, William, 696.
Sherman, Charles A., 45.
Sherman, Charles N., 47.
Sherman, George C, 46.
Sherman, George C, 42.
Sherman, The Family, 40.
Sherman, Wooster, 1346.
Shoecraft, Jacob, 366.
Shoemaker, John, 325.
Shortt, Edward G., 832.
Sias, William H. H., 621.
Sill, John S., 785.
Simmons, Henrj' E., 496.
Simpson, Alexander, 733.
Simpson, James R., 733.
Sims, Zelotus, 523.
Sixbury, Robert, 929.
Slater, The Family, 1199.
Sloat, Charles W., 400.
Sloat, Maitland B., 930.
Smith, Mrs. Amelia M., 39.
Smith, Betsey, 1089.
Smith, Edward N., 39.
Smith, Ezra, 172.
Smith, Hannibal, 36.
Smith, Henry, 172.
Smith, Reuben, 172.
Smith, The Family, 172.
Smith, William H., 40.
Snell. Albert G., 464.
Snell, John A., 250.
Sourwine, George, 1084.
Spencer, Gordon P., 474.
Spencer, Henry G. P., 475-
Spencer, James D., 476.
Spencer. The Family, 472.
^ Spicer, Edward, 875.
"' Spicer, Henry, 871.
Spicer, Genealogy, 869.
Sprague, Frederick, 1273.
Spratt, John W., 586.
Spratt, Joseph, 589.
Starbuck, James F., 1022.
Stearns, The Family, 1335.
Stebbins, Jean R.. 1207.
Stebbins, John C. 1209.
Stebbins, The Family, 1205.
Stebbins, William C, 1209.
Sterling, Howard, 1281.
Sterling, James, 1279.
Sterling, James L., 1281.
Sterling, John R., 1280.
Sterling, The Family, 127S.
Sternberg, Edwin G., 868.
.Sternberg, The Family, 863.
Stewart, Thomas N., 567.
Stewart, Wayne, 391.
Stoddard, Cephas R., 669.
Stoddard, Levi R., 670.
Stoddard, Levi W., 672.
Stoel. Horace T., 662.
Stone, Livingston, 626.
Story, Frederick T., 657.
Stowell, Fred, 664.
Strecter, tlijah, 721.
INDEX.
Streeter, John C. 7JI.
Streeter, Nelson W., 721.
Strickland. William R., 292.
Stiougli. Byron J., 126.
Swan, Dewey, 283.
Swan, ]\Iartin D., 284.
Swan, Mason M., 283.
Sylvester, Ira, 466.
Taggart, Byron B., 162.
Taggart, Henry, 162.
Taggart, Henry W., 967.
Taggart, Joseph B., 695.
Taggart, Joseph W., 694.
Taggart, William W., 967.
Taylor, George A., 6S0.
Taylor, J. A., 46S.
Taylor, Perry D., 544.
Taylor, Richard, 680.
Thomas, Ira A., 376.
Thomas, Lewis N.. 37C.
Thomas, San ford S., 37S.
Thomas, William, 375.
Thomas, William H. S., 2,^^.
Thompson, Albert, 289.
Thompson, Arthnr J., 1227.
Thompson, Edward H., 234.
Thompson, John C, 985.
Thompson, Myers, 1 189.
Thomson, William M., 577.
Todd, Enoch L., 162.
Todd, Lewis E., 162.
Todd, The Family, 161.
Tolman, Angustus, 774.
Tolman, Charles A., 775.
Tolman, Ebenezer, 772.
Tolman, Solon B., 776.
Tolman, The Family, 771.
Tolman. William, 775.
Tolman, William O., 777.
Treadwell, John H., 1175.
Tremaine, Abner, 793.
Tremaine, Solomon, 793.
Tubbs, Alanson, 796.
Tubbs, Jared C, 796.
Twining, The Family, 1156.
Underwood, William H., 689.
Van Camp, David A., 124.
Van Ostrand, Dexter, 969.
Van Wormer, John R., 963.
Villars. Edward, 502.
Vinton, The Family, 770.
Vrooman, Abraham, 537.
Waldo, Jaram, 946.
W"aldo, Jay W., 942.
Waldo, Jonathan. 946.
Waldo, William O., 947.
Walker, David, 788.
Walker, George S., 786. . ._
Walker, Sylvester, 787.
Walts, Charles H., 735.
Watertown Standard. The. 208
Watson, Don A. D. M., 877.
Watson, Lewis C, 851.
Webster, Walter L., 1326.
Weckesser, Frederick J.. 1226.
Wetherbee, James E., 1167.
Wetterhahn, Gustav G., 334.
Whaling, John, 565.
Wheeler, David H., 1021.
Whitford, Nathan A., 1262.
Whitford, Nathan G., 1 179.
Wilder, Abel, 902.
Wilder, J<'rank P., 907.
Wilder, George J., 903.
Wilder, Mark S., 906.
Wilder, The Family, 900,
Williams, Edward P., 386.
Williams, Frank, 388.
Williams, Frederick, 427.
Williams, Frederick W., 387.
Williams, Pardon C, 353.
Williams, The Family, 380.
Williams, William, 385.
Wilson, Frank E., 318.
Wilson, Samnel, 315.
Wilson, Samnel (2), 319.
Wilson, The Family, 314.
Wilson, William H., 316.
Willes, Jesse E., 960.
Winslow, Bradley, 295.
Winslow, Edward M., 1209.
Winslow, John C, 297.
Wise, James B., 158.
Wise, Joseph, 158.
Witt, Ervin W., 1 192.
Wood, Amos E., 609.
Wood, Ebenezer, 606.
Wood, Gary H., 1345.
Wood. George M., 605.
Wood, Nathaniel (i), 605.
Wood, Nathaniel (2), 607.
Wood. Nathaniel (3), 608.
Wood. Simeon T., 609.
Woodruff. Florace W., 517.
Woodruff. Lloyd O., 517.
Woodruff, Norris M.. 641.
Woodruff, Roswell, 641.
Woolworth, Charles S., k;8.
Woolworth, Elijah ]\t., 195.
Woolworth, Frank W., 197.
Woolworth, Fred W.. 200.
Woolworth, Gilbert E., 191.
Woolworth, John H., 196.
Woolworth, Seymour A., 194.
Woolworth, Smith T.. 191.
Woofevorth. The Family, 188.
WooAvorth. Volney, 193.
Wrape, Patrick R., 490.
York, Leslie C, 1332.
Yousey, Peter, 486.
y£^d:>
^/^X-/^
V
HISTORY
OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY
COLONEL GEORGE WALTON FLOWER, the subject of the
following memoir, was of English descent, his ancestors, known by the
name Floier, holding large possessions in Devonshire at the time of
the Conquest. One of the ancestors, Captain William Floier, was born
near the city of Exeter in 1450 and accompanied the army of King
Edward IV in the descent on France in 1490. He married Phillipa
Crooke and became later a resident of Willston, Dorsetshire. Of his
three sons, William, born 1530, married Elizabeth Kirk.
L From this marriage descended Lamrock Flower, the progenitor
of the American branch of the family. He was born in Whitwell, Rut-
landshire, England. The date of his emigration is not known, but he
settled in 16S5 at Hartford, Connecticut, where he died in 17 16. He
was tlie father of eight children.
n. Lamrock, the second child and eldest son of Lamrock ( i )
Flower, was born at Hartford, March 25, 1689. He had a daughter
and a son.
EL The son, Elijah, was born April 15, 17 17, at Hartford, where,
in 1742, he married Abigail Seymour, by whom he had six children.
IV. George Flower, son of Elijah, was born at Hartford, April
26, 1760. He married Roxeline Crowe and soon after the birth of his
son George moved to Oak Hill, Greene county, New York. He was
the father of ten children.
V. Nathan Munroe, the seventh child of George Flower, born at
Oak Hill, December 14, 1796, was married in Springfield, New York,
2 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
to Mary A. Bo3le, daughter of Philip Boyle, of Cherry Valley, New
York. Mr. Boyle was a native of Ireland, coming to this country in
his childhood, where in due time he engaged in extensive contract work,
being one of the contractors of the first water works in New York city.
After his death the family moved to Springfield, New York. Soon
after his marriage Nathan M. Flower took up his residence in Theresa,
this county, where he erected a cloth mill, and the business prospered
under his intelligent management. For many years he was a justice of
the peace at Theresa, and during his residence there one of the most
active members of the Presl>yterian church. He died April 4, 1843,
in his forty-seventh year. Of the nine children born to Nathan and
Mary Ann Flower seven were living at the date of his untimely death,
the eldest being but fifteen, the youngest, Anson R., having been born
in June, 1843, two months after the death of his father. Mrs. Flbwer
made a brave and successful struggle to rear her young family into
meritorious manhood and womanhood. Her children were all born in
Theresa. Caroline, the eldest, January 21, 1821 ; Roxaline, March 15,
1826; Nathan Monroe, January 21, 1828; George Walton, August 5,
1830; Orville Ranney, January 21, 1833; Roswell Pettibone, August 8,
1835; Marcus, August 11, 1837; John Davison, April 16, 1839: and
Anson Ranney, June 20, 1S43.
VI. Colonel George W. Flower spent the first thirty years of his
Hfe at Theresa. At the age of sixteen he left the district school and
entered the employ of his brother-in-law, Silas L. George, who kept a
country store. Later he established a mercantile business in his own
name and in addition commenced the manufacture of butter tubs and
cheese boxes. Always an ardent politician, he took an active part in
the Fremont and Lincoln campaigns and, at the breaking out of the
Civil war, at once recruited a company from among his schoolmates
and acquaintances at Theresa, of which he was elected captain.
Colonel Flower came to Watertown in 1865, with a splendid record
as a soldier during the Civil war. At the commencement of the struggle
he had laid aside important business interests, which were promising
of a bright future, and left at home his j'oung wife with her babes, to
take his place in the ranks of the nation's defenders. Having recruited
what became in service Company C. Thirty-fifth Regiment, New York
Volunteers, he was unanimously elected to the captaincy and led his men
to the front. Dutv held him for a time to a season of inactivity at
Falls Church and Falmouth, and this was an experience under which he
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 5
chafed, for he vvas possessed of that intense patriotic spirit and restless-
ness which, to use a phrase of General Sherman's, "marks the enter-
prising soldier." He was soon, however, to engage in the arduous cam-
paign under General McClellan, which culminated in the hard-fought
battle of Antietam. In this engagement, in which his regiment suffered
severely, he was disabled by a fragment of shell from one of the enemy's
batteries. While at home on sick leave, his physical disability resulting
from his wound and his desire to engage in a business by which he
could provide for liis family, determined him to resign his commission.
Of this a biographer and personal friend said :
"He had then served nearly two years, had begun as a captain, and
was yet a captain. He had seen other men, his inferiors in ability, in
moral worth, in previous business conditions, and, in social standing,
rise above him in rank, and as his own regiment had acceptable men in
oflice, promotion there was imlikely. His ambition was unsatisfied, for
he had every quality for making a good soldier and courageous com-
mander. He resigned his captaincy and left the regiment, bearing with
him the sincere respect and affectionate regard of all his comrades."
The same authority speaks of his unfaltering courage, his fortitude
under unexpected reverses, and his unfailing regard for the welfare of
his men, adding, "He had a feeling heart, a high sense of soldierly honor
and an undying faith that in the end all would come out right."
Following his retirement from the army. Colonel Flower was con-
nected with successful business enterprises prior to his removal to
Watertown. There he soon won recognition as a valued citizen and an
honorable business man, and his popularity became so pronounced that
he was elected the first mayor of the city under the city charter in 1869,
and re-elected. During his terms his administration was practical and
progressive and, in this as in other positions, he was ever found
worthy of any public trust reposed in him, and, while his energy and
ambition sought the field of business activity rather than that of politics,
he was nevertheless known as an unfaltering champion of the principles
in which he believed and as one whose loyalty to duty was ever above
question.
Here he engaged in various mercantile pursuits, finally concentrat-
ing his fine business qualification? in building operations. He put up
two fine residence flats, built the Watertown & Sackett Harbor Rail-
road and the State Arm.ory at Watertown. Owing to some oversight
in the work of the architect, the last named building was erected at a
serious financial loss.
6 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
From the time of liis arrival in \Vatertown until his death, Colonel
Flower continued to make that city his home, although his business in-
terests frequently called him elsewhere. He became prominent as one
of the enterprising railroad builders of the state and as a promoter of
various internal improvements. He was also contractor for the retain-
ing dam, that monumental work which holds back the \*ater supply
of New York city. He handled mammoth enterprises with ability,
building sections of the Chicago & North-Western Railway and New
York and New England Railroad, and in the conduct of business affairs
his judgment was rarely if ever at fault.
On December i8, 1855, Colonel Flower was united in marriage
with Miss Mary Elizabeth Putnam, born February i, 1836, in Auburn,
New York, daughter of Lansing and Sarah Ann (Chrysler) Putnam.
Since her husband's death she has continued to reside in Watertown.
Their son, Frederick S. Flower, is a member of the firm of Flower &
Company, New York city. Their daughter, Maiy Elizabeth, was born
February 10, 1857, in Theresa, and was married October 2, 1879, to
John Sterling Robinson, second son of Dr. Samuel M. and Maria B.
Robinson, all of Watertown. One son was born to them January 23,
1881, in Watertown, and named Anson Flower Robinson. His mar-
riage took place October 22, 1902, in Watertown, the bride being Miss
Marguerite Williams, daughter of Hon. Pardon C. Williams. (See
Williams.) John Sterling Robinson died September 19, 1896.
Colonel Flower, having contracted a serious cold, died of acute
pneumonia in the Union Square Hotel of New York city, May 4, 1881.
A friend of long standing said of him : "He was a lovable man, as
shown in his respect and enduring affection for his parents; by his quick
response in sympathy and material aid for anyone in distress, especially
for those whom he knew in his youth. His affectionate regard and
attention to his wife and children, and to the young wards who were
placed in his charge, marked him as a man of fine sensibilities, possess-
ing a high sense of personal responsibility."
The following tribute to his memory comes from the survivors of
his command, who were tenting on the old camp ground :
"Washington, D. C, Dec. 9, 1903.
"At a meeting of the members of Capt. George W. Flower's
Company C. Thirty-fifth New York Volunteers, who now reside at or
in the vicinity of Washington, D. C. and held at Falls Church, Va., on
December 5, 1903, and when were present Robert Dewar, H. N. D.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 1
Parker, Lewis Toole)', Lyman Ballard and John Jay Beardsley, the fol-
lowing officers were chosen: Chairman, Comrade Parker; secretary,
Comrade Beardsley.
"The following motions were unanimously adopted : First, to send
a mesage of respect and affection to the widow of our beloved first com-
mander. Captain (afterward Colonel) George W. Flower. Comrades
Beardsley and Ballard were appointed a committee to draft and forward
such message.
" 'Mrs. George IV. Flotcer, Watertoivm, N. Y.:
'Dear Madam. — Referring to the above resolution which was
unanimously adopted and most heartily approved, permit me to discharge
the pleasant duty of expressing to you our respect and high esteem and
of thanking you for the interest which you ever showed in the welfare
of our dear old Company C. Of much that has been written as to the
influence of women in the Civil war, perhaps the most positive was that
of a war correspondent, who stated that "if the men of the south had
been as determined as were the women the south could not have been
conquered." Be that as it may or may not be, we credit you, and the
mothers, wives and sisters of the members of our company with the
most hearty, loving and loyal support, and we recall with feelings of
pride and genuine reverence your visit to our camp, Falls Church.
" 'Captain Flower was one of the first in our midst to catch a
glimpse of the tremendous conflict which awaited us. To him belongs
tlie credit of organizing the first company sent from Theresa, and which
consisted largely of his neighbors and their sons, and by his energy and
indomitable will, and early grasp of the idea of a true soldier, trans-
formed alike the men taken from the plow and the office desk and from
the school intO' efficient, active soldiers. Many of the company gave up
their lives from disease contracted in the line of duty, from wounds
and in the shock of battle. At Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam
and Fredericksburg, their bodies are mingling with the soil of Virginia
and Maryland.
" ' "On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn sound
The bivouac of the dead."
" 'And now. Dear Madam, after forty years five of our (of your)
old Company C have had a little reunion of our own at this historic place.
We deeply regretted that you were not present. Old memories were
revived, old acquaintances renewed, anecdote and camp stories, some
grave, some gay, interspersed the evening, and we forgot for the time
that we had reached the three-score mark. We find as we grow older
that our memories revert more and more to our boyhood days, and
among the most pleasant of the recollections of our soldier life are those
of the time when we were under the command of your husband. Captain
8 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Flower, the esteemed citizen, the courteous gentleman, the gallant
officer. With best wishes for your health and happiness, we are
" 'Very truly youi's,
" 'John Jay Beardsley,
" 'Lyman Ballard.' "
VI. HON. ROSWELL P. FLOWER, one of the most masterly
of the many brilliant statesmen who have adorned the high office of
governor of the state of New York, was native born, his birthplace being
Theresa, in Jefferson county, and the date August 8, 1835. He died at
Eastport, Long Island, May 12, 1899.
He came of an excellent ancestry from which he derived superb
physical vigor and sterling principles, and he forged his own character
in that white heat of poverty and necessity which consumes all dross
and leaves a perfect metal. He was descended from that Lamrock
Flower who came from Ireland and settled in Hartford, Connecticut,
in 1685.
Roswell Pettibone Flower, the fourth son and sixth child in the
family of Nathan M. Flower, was left fatherless at the tender age of
eight years. As a lad he worked at wool picking, in a brickyard and
upon a farm. He attended school as he could, and was diligent in his
studies as he was industrious in his labors, and graduated in the high
school course when eighteen years old. He was for some time a teacher
in a district school, acquitting himself most creditably and conquering
the respect of his pupils when they were disposed to resent the authority
of so young a master. He made his home with his sister's husband,
Silas L. George, a merchant, who boarded him and paid him a monthly
wage of five dollars for his services. He was afterwards a clerk in the
postoffice at Watertown. He was closely economical and saving, and in
a few years had accumulated a little fortune of a thousand dollars. This
he invested in a jewelry and brokerage business which he successfully
conducted until 1869, in which year he removed to New York city,
having been made executor of the estate of his deceased brother-in-law,
Henry Keep. In this important trust he displayed the finest executive
and financial ability, and the estate quadrupled in value under his man-
agement. In 1 87 1 he became a member of the banking and brokerage
firm of Benedict, Flower & Company, from which he retired in 1875
to become senior member of the banking firm of R. P. Flower & Com-
pany. He was also officially connected with various corporations, and
was a trustee and honorary vice president of the Colonial Trust Com-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 9
pany, a trustee of the Metropolitan Trust Company, and a director in
the Corn Exchange Bank, the National Surety Company, the United
States Casualty Company, the People's Gas Light and Coke Company,
of gas companies in Chicago, and of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad Company. He retained a home in his native village, with
whose interests he never ceased to be actively and usefully identified.
Governor Flower was during all his active career one of the most
potential political figures in the state. A Democrat of the highest stamp
of character and ability, he took an earnest part in support of Seymour
and Blair in the presidential campaign of 1868. In 1876 he was fore-
most as organizer of the initial movement which led to the nomination
of Samuel J. Tilden for the presidency. At the succeeding election he
was elected to the forty-seventh Congress from the eleventh New York
district, defeating William Waldorf Astor. In 1882 he was presented
as a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination, and in convention
received 183 votes as against the same number for General William H.
Slocum, and sixty-one for Grover Cleveland. At this juncture it became
apparent that political necessity demanded a candidate from outside the
city of New York, and Mr. Flower withdrew to make way for Mr.
Cleveland, who was made the nominee and thus placed upon the highway
which led him to the presidency. In the same year Mr. Flower was
made chairman of the Democratic congressional committee. In 1883
he declined a renomination to Congress, and two years later declined the
nomination for the lieutenant governorship. In 1888 he was again
elected to Congress, and the same year he was a delegate-at-large in the
Democratic national convention at St. Louis which nominated Mr. Cleve-
land for the presidency, and was chairman of the delegation from the
state of New York. In the same year he was strongly urged to become
a candidate for the lieutenant governorship, but declined for business
reasons. In 1889 he was returned to Congress by a majority of more
than 12,000. In 1892 he was prominently mentioned for the presi-
dential nomination. In that year he was elected governor, receiving a
majority of nearly 50,000 over Hon. J. Sloat Fassett. This fine tribute
was due in large degree to confidence in his integrity, and his unselfish
care for public interests as shown in every instance where a trust was
committed to him. His administration was broadly practical and
sagacious, and his every act was based upon conservative views and an
accurate estimate of conditions and necessities. In Congress his con-
duct was marked by the same high standards. While an ardent sup-
10 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
porter of Democratic principles, lie would subordinate no public interest
to partisan ends, and in whatever legislation he advocated or opposed
his sole object was the promotion of the welfare of the country and the
people. Once, when congratulated upon the excellence of his congres-
sional record, he remarked that whatever of usefulness he had accom-
plished was due to his constant endeavor to learn as much as any other,
and, if possible, more, concerning whatever matter was entrusted to a
committee of which he was a member. In the fifty-first Congress he
made an enviable record in championship of a movement for the hold-
ing of the Columbian Exposition of 1893 in New York city. He earn-
estly opposed the McKinley tariff bill and the "force bill," as he did the
attempt of the Farmers' Alliance to establish a system of sub-treasuries
for the loaning of public funds on field crops, domestic animals, etc.
He was a warm advocate of liberal but well guarded soldiers' pension
legislation, of the election of postmasters by the people, and of the
irrigation of the arid regions of the west.
Governor Flower amassed a large fortune, estimated at about
$25,000,000, and in its acquisition no taint of wrong-doing, either in
personal or public life, ever attached to him. He was broadly philan-
thropic, and for many years set apart one-tenth of his income for benevo-
lences, and the sums thus distributed amounted to more than a million
dollars. He built the Flower Surgical Hospital in New York city, and
with Mrs. Flower he erected the St. Thomas Parish House in the same
city, at Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth streets and Second avenue, for work
among the poor. The inspiration for this noble benefaction is told in a
memorial tablet bearing the following inscription : "Erected to God by
Roswell P. Flower and Sarah M. Flower, in memory of their son, Henry
Keep Flower." Mr. Flower also built, as a memorial to his parents, a
Presbyterian church edifice at Theresa, New York, and he and his
brother, Anson R. Flower, of New York city, erected Trinity Protestant
Episcopal church at Watertown, New York. His givings to all manner
of charitable and benevolent institutions are acounted for in previous
references in this narrative. It is to be added that, while govey-nor of
New York, in 1S93, there arose urgent necessity for the purchase^of Fire
Island as a state quarantine station. There were no available public
funds, and Governor Flower unhesitatingly advanced the amount needed,
$210,000. That he was afterward reimbursed by act of the legislature
in no way detracts from the merit of his act.
Governor Flower was essentially a self-made man, and, in larger
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. H
degree he was self-educated. He was a man of broad knowledge, not
alone in the fields of finance and politics, but in literature and the arts.
His city residence in Fifth avenue. New York, and his summer home at
Watertown were boLh eloquent in their furnishings and contents of his
refined tastes. His library was rich in the choicest of literature, particu-
larly of Americana, and he was the owner of a large mass of valuable
autographic relics of all the presidents of the United States from Wash-
ington down to his own day. In recognition of his high attainments and
signally useful public services Lawrence University in 1893 conferred
upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
Governor Flower was married, in 1859, to Miss Sarah M. Wood-
ruff, daughter of Norris M. WoodrufT, of Watertown, New York, a lady
of beautiful character, who washer husband's active ally in all benevolent
and charitable works. Three children were born to them, of whom a
son and a daughter are deceased. The living child is Emma Gertrude,
who is now the wife of J. B. Taylor, of Watertown, New York.
VL ANSON RANNEY FLOWER. As a man of affairs and
a philanthropist, Anson Ranney Flower belongs alike to New York city
and to Watertown, but it is the latter place which claims him as a citizen
and it is to this city, in which he makes his home, that he is bound by all
the endearing ties of social and domestic life. He comes of English
ancestry and belongs to a family which has given to the country an
unusual number of useful and worthy citizens.
Nathan Monroe Flower was an owner of a woolen mill at Theresa,
Jefferson county, where the farmers of the neighborhood would bring
their wool to have it carded and made into cloth. Mr. Flower was a
prominent man in the community, holding for many years the office of
justice of the peace, and serving as captain of militia. He was one of
the founders of the Presbyterian church at Theresa. His wife was Mary
Ann, daughter of Philip Boyle of Cherry Valley, New York. Mr. and
Mrs. Flower were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are
now living; Nathan M., who resides in California, and Anson Ranney,
mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Flower (a sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this work), died in 1843, leaving behind him the memory
of a benevolent. God-fearing man, highly respected and greatly beloved.
He was survived more than a quarter of a century by his widow, whose
death took place in 1869.
Anson Ranney Flower, son of Nathan and Mary Ann (Boyle)
12 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Flower, was born June 20, 1843, at Theresa, where he received his edu-
cation in the common schools. After serving as a clerk in one of the
stores of his native place, he went, at the age of seventeen, to Water-
town, where he was employed in the dry goods store of Cadey and
Mosher, and later obtained a position in the Watertown postoffice. In
i(S6i he went to Washington as a clerk in a wholesale army supply
store, remaining there throughout the Civil war. In 1865 he returned
to Watertown, where his brother, Roswell P. Flower, who subsequently
became Governor of New York, had established a jewelry business. For
some years Mr. Flower was associated with his brother, and in 1877 went
to New York as one of the firm of R. P. Flower and Company, bankers,
his position being that of junior partner. When the senior partner was
elected governor of the state, he retired as a general partner and the
firm name changed to Flower and Company, with Anson R., John D.
Flower and Frederick S. Flower as general partners, and Governor
Flower as special partner, a connection which was maintained until 1899,
when it was dissolved by the death of Governor Flower. Soon after this
event Mr. A. R. Flower succeeded to the position of special partner.
Upon the formation of the firm it at once assumed a leading position in
Wall street, a position which has strengthened and extended with the
lapse of time. It has been prominently identified with the Chicago and
North-Western Railway, the Rock Island Railroad, the Chicago and
Eastern Illinois Railroad, and a number of industrial enterprises. The
members of this firm took a leading part in organizing the Federal Steel
Company and the United States Steel Company. They also organized
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company by reorganizing the old Long
Island Traction Company, thus absorbing all the surface and elevated
lines in Brooklyn, except one.
Mr. Flower is a director of the Colonial Trust Company, the Rock
Island Company of New Jersey, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific
Railroad Company, the Rock Island and Peoria Railroad Company, and
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company. He is also a member of the execu-
tive committee of the last-named organization. He is a director in the
Amalgamated ("opper Company, the Nassau Electric Railroad Company
of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Heights Railroad Company of Brooklyn, the
International Paper Company and the Peoples Gas Company of Chicago.
He is vice-president and director of the Watertown Gas Company and
director of the H. H. Babcock Company, carriage manufacturers of
Watertown. He is one of the trustees of the Watertown Cemetery
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 13
Association and of the Henry Keep Home, of whicli latter institution he
was one of the incorporators. Mr. Flower's works of charity, while
wholly free from ostentation, are of uncommon magnitude. He makes
it a habit to give one-tenth of his income yearly, although almost invaria-
bly his benefactions exceed that amount. Two of the churches at Theresa
and one at Evans Mills received from him gifts of $1,500 each, while to
a church at Felts Mills he gave $500. He is one of the trustees of the
Flower Hospital of New York city, which was built by Governor Roswell
P. Flower at a cost of $30,000, and also president of the board of trustees
of the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Mr.
Flower gave $25,000 toward the maintenance of this hospital and also
bestowed on it a dispensary building which cost $23,500. He has given
several thousand dollars to the VVatertown City Hospital and $6,000 to
Stonywald Sanatorium in the Adirondacks. He is a director of the
Watertown Savings Bank, and over and above all his public philan-
thropies has assisted friends in the payment of mortgages and in various
ways to an extent which will never be known save by himself.
Mr. Flower is a member of the Metropolitan Democratic and Man-
hattan clubs of New York city, the Ardsley Club, the Church Club, the
City Midday, and member of the New York Stock Exchange. He is a
vestrym.an of St. Thomas' Protestant Episcopal church and junior warden
in Trinity church at Watertown. Thig beautiful church was built by
Mr. Flower and his brother, Governor Roswell P. Flower, at a cost of
$90,000. The former, in addition, contributed towards the erection
of the parish house, the rectory costing $10,000. The melodious chime
of bells and the new organ, each of which cost $5,000, were the gifts of
Mr. Flower to this church, in which he has been for many years an active
worker and to which he has given so many proofs of devotion.
Mr. Flower married in 1870 Am.elia Laura, daughter of Henry H.
Babcock of Watertown. This union was of short duration, being ter-
minated in 1874 by the death of Mrs. Flower. On December 31, 1878,
Mr. Flower married his sister-in-law, Ida May Babcock, who is active
in church work and various benevolent organizations, being thoroughly
in unison with her husband's kindliness of spirit and philanthropic devo-
tion. Mr. and Mrs. Flower are without children.
Vn. The name of Frederick Stanton Flower needs no introduc-
tion in either New York or Watertown, occupying as it does a leading
place in the business and social worlds of both cities. He is a son of
Colonel George W. Flower, the story of whose eventful life, as well as
14 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
the history of the distinguished family from which he sprang, is given
elsewhere in this work.
Frederick S. Flower was born February 8, 1858, in Theresa and re-
ceived his education in the public schools of Watertown. He was after-
ward employed in the jewelry business conducted by his uncles, Ros-
well P. and Anson Ranney Flower, and subsequently assisted his father
in mercantile business and in the management of railroads, including the
Carthage, Sacketts Harbor & Watertown Railroad, and also some rail-
roads in the west. Before attaining his majority Mr. Flower himself
built four miles of the Chatfield branch of Winona and the St. Peter
division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He afterward came
to New York and entered the banking house of his uncle, Governor Ros-
well P. Flower, with whom he was associated as business secretary. It
was in 1878 that he came to New York and in 1884 he purchased a seat
in the stock exchange and on the death of John D. Flower became head
of the firm. He succeeded his uncle, Anson Ranney Flower, as director
of the New York Air Brake Company and is a director of the Universal
Gaslight Company of Chicago. He is one of the directors of the Lang-
don Zinc Company of Missouri, the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad
Company and the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad. He is director and assist-
ant treasurer of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. He is a trustee
of the Flower Hospital and is much engaged in works of charity.
Mr. Flower is a member of numerous business arid benevolent or-
ganizations and social bodies, as below enumerated, with rank in each :
Director: Brooklyn Union Elevated Railroad Company, Chicago
& Eastern Illinois Railroad Company, Evansville & Terre Haute Rail-
road Company, Knickerbocker Telephone & Telegraph Company, Lang-
don Zinc Company, New York Air Brake Company, and Universal Gas
Company of Chicago.
Trustee : Henry Keep Home, Flower Hospital, New York, New
York Ophthalmic Hospital.
Member: Adirondack League Club, American Geographical So-
ciety, American Museum of Natural History, American Society for Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Animals, Ardsley Club, Ardsley Yacht Club,
Atlantic Yacht Club, Columbia Yacht Club, Country Club of Westchester
County, Democratic Club, Jefferson County Fishing Club, Jefferson
County Golf Club, Jefferson County Society of the City of New York,
Long Island Country Club. Lotos Club, Manhattan Club, Metropolitan
Club, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Military Order of the Lnyal Legion
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 15
of the United States, Municipal Art Society, National Horse Show Asso-
ciation, New England Society, New York Athletic CJub, New York
Produce Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, New York Yacht Club,
Pontiac Game Club, Racquet & Tennis Club, Riding Club, Stony Island
Club, Union Club.
Mr. Flower married, February i8, 1903, Hilda Katherine, daughter
of Milton E. Clark, of Leavenworth, Kansas. Mrs. Flower possesses a
fine soprano voice and has sung in two New York churches — the Madison
Avenue Reformed and St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal. She has been
celebrated as the prima donna of the Bostonians" Opera Company.
CAMP. The Camp family is of English origin, and bore its coat
of arms as early as 1597, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The founder
of the American branch of the family was Nicholas Camp, who- immi-
grated in 1630. Its representatives in Jefferson county have been among
the most intelligent, upright and useful citizens. Their American an-
cestors have distinguished themselves in civic affairs and in the war for
independence. Among these, the names of Camp, Hale, Hitchcock, Hull
and Talcott are the most prominent.
(I) Nicholas Camp is found of record at Milford, Connecticut, in
1639 and at Wethersfield in 1646.
(II) John, son of Nicholas Camp, was of Hartford, and was born
in 1639, and died in 17 10. He had four sons and a like number of
daughters.
(III) John Camp (2), second child and eldest son of John Camp
(i), lived from 1675 to 1747, and had six children.
(IV) John Camp (3), son of John Camp (2). outlived five wives
and died at the age of eighty-four years, leaving three sons.
(V) Elnathan Camp, second son of John Camp (3), died in 1807.
He married Eunice Talcott, who lived from 1736 to 1804, and they had
four sons and three daughters. Elnathan Camp was a captain and quar-
termaster in the continental army.
(VI) Talcott Camp, eldest son of Elnathan Camp, was born in
1762, and died in 1832. He was nineteen years old, and a student at
Yale when he left college and accompanied his father to the field, and was
an active member of the Durham (Connecticut) Company and a com-
missary officer. He was one of the pioneers of Utica, New York, where
he settled in 1798. He was chosen president of the village upon its set-
tlement, and continued as such until its incorporation, in 1809, and served
Itj GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
the first three years as president of the incorporated village. He made
the long journey on horseback to Fort Washington (now Cincinnati,
Ohio), to locate land warrants granted for Revolutionary war service.
The property thus located became valuable, but he lost most of his
revenue from it through the dishonesty of a trusted agent there. His
death was caused by cholera, which he contracted while heroically caring
for victims of the dreadful pestilence. He was a gentleman of the old
regime, and was held in high regard by many of the heroes of the war
for independence, among his warmest friends being the famous sea cap^
tain, John Paul Jones. His wife, Nancy, was a daughter of Captain
Jonathan Hale, who lost his life at Jamaica Plains, while on the way to
the battle of Bunker Hill. Talcott and Nancy Camp had nine children.
The Talcott family is traced to "The Worshipful Mr. John Talcott,"
of Hartford, who died in 1660.
(H) Lieutenant John Talcott, son of John (i), died in 1688. By
his second wife, Mary Cook, he had a son (HI), Hezekiah, who lived
from 1686 to 1764.
(IV) Eunice, daughter of Hezekiah Talcott, 1736-1804, married
Elnathan Camp (of fifth generation, mentioned above), and was the
mother of Talcott Camp. Nancy Hale, wife of the latter, was of the
sixth generation from John Talcott, of Hartford (above mentioned).
(H) Captain Samuel Talcott. son of John (i), graduated at
Harvard in 1658, and died 1691. His wife was Hannah Holyoke.
(III) Deacon Benjamin Talcott, son of Captain Samuel, 1674-
1727, married Sarah Hollister.
(IV) Sarah, daughter of Deacon Benjamin and Sarah Talcott,
1699-1743, married Jonathan Hale.
(V) Captain Jonathan Hale, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Talcott)
Hale, 1718-1776, married Elizabeth Welles, and had seven daughters
and four sons. The sixth child (one of twin sisters) Nancy, married
Talcott Camp (one of twin brothers), as above related (see Camp VI).
(I) Matthias Hitchcock, born 1610, came to these shores in 1639.
His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1676.
(II) John Hitchcock, son of Matthias, died in 1716. In 1670 he
married Abigail Merriman, 1654-1739.
(III) John, son of John (i) Hitchcock, born October 18, 1685,
died 1760. He married, November 21, 1712, Mario (Martha) Munson,
who died July i, 1739 (see Munson II). They had seven sons and two
daughters.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 17
(IV) Dan Hitchcock, son of John (2), and Martha Hitchcock,
bom March 14, 1724, died in 1797. He was married August 17, 1743,
to Esther Miles, of Cheshire, Connecticut. They had three sons and
four daughters.
(V) Eliakim, second son and child of Dan and Esther Hitchcock,
1746-1830, married Ursula Hull, whose ancestry follows :
(I) Richard Hull died in 1662. His son,
(H) Doctor John Hull, 1640-1711, was the father of,
(HI) Captain Joseph Hull, 1668-1744. He married, in 1691,
Mary Nichols, who died in 1733.
(IV) Caleb, son of Captain Joseph and Mary (Nichols) Hull,
1695-17S8, married, in 1724, Marcy (Mercy) Benham.
(V) Andrew Hull, son of Caleb and Marcy (Benham) Hull,
1726-1774, married, in 1750, Lowly Cook, 1730-1785, daughter of Cap-
tain Samuel and Hannah Cook.
(VI) General Andrew Hull, 1758-1827, married, in 1781, Eliza-
beth Atwater, of Cheshire, where he was a farmer and merchant. He
served with distinction in the Revolutionary army.
(VI) Ursula, daughter of Andrew and Lowly (Cook) Hull, was
born November 10, 1760, and became the wife of Eliakim Hitchcock,
and the mother of Mrs. George Camp (see Camp, VII).
(Ill) Mario (Martha) Munson, wife of John Hitchcock (2), and
mother of Dan Hitchcock, was of the third generation in America, a
daughter of Samuel Munson (see Munson, II).
(VII) George Camp, son of Talcott and Nancy (Hale) Camp,
was born in the historic town of Glastonbury, Connecticut, August 8,
1790. In the winter of 1816-17 he came to Sacketts Harbor, where he
set up the first printing press and issued the first newspaper in the village
and one which was noted in its day as a warm champion of federalistic
doctrine, and at the same time as a vigorous exponent of local interests.
His wife, Ehzabeth Hitchcock, daughter of Eliakim Hitchcock, a native
of Connecticut, was reared in Utica, New York. She was a devout
Christian, and active in church work. Elizabeth Camp was the mother
of three sons— Talcott H., deceased, who was for forty years president
of the Jefiferson County Bank ; George Hull Camp, who became a prom-
inent manufacturer, and now resides in Marietta, Georgia ; and Colonel
Walter B. Camp.
(VIII) Talcott Hale Camp, of Watertown, now deceased, son of
George and Elizabeth Camp, was. for about a half century actively identi-
18 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
fied with the city, to which he afforded his aid in the inauguration. and
conduct of many enterprises of enduring worth.
Mr. Camp was born in Utica, New York, January 17, 18 16. He
came of vigorous stock, and was so well preserved that when nearly
eighty years of age he bore himself, in action and appearance, as though
he were not more than sixty. While he was an infant, his father re-
moved to Sacketts Harbor, and there the child was reared and educated-
Attaining his majority, his ambition would not oermit him to remain in
that place, whose business was declining, and, seeking a more promising
field elsewhere, he eventually decided upon Watertown, where he located
early in 1840. He at once opened a drug and paint store in rooms in
the Paddock block, opposite the public square, and his business steadily
developing bi^ought him considerable means, which he used to excellent
advantage by judicious investments. This business ultimately came to
the hands of Camp & Massey, the members of which firm were Mr.
Camp's son, Walter H. Camp, and George B. Massey.
From the time of his coming to Watertown until shortly before his
death, Mr. Camp was numbered among the most enterprising promoters
of community interests. He was among the earliest advocates of the
railroad between Rome and Cape Vincent, and afforded to the project
his intelligent service during many years. An aider in its building, in
face of what at times appeared to be insurmountable obstacles, he never
lost faith, and the successful consummation of the movement was largely
due to his indomitable perseverance and determination. In 1863 he was
elected to the directorate, and his term of sen-ice continued during the
long period of twenty-five years, including seven years in the capacity of
vice-president. The principal offices of the company were located in
Watertown, and the financial affairs were committed in large degree to
his care, and were administered with such masterly ability as tO' meet
the cordial approval of all concerned. Mr. Camp was also for several
years one of the trustees of the Watertown Steam Engine Company,
which during his time and largely tlirough his instrumentality grew into
a mammoth establishment, one of the most important of its kind in the
United States. He was also interested in various other manufacturing
enterprises, antl in the principal financial institutions in the city. For
about thirty years he was a member of the board of trustees of the Jeffer-
son County Savings Bank, and for several years before his death he was.
its president. This institution is notable for the fact that every member
ot the board of directors served without compensation, their only purpose
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 19
being to provide a safe repositor}^ for the funds of depositors, with
special reference to the needs of wage earners, many of whom derived
their hvehhood from the shops in which Mr. Camp was interested as
officer or stockholder. He had also been president of the Jefferson
County Bank since 1S56, and he ever cherished a peculiar pride in it for
its remarkable history and unshaken stability. It had been removed
from Adams to Watertown as long ago as 1821, and in all its long
career had never closed its doors for a single business day, and had safely
withstood all panics, never failing to meet its obligations.
From the time of his taking up his residence in Watertown, Mr.
Camp had been a member of the First Presbyterian church, and a liberal
contributor to its support and to the maintenance of its various objects
of beneficence. Principal among these was the Black River Literary and
Religious Institute, which was established under Presbyterian and Con-
giegational auspices in 1837, for the purpose of affording academical
advantages to the youth of both sexes, and for more than forty years
Mr. Camp was an earnest and useful member of its board of trustees, and
aided generously in its support. He was averse to political concerns, in
the sense that he would not consent to become a candidate for pulJic
position. He was, however, a citizen in the best sense of the word, and
afforded a potent influence to the support of such measures and men
as were approved by his conscience. In his personal life he was an ideal
Christian gentleman, ever ready to meet the deserving poor and dis-
tressed with words of aid and encouragement, and such substantial assist-
ance as the case might demand.
Mr. Camp was married, June 3, 1847, to Miss Ann Elizabeth Sewall,
daughter of Henry D. Sewall. Mr. Sewall was a highly educated gen-
tleman of the old school, who came to Watertown shortly after 1830,
and became known as one of its most progressive citizens, becoming
interested in various textile fabric manufacturing establishments. His
home on SevPall's Island was noted for its hospitality, as he and his family
were for their unaffected gentility and unusual intelligence (see Sewall).
To Mr. and Mrs. Camp were born three sons : Fred Sewall, a cotton
manufacturer in Norwich, Connecticut; Walter Hale Camp, long senior
member of the firm of Camp & Massey, of Watertown, and George Van
Santvoord Camp, both of the Jefferson County National Bank, Water-
town. The mother of this family died on her forty-first wedding anni-
versary, June 3. 1888. Mr. Camp passed away February 7, 1897, and a
general expression of the community voiced deep regret at his departure.
30 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
He was an aid to many individually, "a friend in need," a consoler in
time of trouble and a ready helper in every worthy enterprise.
(VIII) Walter Bicker Camp, third son of George and Elizabeth
(Hitchcock) Camp, was born October i, 1822, at Sacketts Harbor. He
there received a liberal academical education, and in his school days ac-
quired a thirst for knowledge which made him an industrious student
and a keen observer throughout his busy and eventful life. It is, how-
ever, with his services in advancing community interests that we are prin-
cipally interested. His loyalty to his native village, and his desire to
promote its importance, amounted almost to a passion. The construc-
tion of the first railway, that from Sacketts Harbor to Pierrepont Manor,
enlisted his earnest endeavor. He was a liberal contributor to the con-
struction fund, and for two years acted in the capacity of custodian and
local director, and with an altogether disinterested spirit, as will presently
be seen.
His services during the Civil war were of great usefulness. Shortly
after the outbreak of the Rebellion (October 17, 1861) he was chosen by
Governor Morgan to command the military depot at Madison Barracks,
Sacketts Harbor, and was commissioned as colonel upon the guberna-
torial staff. The appointment came unsolicited, and was at first re-
garded by many as little more than complimentary, but, as it transpired,
it carried with it duties of a most arduous character. Taking charge
immediately, Colonel Camp made a firm establishment for the depot, or-
ganizing it upon such a basis as to make it an active center for recruiting
and regimental organizations during the entire progress of the war. He
had one company prepared for. duty at the front in the first twenty-four
hours, and in eighteen days the Ninety-fourth Regiment New York Vol-
unteers had completed its organization. On March 14, 1862, it was
transported to Albany, Colonel Camp accompanying it. It was received
with high pleasure by Governor Morgan, who made a call upon Colonel
Camp, and paid him a high compliment, praising the regiment for its
personnel and discipline, and expressing gratification that it had been
recruited at an expense less by $20,000 than any similar body in the
state, and that (unlike some others) instead of losing nearly thirty men,
it showed a gain of two on leaving camp. Among other notable com-
, mands organized at Sacketts Harbor was the Tenth Regiment Heavy
Artillery, New York Volunteers, in which Colonel Camp took a deep
interest, and was instrumental, as war committee for the town of Houns-
field, in filling. After the war General William T. Sherman, then com-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 21
manding the army, was disposed to abolish the post on account of the
want of railway facilities for the transportation of troops. Colonel
Camp was untiring in his efforts to prevent the abandonment of the
depot, and at once set to work to secure the extension of the Utica
& Black River Railroad to Sacketts Harbor. To this end he enlisted
the interest of the towns on the projected route, and in 1873 the road
was completed. During and after this period, various serious obstacles
were encountered, but all were happily overcome. At one time, during
the occupancy of the barracks under General Ayers, the north half
of the officers' quarters was burned. General Sherman opposed an
outlay for their rebuilding, but Colonel Camp enlisted the aid of Con-
gressman Bagley, and a congressional appropriation of $.35,000 was
secured and the loss was replaced. Again, Colonel- Camp presented
to President Grant the desirability of maintaining the post, and the
influence of that distinguished man worked a great change. Shortly
afterward, General Sherman visited the post, with the Twelfth Regi-
ment United States Infantry, under General O. B. Wilcox, and he
expressed himself as highly gratified with the site and with its buildings,,
and from that time Madison Barracks were well maintained, becoming
among the most complete and desirable military reservations in the coun-
try. In the accomplishment of the result, so dear to his heart, Colonel
Camp was ever able to enlist the sympathy and influence of distingished
military and naval othcers who, with him, appreciated not only the de-
sirability of the situation for military reasons, but also out of sentimental
considerations relating to its earlier civil and military history.
Colonel Camp has otherwise been constantly industrious and signally
successful in preserving the prestige of the historic locality of Sacketts
Harbor. With others who cherished similar desires to his own, he aided,
in 1885, i'l the formation of the Jefferson County Historical Society.
He was then executor of the estate of the late Elisha Camp, from whose
heirs he procured a deed of gift conveying to the society named and to
the village of Sacketts Harbor, jointly, the old battle ground made
famous during the war with Great Britain of 18 12. This tract, compris-
ing several acres fronting on Black River bay, and upon which the re-
mains of the ancient entrenchments are yet discernible, was dedicated
the same year, with imposing ceremonies, under tire auspices of the Jef-
ferson County Historical Society, and with a splendid company of par-
ticipants, including the Twelfth Regiment, United States Infantry, the
Sacketts Harbor Grand Army post, the civil authorities of the count\- and
2-i GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
village, and representatives of various historical societies and localities
from neighboring counties and from Canada. At the unveiling of the
monument "To the Unknown Dead of the War of 1812," buried at
Madison Barracks Cemetery, on Decoration day, 1S88, at the request
of Colonel Richard A. Dodge, Eleventh Regiment Infantry, U. S. A.,
commander of the post, Colonel Camp delivered a historical address
which was at once a comprehensive narrative of the conflict and a
splendid tribute to those who were actors in it, as let witness a single
eloquent sentence of his apostrophe :
"Noble men ! and representatives of a race that possessed our land
not only by contest, with brawn and brain, but with axe for the forest, a
hand and heart for the schoolhouse, neighbor and church, and a flag for
their country ; pioneering the future greatness of an empire for their chil-
dren, as a result of their power and Heaven's gift."
Colonel Camp was elected vice-president of the Jefiferson County
Historical Society wheii it was organized, and served in that capacity
until 1893, when he succeeded President Beman Brockway, deceased,
and has been continued in the position to the present time. Colonel Camp
has made a life-long study of the history of his county, particularly that
relating to the aboriginal occupation, and he has made a choice collec-
tion of Indian relics covering every department of tribal life, and has
written many valuable papers upon topics covered by his investigation.
These labors have given him a certain fame in antiquarian circles, and
he has been brought into honored relationship with the Smithsonian In-
stitution at Washington city, with various historical societies, and with
distinguished men who have pursued similar lines of study.
Colonel Camp has been identified with the Presbyterian church of
Sackett's harbor from his childhood, and it has been constantly the ob-
ject of his solicitude and generosity. In 1879 he built a handsome chapel
which he presented to the society as a Christmas gift, and at a later day
he expended his means and gave his personal care to the construction
of a church tower for the reception of a chime of nine bells, the gift of
Mrs. Marietta Pickering Hay, of Tarrytown. This gift was intended
by the donor to be a memorial to her father. Captain Augustus Picker-
ing, an old-time mariner, who commanded the first vessel that ever en-
tered the port of Chicago. Another gift of Colonel Camp was so char-
acteristic of the man that it need be here mentioned. Narration has been
previously made of liis subscriptions to railroad construction. These
were not made with expectation of direct return, and the unselfish mo-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 23
tives which governed him in the matter are attested by the fact that, when
the road was sold and returns were made to the subscribers of the build-
ing fund, Colonel Camp donated his share to the Presbyterian Church
Society as a fund in perpetuity for repairing the church edifice and for
the purchase of books for the Sunday school library.
Colonel Camp has never married, but he has for many years main-
tained a splendid home. His place of residence is the mansion and
grounds formerly owned and occupied by Commodore Melancthon T.
Woolsey, which came to the Camp family in 1844. Here Colonel Camp
has entertained his friends with a generous and refined hospitality, which
affords a real significance to a phrase which he has ever held in honor :
"Whatever we possess is doubly valuable when we are so fortunate as to
share it with others." Possessed of genuine musical tastes and ability,
his home is adorned with numerous beautiful instruments, upon one of
which, particularly, the flute, he is an expert performer. He has trav-
eled much, in Europe, as well as in America, and has collected many
rare and interesting volumes, works of art and curios. Now in his
eighty-second year, serene in recollections of a well spent life, which has
been a benediction upon those within the sphere of his influence, he can
well realize, in all its delightful fullness, the meaning of the poet's
phrase :
"My mind to me a kingdom is;
Such perfect joy therein I find
As far exceeds all earthly bliss
That God or nature has assign'd."
HUNGERFORD. This name belongs to one of the oldest families
in America, and is borne by numerous residents of Jefferson county. It
has been conspicuous in the annals of many states, and its representatives
have participated in the development of civilization, as pioneers, patriots
and in all lines of business and professional endeavor.
(1) The family had for its first American ancestor Thomas Hun-
gerford, an Englishman. He was presumably a mariner, for his name
does not appear on any ship's list as a passenger. He was at Hartford,
Connecticut, prior to 1639. The records of the colony do not show that
he was an original proprietor to whom lands were divided in fee, but he
acquired land of some proprietor or was granted "lottes to have onely
at the towne's courtesie." He resided on what is now Main street, in
the city of Hartford, and undoubtedly built the house in which he lived.
Early in 1650 he sold his Hartford property and removed to New Lon-
24 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
don, Connecticut, where he died in 1663. The inventory of his estate
shows him to have been a husbandman. His first wife, whose name is
unknown, bore him two children — Thomas (further referred to herein-
after) and Sarah. Sarah was born in 1654, and married Lewis Hughes,
of Lyme, Connecticut. The second wife of Thomas Hungerford was
Hannah, daughter of Isaac Willey, of New London, and to them was
born one child, Hannah, May i, 1659, who married a Ross or Rose, of
Rhode Island.
(II) Thomas, only son of Thomas Hungerford, was born in
Hartford, 1647, and was presumably the first of the family name born
in America. About 1688 he removed to Haddam, Connecticut, where
(December 20, 1697) he was chosen collector, and at a town meeting
(December 27, 1698) was chosen townsman and "sovaire." He was a
farmer or nail-maker. His homestead was in the south part of the pres-
ent town of East Haddam, about a half mile east of the Connecticut
river, a quarter of a mile north of Lyme, his home standing at the cor-
ner of the road, and the property was in the possession of his descend-
ants as recently as 1839. He married, prior to June 6, 1671, Mary Gray,
of Narragansett, Rhode Island. He died in January, 1713-14, aged
about sixty-six years, and was buried in the first burial ground in the
present town; a gravestone bearing the initials, "T. H.," is supposed to
mark his grave. His wife survived him, but the date of her death is un-
known. Their children were: i. Thomas M., of whom further. 2.
John M., who married Deborah Spencer. 3. Green M., who married
Jemima Richardson. 4. Elizabeth M., who married Joseph Gates. 5.
Susannah M., who married Samuel Church. 6. Sarah M., who married
Nathaniel Cone. 7. Mai7 M., who married Stephen Cone. 8. Easter
M., who married Saumel Gates.
(III) Thomas M., eldest child of Thomas and Mary (Gray)
Hungerford, was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1670 or 1671, and
died at East Haddam, Connecticut, in 1743. He married Elizabeth
Smith, who bore him eight children: i. Hannah, born August ;6,
1700, died 1781 : married (first) Samuel Ackley, Jr., and (second) David
Gates. 2. Thomas, born July 11, 1702, died November 12, 1786; he
married Margaret Stewart, who died February 16, 1787. 3. Benjamin,
of whom further. 4. Elizabeth, born December 4, 1707, baptized April
II, 1708. 5. David, probably born in 1710. baptized May 21, 1710,
died about 1755 : he married Sarah . 6. Samuel, died in infancy.
7. Jonathan, baptized April 17, 1715, died about 1771 ; he married Mar-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 25
tha Wells. S. John, born March 4, 1718, baptized May 4, 1718, died
December 15, 1787; he married his cousin, Deborah, daughter of John
Hungerford.
(IV) Benjamm, third child and second son of Thomas M. and
Elizabeth (Smith) Hungerford, was born in East Haddam, Connecti-
cut, December 15, 1705, baptized May 5, 1706. He hved in Millington
Society, on land deeded to him by his father, adjoining that of his
brother, David. Early in 1748 he removed to New Cambridge, in Farm-
ington (now Bristol, Connecticut) and lived on what is now West
street. He married, in 1730, his cousin Jemima, a daughter of Green
Hungerford; they died, respectively, February i, 1790, and June i,
1769; they were buried in the South burying ground at Bristol, Con-
necticut, but there is no known grave mark left. They were the parents
of eleven children: i. Prudence, born August 4, 1731, married Eleazor
Gaylord, January 4, 1749, and died in July, 1804. 2. Mathew, born
May, 1733, married Rachel Spencer. February 26, 1756, and died May,
1809; they had eleven children. 3. Jemima, born May, 1735, died
August, 1757. 4. Rachel, born May, 1737, died October 30, 1828, aged
ninety-two, she married Jesse Gaylord, August 30, 1756. 5. Lydia,
born June 5, 1739, died November 25, 1812, aged seventy-three years;
she married Jabez Bacon, about 1759. 6. Benjamin, born May, 1741,
died September 4, 1775; he married Kesia Walker. 7. Stephen, born
May, 1743, died June 7, 1814, aged seventy-one. 8. Susanna, born
July. 174.S, died July, 1771; she married Jonathan Pond. 9. Timothy,
of whom further; 10. Jacob, born July 16, 1749, died June 23, 1812;
he married Mary Newell, December 13, 1770. 11. Mary, born July,
1751, died August 22, 1823, aged seventy-two years; she married Thomas
Hart.
(V) Timothy, ninth child and fourth son of Benjamin and Jemima
(Hungerford) Hungerford, was born at the Millington homestead in
East Haddam, Connecticut, April, 1747, and was baptized at the Milling-
ton church, Connecticut, May 31, 1747. He lived (until about 1800)
on land deeded to him by his father February 9, 1769, in Farmington,
Connecticut, now Bristol. He then removed to Paris, Oneida county.
New York, and in the spring of 1804 to Watertown, New York. He
died December 5, 1827, in his eighty-first year. He was married at
Bristol, January 21, 1772, by the Rev. Samuel Newell, to Hannah Hei-
cox, who was born m 1749, and died September 28, 1827. in her seventy-
ninth 3-err. They were the parents of seven children : i. Nancy, who
26 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
married Josiah Bradnar, and died March i, 1843. -• Hannah, born
September 13, 1777, ui Bristol, died October 16, 1826. in Watertown,
v.liile the wife of Jabez Foster. 3. Anson, born September 21, 1779,
died July 12, 1864, aged eighty-five years; he married Sarah P. Coe,
in 1802. 4. Timothy, of whom further. 5. Lorrain, died May 10,
1835; she married Daniel Brainard, 1806. 6. Dexter, lx)rn 1789, died
March 2. 1854; he married Marrette Burr. 7. Orville, mentioned at
length below.
(VI) Timothy, fourth child and second son of Timothy and Han-
nah (Heicox) Hungerford, was born in Bristol, October 16, 1781.
About 1800 he removed with his father to Paris, Oneida county, New
York. In the spring of 1804 he removed to Watertown, Jefferson county,
New York, and afterward settled at Watertown Center, where he culti-
vated a farm and kept an inn until his death, November 14, 1857. He
married (first) Mary Richardson, born November 14, 1785, died August
20, 184 1. Their children were George, Edwin, Truman, Mary, Jabez
Foster, William and Mary Ann. His second wife was Nancy Atherton.
(VII) Edwin, second of the five sons of Timothy and Mary (Rich-
ardson) Hungerford, was born at Watertown Center, New York, April
13, 1809, and died at Evans Mills. New York, August 5, 1891, aged
eighty-two years and four months. He married (first), January 30,
1829, Catherine Ferrel, who was born in 1810 and died in February,
1835. September i, 1840, he married (second) Laura ]\I. Haskins, who
was born April 17, 1817, and died February 3, 1863. The children of
his first marriage were: i. Mary Ann, born October 16, 1830, mar-
ried Portal Barney, of Henderson, New York, in December, 1852; he
died in January, 1863, leavirfg children : Kate Louise, born November,
1853; Daniel L., born February 26, 1856. 2. Sarah Ann, bom January
16, 1832, died May 6, 1891. She married David Briant, of Le Ray, New
York, in December. 1852, and to them was born Henry Elbert, in Sep-
tember, 1855. 3. Elbert.
By his second marriage Edwin Hungerford was the father of five
children : i. Edwin Oscar, born at Evans Mills, July 5, 1841 : married
Anna Cook. 2. Alice Adelaide, born at Evans Mills, September 10,
1845; niarried Henry Morris. 3. Ella Jennie, born at Evans Mills,
September 6, 1S47. 4. Lelia lone, born at Evans Mills, April 9, 1850;
married Carleton Clifford, of Rochester, New York. 5. Arthur Eugene,
born at Evans Mills, February 12, 1852: married Jennie B. Porter, of
Lowville. New York.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 27
(V'lII) Elbert, third child and second son of Edwin and Cathe-
rine (Ferrel) Hungerford, was born March i6, 1834. He married, Au-
gust 16, 1S59, Emily Frances Orr, of Pulaski, New York, who was born
in Richland, Oswego county. New York, February 26, 1841, and they
now (1904) reside at Evans Mills, New York. Ten children were born
of this marriage: i. Elva E., born in Watertown, New York, June 21,
1S60; married Walter Flowland, at Evans Mills, April 2, 1891. 2. Burt
Orr, born July 4, 1861, died June 25, 1862. 3. James Montrose, of
whom further. 4. Catherine Blanche, born at Le Ray, New York, De-
cember 9, 1865, and married Stannard Butler, of Pottsdam, New
York. 5. Lyla Frances, born July 5, 1867. 6. Stella Cor-
nelia, born September 8, 1869, and married Fred Rowland, a supervisor
of Rutland, New York. 7. Ferrel William, born August 11, 1874, died
May 15, 1882. 8. Rexel Porter, born April 25, 1877, died May 12,
1882. 9. Ruth Mabel, born November 8, 1882. 10. Frank Elbert,
born February 26, 1886.
(IX) James Montrose, third child and second son of Elbert and
Emily Frances (Orr) Hungerford, was born at Le Ray, New York,
June 26, 1863. He passed his early years at Evans Mills, where he began
his education, which was completed in the high school in Watertown.
He learned the trade of tinsmith, and afterward that of plumber. In
1883 he located in Clayton, where he took the position of foreman in
Atwood Brothers'' plumbing shops, and rendered most useful and accept-
able service in that capacity for a period of five years. He then (in 1888)
opened an establishment of his own, which he has conducted with grat-
ifying success to the present time. One of the largest stores of its char-
acter in this section, it is stocked with a full line of all goods found in
a first-class hardware emporiiun, together with all materials needed for
plumbing of the most serviceable and modern description. Mr. Hunger-
ford is a member of the Congregational church, and in politics is a Re-
publican. He is a member of Clayton Lodge of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Hungerford married, March 26, 1890, at Clayton, Miss Irene
Johnston, who was born in that place, a daughter of Simon G. Johnston,
of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Of this marriage was
born one child, Stanley G., horn in Clayton, May 29, 1896.
(VI) Dexter, sixth child and third son of Timothy and Hannah
(Heicox) Hungerford, was born in 1789, in Farmington, Connecticut,
and died March 2, 1854, in Brownville. He was a farmer and hotel-
keeper, and kept the old inn at Brownville many years. A lover of
28 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
good horses, which he successfully reared, he \Yas among the original
members of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society and always sup-
ported it, as he did other progressive enterprises. He exemplified the
business sagacity and industry which have ever been characteristics of
the family, and was a successful man. His wife, Mariette Burr, was a
member of the famous old American family, whose name has been per-
petuated in this county by the \illage of Burrville. They had three
sons and a daughtei". Elbert Valentine, the eldest, lived and died in
Jefferson county. Solon D., the second, is mentioned at length herein-
after. Delia became the wife of Harlow Ivimball and lived in Water-
town, Chicago and California, her life ending in that State. Naman
B. was many years connected with the Jeft'erson County Bank, and died
in Watertown.
GENERAL SOLON DEXTER HUXGERFORD, whose history
is so intimately connected with that of Jefferson county, and especially
of the town of Adams, belongs to a family whose genealogy can be traced
for at least two centuries. Thomas Hungerford came from the parish
of Shetford, England, thirty or forty miles from London, and went to
Hartford, Connecticut, before the year 1639. Mention is made of a
descendant of the same name in the Hartford State Records, and in look-
ing over the American Archives we find that one John P. Hungerford
was an officer in the Revolution, and member of congress from 1813 to
18 1 7, and died at Turford, Virginia, at the age of seventy- four.
At the head of the fifth generation we have Dexter Hungerford,
who married Marietta Burr, to whom were born five children. The
history of the Burr branch -of the family is a remarkable one, including
the famous Aaron Burr, and other men of genius.
The third of this family, S. D. Hungerford, was born March 12,
1808. His earliest home was on a farm in Watertown. He entered the
drygoods store of Air. Adriel Ely, at the age of fifteen, which proved
a business discipline of great service in shaping his successful financial
career.
After remaining in this position for four years, he decided to pre-
pare for a collegiate course, bul, upon the advice of his kinsman, Hon.
Orville Hungerford, he took the position of bookkeeper in the Jefferson
county bank for a vear. At the expiration of that time he was promoted
to the position of teller, which office he held for eight years, when he
was elected cashier of Lewis county bank, at Martinsburg. At the end
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 29
of two years he was urged by his friend, Mr. Ely, and his uncle, Hon.
Orville Hungerford, to go into banking on his own account, under the
general banking law of 1838.
Through the influence and at the urgent invitation of his friend,
Robert B. Doxtater, and other leading citizens, he was induced to found
an institution at Adams, Jefferson county, called Hungerford's bank,
with a capital of $50,000, October 25, 1845, which he successfully con-
ducted as an individual bank till September, 1853, when the capital was
increased to $120,000, with the same name, and under a board of
directors of which General Hungerford was president. The Banker's
Magazine, after a notice warmly commending the management of the
Hungerford National bank, as it became under the national banking
law, mentions "a remarkable fact connected with the history of Hunger-
ford's bank. It has never suspended specie payments during its exist-
ence of upwards of twenty years, having honored every and all demands
in coin until the advent of greenbacks, in 1861."
Mr. Hungerford had no supei"ior in the successful management of
this complicated business. For clearness of judgment, pleasing address,
and, beyond all, honest and reliable financial management, he was
equally remarkable. His love of agriculture was always intense, both
for the pleasure it afforded and the beneficial influence upon his health,
while it was intimately connected with his business operations.
He was, for many years before his death, closely identified with the
Jefferson county and New York State agricultural societies. For six-
teen years he was on the executive board of the State society, and finally
took the chair of president. His "Valley Park Farm" was one of the
most beautiful in the state. On this he kept one of the best herds of
thoroughbred Ayrshire cattle in the United States, and was largely
engaged in importing and breeding these favorites; also "short-horns,"
Leicester sheep, and Yorkshire swine; and shortly before his death
devoted much attention to rearing horses, having had a just apprecia-
tion of this prince among animals. The Boston Cultivator, May, 1863,
mentions a particularly fine group of cattle on the Hungerford estate.
Railroad interests claimed a share of Mr. Hungerford's time and
attention. His general enterprise found scope in this direction during
the first attempts to connect the northern part of the state with the
great thoroughfares and commercial centers.
Both money, time and influence were always at command. In 1855
he was elected a director of the Rome and Watertown railroad, at the
30 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
earnest desire of such men as Philip Dater, of New York, and later of
the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg railroad. He was complimented
by the capitalists interested, for his substantial improvements in the
management of the road. The sound judgment and integrity seen here,
as in all other financial concerns, received a significant testimonial in
an incident, one among many, gleaned from a private letter addressed
to a personal friend by one for years bitterly prejudiced against Mr.
Hungerford. In this the writer alludes to certain differences of opinion
existing between Mr. Hungerford and himself, and states for. his motive
for voting for the former's re-election, his "fearless" discharge of duty
in a position where so much "knavery and dishonesty" exists. But a
higher object than business enterprise and success was at Mr. Hunger-
ford's heart. Since 1836, when engaged in banking, "the idea of estab-
lishing a first-class educational institution in my native country has
been very much on my mind," says Mr. Hungerford in reply to the
question as to just when his attention was drawn to the greatest achieve-
ment of his life, the founding of Hungerford Collegiate Institute, whose
splendid position among the literary establishments of the land is a
joy to his own heart and an honor to his native state.
An attempt was made about the year 1855 to erect the proper build-
ings and put the plan into operation, but owing to disagreement as to the
site of the prospective edifice, the whole thing fell through for the time
being. But in 1864. a large building, erected for hotel purposes, fell
into Mr. Hungerford's hands; this he offered to donate to a board of
trustees selected from the several neighboring churches, consisting of
twenty-four, provided the citizens would raise an endowment fund of
ten thousand dollars, the interest to be devoted to the payment of insur-
ance, repairs, etc. The ofifer was accepted, a charter secured, and the
institute put in successful operation for three years, when the building
was burned down. Another site being obtained with the insurance
money, avails of the old lot, and contributions to the amount of over
eighty thousand dollars, the present structure was erected.
At the opening of the first institute referred to, the exercises were
of an unusually interesting character. Special trains were run to the
village from neighboring places, General "Joe" Hooker being among
the guests. These were welcomed by Rev. Mr. Hobart, in behalf of
the trustees, and escorted I.)y the Watertown Cornet Band to Jackson
Hall. After music and congratulatory addresses. Dr. Fisher, President
of Hamilton College, delivered the inaugural address.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 31
The school opened with one hundred and sixty students; and the
promise given by its dawn was fulfilled in the years that followed, when
it shed the light of an enlightening and refining influence over the sur-
rounding country. A most interesting account of the dedication of the
new and elegant liuilding erected subsequent to the fire is given by the
press. We quote a few extracts :
"On Wednesday, August 24. was consummated in Adams' the
great public enterprise of the village and town. Its beginning and
progress have been signalized by great liberality, clear foresight, excel=
lent taste and judgment, and untiring energy.
"The old institute building having been burnt some time ago, it
was resolved to build a new one, and part of the means for the purpose
was at hand. A commanding site was selected, a plan drafted with
careful deliberation, and the structure commenced. The design was
purposely for something superior and costly, — something not easy to
excel as an educational institute. It was rightly believed that a way
would be found to complete it when the money in possession should be
exhausted. The work at length had to be stopped. Estimates called for
two thousand five hundred dollars more, and how should it be raised?"
Finally, after efforts in other directions, General Hungerford offered
to double whatever sum might be raised, pledges were soon gained for
fifteen thousand dollars, which, with the founder's generous offer, made
thirty thousand dollars ; this, combined with the amount in the treasury,
gave funds for a one hundred thousand dollar building. The elegant
stone and brick building of to-day, with its admirable conveniences and
great beauty, is the result.
It is heated with steam and lighted by gas. Hot and cold water
can be drawn in each story, and there are bathrooms for both the gen-
tlemen's and ladies' divisions. In the library and main hall, etc., is
beautiful inlaid flooring of white and dark wood alternating.
At the dedication Rev. S. S. H. Greeley was the speaker of the day.
He was followed by citizens and invited guests. General Hungerford,
owing to previous illness, took no part in the exercises, but, after loud
and renewed applause, came out of the ante-room in response to a call
of the audience. He simply bowed and retired.
Mr. Hungerford's military career dates back to the year 1835;
when quite a young man he was commissioned aide-de-camp to the
brigadier-general of the Fifty-fifth Brigade of Infantry. In 1853 he
became captain of infantry in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, and brigadier-
32 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
general of the Eighteenth Brigade of the Fourth Division of New York
State Militia in 1859. In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, General
Hungerford, commanding the Sixteenth Brigade, and also commis-
sioned to inspect volunteer companies, was loyal to his trust and untiring
in his efiforts to co-operate with the government. He won the grateful
recognition of the state and of his fellow citizens at home.
Mr. Hungerford's political career was made by himself — a brief
one, beyond his influence in connection with business and social rela-
tions, and his prompt action when it was needed as a citizen. He was
by nature and education of the conservative school in politics. This
fact, along with his general popularity, was the cause of his nomination
to Congress by the Coalitionists of the Twentieth district in 1866, when
an effort was made to defeat the ruling party by a combination of all
those dissatisfied with its measures. Mr. Hungerford declined the
nomination in a letter which was consistent with his principles, dignified
and loyal, an honor to his head and heart.
But in no position has he been more honored and useful, although
attracting less popular interest, than when president of the Jefferson
County Bible Society, an office he held for many years.
In his domestic relations Mr. Hungerford has been most happy.
He married Miss Ann Huntington, of Watertown, who is still the light
of a home blessed with a son who gives promise of worthily bearing the
ancestral name. Mr. Hungerford has always, liberally and wisely, we
believe, sustained the cause of religion in the community, and freely
aided the church and parish of which he is a member. Neither he nor
his friends claim for him exemption from human frailties and mistakes ;
but his fellow-citizens of the town and county in which his life has been
so far spent, will give him a place among the greatest benefactors of
both.
(VI) ORVILLE HUNGERFORD. One of the most distin-
guished of the earlier settlers in the Black River country, Orville Hun-
gerford's memory is held in honor for his lofty character marked with
all the traits that distinguished the old-time gentleman, his broad intelli-
gence and remarkable judgment, and his highly useful service in com-
mercial life, and in community and state affairs.
Mr. Hungerford was a native of Connecticut, born in Farmington,
October 29, 1790. In 1804, when he was fourteen years of age, he ac-
companied his father to Jefiferson county, New York. His was a life of
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 33
industry and thrifty habits from the beginning. He had none of the
advantages of a Hberal education, having only been privileged to attend
the common schools of his neighborhood. In these, however, and by
private study of such books as he could gain use of, he thoroughly
grounded himself in the elementary branches of knowledge, and at the
same time became so habituated to reading and observation that even as
a young man he was liberally informed, and in mid-life his attainments
would put to confusion many collegiates of the present day. Soon after
his coming to the county he took employment in the store of Jabez Foster,
at Burrville, which in 1808 was removed to Watertown. His duties be-
gan in menial tasks, but all were cheerfully performed, and he gave to
his work such diligent interest and conscientious care that he was ad-
vanced from place to place until, after about seven years' service, and
having attained his majority, he was received into partnership with his
employer, under the firm name of Foster & Hungerford. Their business
developed into the largest in all the region, the war of 1812 bringing to
them a large governmental patronage in furnishing provisions and other
supplies to the troops rendezvousing at Sacketts Harbor. In 1815 Mr.
Hungerford, then twenty-five years of age, engaged in mercantile busi-
ness upon his own account, and he continued in it with much success until
1842.
Mr. Hungerford abandoned mercantile pursuits in order to enter
upon a career of larger usefulness. He was a principal factor in pro-
moting the construction of the railroad from Rome to Cape Vincent, the
most important imdertaking of that day, and the consummation of which
enterprise contributed greatly to the development of the entire region in
agricultural and industrial lines. Mr. Hungerford's success was not at-
tained without great labor, patience and perseverance. At times the
obstacles in his way appeared ^o be insurmountable, but his hopefulness
and courage overbore all weariness and discouragement. He was elected
first president of the railroad company, and held the position until his
death. He was early identified with the Jefferson County Bank, was
for many years a member of its directorate, and for a number of years
previous to his death he was president. It is not too much to say that
this institution, with its long record of honorable and successful man-
agement, owed much to his personality. In this, as in all else in which
he engaged, he was conservative yet enterprising, gifted with a prescience
which was little less than remarkable, and unalterably honest to the last
detail. He possessed the entire confidence of whatever body with which
34 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
he was associated, and it seemed a matter of course that they should
place him in the position of leader and follow to the fullest whatever pol-
icy he might recommend.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Hungerford was, without his seeking it,
conceded a position of leadership in his party, and was elected to con-
gress in 1842, and re-elected in 1844. His conduct in that body was most
praiseworthy. At the first session of his first term he was appointed on
the committees on Revolutionary pensions and on accounts, two of the
most important committees of that day, and his excellent abilities found
recognition in his appointment to the chairmanship of the committee on
ways and means in his second term. In the latter position he displayed
to the best advantage his business sagacity and his courage in maintaining
principles and policies which met the approval of his conscience. Having
introduced into congress, as coming from his committee, what came to
be known as the distinctively protective tariff of 1846, he aroused the
antagonism of his soudiern colleagues in congress. They, desiring to
secure the marketing abroad of the southern cotton product and to import
free of duty the goods into which they were manufactured, were in-
imical to Mr. Hungerford's bill, and used every influence to prevail
upon him to modify its provisions to meet their desires. To this time
they had been able to control the northern congressmen, but Mr. Hunger-
ford was proof against their blandishments, their promises and their
threats. He was even tendered the vice-presidential nomination if he
would recede from his position, and modify his bill to suit southern re-
quirements, but he was resolute, and his measure was enacted almost
exactly as he had reported it. The southern leaders resented his heedless-
ness of their wishes, at first by less courteousness of manner, and later by
withdrawing from him entirely. His modesty and peacefulness of dispo-
sition would not permit him to resent their conduct, but his subsequent
indifference to public honors is, probably, ascribable to his experiences
during this period. It is certain that had he desired it, and exerted him-
self to the purpose, he could have been made either governor or senator.
Mr. Hungerford's characteristics have been epitomized by a former
writer (Mr. John A. Haddock) as combining all those excellencies which
made Silas Wright, William L. Marcy and Thomas H. Benton famous,
and he has been pronounced their equal in suavity, commanding pres-
ence, knowledge of parliamentary law, sympathy for the country's toil-
ers, and regard for the public weal. To descant upon what spirit he
would have displayed, what power he would have wielded, had he lived to
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 35
the civil war period, would offer a fruitful field. Certain it is that his in-
tense patriotism and his knowledge of the character and desires of south-
em politicians would have made him not only a stanch, but aggressive
friend of the Union.
Until his last days Mr. Hungerford exerted his influence for the
best interests of his community and county. His benefactions to insti-
tutions of learning and to organized charities were munificent, and many
such received liberal endowments from his generosity. He took great
mterest in the Jefferson County Agricultural Society and in the Jeffer-
son County Bible Society, and was for several years president of that
last named. He was one of the largest contributors to the building fund
of the First Presbyterian church, whose house of worship was thus made
possible.
Mr. Hungerford died April 6, 185 1, after a brief illness, in his
sixty-first year. The sad event was a public calamity, and meetings of
the citizens of Watertown, of the officials of the Jefferson County Bank,
of the railroad company, and of the various associations in which he had
held membership, were held, to testify to their sorrow in his loss and to
pay tribute to his memory. At the funeral service his pastor said ; "On
account of his influence, and the important trusts which had been con-
fided to his hands, being in the full maturity of his strength, his judg-
ment ripened b}' experience and years, and his natural force unabated,
I know of no one in the community whose death would have been re-
garded as so great a calamity as his. The assembling of this great con-
gregation, as a tribute of respect to his memory, shows how he was esti-
mated. A prince has fallen in the midst of us."
Mr. Hungerford was married, October 13, 1813, to Miss Betsy P.
Stanley, daughter of George and Hannah (Porter) Stanley. She was
born March 27, 1786, at Wethersfield, Connecticut, and died September
17, 1861, having survived her husband a few months more than ten
years. She was a woman of beautiful character and disposition, and an
efficient cclaborer with her revered husband in all his benevolent works.
Six children were given to Orville and Betsy P. (Stanley) Hun-
gerford. Mary S., the eldest, became the wife of Adriel Ely, and died
in Watertown. Marcus died here, leaving four children, of whom two
survive, namely : Helen H., Mrs. George W. Mann, of Nyack, New
York, and Jennie A., wife of Mr. Quesada, of New York city. Martha
B. was the wife of Isaac Covert, of New York city and Port Washing-
ton, New York, and left no issue. Richard E. died in Watertown.
36 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Frances died, unmarried, in V.^aterto.n. where Orville passed his hfe.
Grace is Mrs. George Seiple, of Watertown.
HANNIBAL SMITH, a well known and popular educator and law.
yer of Watertown, now deceased, was descended from some of the best
European blood, and demonstrated in his career the value of good stock
The first ancestor of whom his family have knowledge was an Insh lord
residing in Dublin. He was a Protestant, and became involved m polit-
ical difficulties which caused his removal to America prior to the revolu-
tionarv war. He married in this country and settled in Vermont, where
he and his son Samuel owned a township, on Onion river, near Mont-
^^ '^Samuel Smith and his sister Rhoda were the only children of their
parents He married Sarah Newall, and resided in Vermont. Durmg
the war of 1812 he made a trip to Ohio, intehding to buy a farm there,
but found what seemed an excellent opportunity to realize by carrying
supplies to the American troops at New Orleans. He purchased a river
boat and loaded it, and was never heard of. again after starting down
the Ohio river. It is presumed that he was slain by Indians en route.
These facts were learned by his mother and sister, who made the jour-
ney from Vermont to Ohio in hopes of finding him. They returned to
Vermont, where the widowed mother soon afterward died, her end be-
ing hastened by the mysterious disappearance of her son. Samuel's
window subsequently married a man named Clark. Samuel Smith's chil-
dren were: Savillian, who died in 1887; Hannibal, who became a
preacher and went to Auburn Theological Seminary to perfect himself,
for his work, and was drowned in Owasco river and buried in the ceme-
tery attached to the seminary; Almira, who married a Mr. Perkins;
Julia, who became the wife of a Perkins, brother of Almira's husband;
and Sarah, wife of Jerrid ^latteson, of Clayville, Oneida county. New
York.
Sarah Newall, who became the wife of Samuel Smith, was a daugh-
ter of a merchant of Salem, Massachusetts, and was highly educated.
The name is of English origin, but was early planted in this country.
Mrs. Smith's father served in the battle of Bunker Hill, and during that
engagement a son was born to him in a chamber near the battlefield, so
near that the flash of the guns in the early morning of that engagement
lighted the chamber. Savillian is a family name, and was bestowed upon
its bearer by his paternal grandfather.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 37
Savillian Smith was born November 22, 1807, in Waterford, Ver-
mont, and married Louisa Chappeil, at Vermilion, Oswego county, New
York, about 1S36. At tliat time he was twenty-nine years old, and his
wife nineteen. The latter was born in April, 18 17, at Pompey Hill, New
York. Their children were: Benjamin (died when six months old):
Hannibal, mentioned at length hereinafter; Henry, born 1842, still
living; Josephine, 1845, now living; Maria (died at the age of thirteen
months); Eugene, 1853, died 1897; Gilbert, 1857, died 1898; and
Louisa, died 1SS7. Louisa Chappeil was a daughter of Daniel Chappeil.
Her motlier, who was tiie daughter of a revolutionary soldier, died when
she was fourteen years old. Daniel Chappeil was the son of a revolu-
tionary soldier, and came from Massachusetts on horseback to buy his
farm in Pompey, carrying his money in saddlebags. His ancestors were
English, and his daughter, Mrs. Savillian Smith, is said to have pos-
sessed remarkable powers of divination. She was an earnest student of
the Bible and an entertaining conversationalist.
Hannibal Smith, second son and child of Savillian and Louisa
(Chappeil) SmJth, was born November 29, 1839, in Vermilion, Oswego
county. New York, and was three years old when his parents moved to
Bridgewater, Oneida county. He early manifested a desire for learning
and had excellent opportunity for primary training in the school near
his home, which was a good one. In his seventeenth year he began prep-
aration for college at West Winfield Seminary. When nineteen he was
called from the seminary by the trustees of his home district to take the
place of a teacher who had failed to manage the school successfully, and
concluded the term with satisfaction to all. Nine of the pupils in attend-
ance were older than himself. After further study at Cazenovia Sem-
inary he entered Hamilton College, where his father had purchased for
him a scholarship, in i860. On account of failing health he was com-
pelled to abandon his studies for two years, and finally graduated in 1866
with honors, being awarded the Pruyn medal and the Hawley medal for
excellence in classical culture, and won the Plead prize as an orator. On
this occasion he took for his subject, "Alexander Hamilton, as an Ex-
pounder of the Constitution." He then entered the law department of
the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he studied one year
under the emment faculty of that institution, then including the accom-
plished lawyer .'^nd teacher of law. Judge Cooley. In the spring term of
1863, prior to re-entering Hamilton College, he taught the school at
Ofiskany Falls, and in the autumn of 1867 he was appointed principal of
38
GENEALOGICAL AXD FAMILY HISTORY.
the Little Falls Academy, carrying along his work with great credit to
himself until the close of the school year, when he resigned to complete
his law studies. Again repairing to Hamilton College, he received the
degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1S70, and was at once admitted to the
bar. In February of the same year he was called to be principal of the
Watertown high school and superintendent of the city schools. At the
end of the school year in 1874, he resigned to take up the practice of
law, and formed a partnership with General Bradley Winslow, under
the title of Winslow & Smith. This association was maintained three
years, after which Mr. Smith entered upon a most successful individual
practice, and so continued until he was joined by his son, Edward N.
Smith, in 1892, under the style of Smith & Smith.
Air. Smith was essentially a lawyer of the old school, deeply read
not only in the law, but in the reasons for the law, and he held the
loftiest ideas of the ethics of tlie jircfession, conducting his practice ac-
cording to its moralities, with a sincere contempt for trickery and mere
technicalities. While caring for the interests of a large and important
clientele, he was also interested in various business enterprises, among
which m.ay be mentioned the Taggart & Moffett Land Improvement
Company, the Siouski Paper Company and the Standard Publishing
Company, in each of which he was a director and the treasurer, and in
the hardware firm of Al. Harbottle & Company. He was instrumental
in organizing the first and last of these, and the Daily Standard is to-
day one of his monuments.
A man of great purity of character, and of commanding influence,
Mr. Smith bore a full share in promoting community interests, especially
along educational and religious lines. A communicant of the Presby-
terian church, he adorned its roll of membership by the uprightness of
his life and his loyalty to its support and the furtherance of its benevo-
lent objects. In polities he was a Republican of the Lincoln school, of
the ante-war days, and throughout his life he was an earnest and pecu-
liarly forceful advocate of the principles of his party and wielded a po-
tent influence in its councils in his district and state, sitting in many of
it conventional bodies and frequently appearing upon the hustings. He
was never an aspirant for office, and believed in the principle of the office
seeking the man. He was a warm friend of education, and rendered
excellent service on the city board of education for a period of fifteen
years, from 1874 to 1889, durmg a portion of which time he was presi-
dent of tlie board. W'licn he passed away December 17, 1899. the city
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 39
and state lost a valuable citizen, and his departure was widely mourned.
Mr. Smith was married September 13, 1866, immediately after his
graduation from Hamilton College, to Miss Amelia Marsh, daughter
of Eli and Elizabeth (Chard) Marsh, prominent citizens of Utica. Of
this marriage were born three sons and two daughters. A proper no-
tice of the eldest son, Edward N., forms a part of this work. The sec-
ond, William Hannibal, is managing editor of the Watertown Daily
Standard. The elder daughter, Elizabeth Chard, is a graduate of Vas-
sar College, and is now the wife of Frank A. Gallup, editor of the Daily
Standard. The younger daughter, Amelia Lydia, died nine weeks be-
fore her father. The second son, Eli Marsh Smith, died October 7, 1884,
in his fourteenth year.
Edward N. Smith is the son of Hannibal and Amelia (Marsh)
Smith, and was born at Little Ealls, Herkimer county. New York, No-
vember 30, 1868. In 1870 his father came to Watertown and became
principal of the Watertown high school and superintendent of the pub-
lic schools. Since that time he has lived continuously in the city of Wa-
tertown. He attended the common schools of the city and was gradu-
ated from the Watertown high school in 1886, entered Hamilton Col-
lege in the fall of that year and was graduated from that institution in
the year 1890. He then commenced the study of law in his father's
oirice and remained there one year, and then entered the Buffalo Law
School, from which institution he was graduated on May 30, 1892. He
was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in June, 1893, and then returned to
Watertown and formed a copartnership with his father, under the style
of Smith & Smith, and this continued until the death of his father in
1899. In 1900 he formed a copartnership with George W. Reeves un-
der the firm name and style of Smith & Reeves, with offices on Washing-
ton street, Watertown, New York, which firm continues at the time of
this publication.
Mr. Smith is identified with business interests in the city. He is treas-
urer of the Standard Publishing Company, publishers of the Watertown
Daily and Semi-Weekly Standard; a member of the firm of E. N. Smith
& Company, dealers in books and stationery ; secretary and treasurer of
the Taggart & Moffett Land Improvement Company ; one of the direct-
ors of the Watertown Carriage Company, and treasurer of the Water-
town Chamber of Commerce. In 1898 he was appointed by the comp-
troller of the United States receiver of the First National Bank of Car-
thage, and so administered the affairs of that trust that there was paid
40 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
to the creditors a dividend of ninety-nine and one-half per cent.
Mr. Smith has been actively interested in politics and public affairs.
In 1893-4 he was secretary of the Republican county committee and was
chairman of the same during the years 1895-6. He was city attorney
of Watertown for the years 1895 and 1896.
He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, a member of the
board of managers of the City Hospital, a member of the Union Club,
Lincoln League, Corona Lodge No. 705, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, Watertown Lodge No. 49 of Masonic fraternity, and Crotona
Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
In January, 1894, Mr. Smith married Alice L. Powers, daughter
of Isaac P. Powers, and they have one child, named Powers C. Smith.
William Hannibal Smith was born July 26, 1877, in W'atertown,
and graduated from the city high school in 1S94, and from Hamilton
College in 1899. After reading law a short time in his father's office
he began reporting for the Daily Standard, and has been actively con-
nected with that journal since. He was a reporter a little less than two
years, when he became managing editor, and has since so continued.
He IS a member of two college fraternities, Psi Upsilon and Phi Beta
Kappa, and of Watertown Lodge No. 49, Free and Accepted Masons.
He attends the First Presbyterian church, and is a steadfast Republican
in political principle.
Mr. Smith was married, October 8, 1903, to ]Miss Sarah Marie Coyle,
a native of Watertown, daughter of William and Sarah Coyle, of Water-
town.
THE SHERMAN FAMILY. The Shermans are of German
origin. In the fatherland the name Schurman often occurs, and was
transferred many centuries ago to the vicinity of London. From this
stock a scion was transplanted to Dedham, Essex county, England. In
New England are found two distinct families, bearing the name of Sher-
man, One family descends from William Sherman, who came from
England to Plymouth with the Puritan Fathers about 1630, and settled
in ?klarshfield, Massachusetts, where his descendants still reside. The
other family is the Dedham stock, which settled in the vicinity of Boston,
Massachusetts, from which the Watertown Shermans are descended.
(I) The first one of Vvhoni v.e have any knowledge was Henry
Sherman, of Dedham, Essex county, England, who died in 1589. His
wife's name was Agnes, and she died in 1580. They left five children.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 41
(II) Henry, eldest son of Henry and Agnes Sherman, married
Susan Hills, in Dedham, England, by whom he had eight sons and two
daughters, and he died in 1610.
(III) Edmond Sherman, the fourth child of Henry and Susan
Sherman, was born June 23, 1595, in Dedham, England, and was twice
married. His first wife's name was Joan ; later he married Judith An-
giers. They came to America about 1634, and settled in Watertown,
Massachusetts. Thence they removed to Wethersfield, Connecticut, and
finally to New Haven, Connecticut, where they died, the husband in
1641, leaving five sons and three daughters.
(IV) Rev. John Sherman, the seventh child of Edmond Sherman,
was born m Dedham, England, in 1620, and came to America with his
parents in 1634, remained a short time in Watertown, Massachusetts,
and then went to Wethersfield, Connecticut. He returned to Watertown,.
Massachusetts, and was made pastor of the church, November 8, 1647,
and remained there and preached until his death, August 8, 1685. He
was one of the learned men of his day, and was an eloquent preacher.
He was distinguished as a mathematician and lecturer at Harvard Col-
lege, and published several almanacs. He was twice married. By his
first wife, Abigail, he had six children. He married, second, Mary Lan-
nor, a granddaughter of Thomas Davy, Earl of Rivers, by whom he had
twenty children.
(V) Rev. James Sherman, the third son of Rev. John Sherman
and his first wife, was born at Milford. Connecticut, 1645. He was pas-
tor of the congregational church at Sudbury, Massachusetts, from 1677
to 1705. He removed to Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1706, thence to Sa-
lem, Massachusetts, in 1708, and lived there until his death, March 3,
1718. He married Mary Walker, May 13, 1680.
(VI) Captain John Sherman, born in Sudbury, Massachu-
setts, November 20, 1683, was a teacher and subsequently a physician
in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was a prominent man in the church
and town. One of his descendants, Elijah Sherman, lived on the
old homestead, and died there, October, 1886. Captain John Sherman
was married to Abigail Wood Stone, November 9, 1703, and they had
eight children. He died November 28, 1774, and his wife March 9,
1772.
(VII) Phineas Sherman, the fifth child of Captain John and Abi-
gail Sherman, was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, November 10, 1719.
He married, December 12, 1738, Elizabeth Morgan, by whom he had
42 GENEALOGICAL AXD FAMILY HISTORY.
several children, and he died October i, i/QO- Hi? wife died August 2,
^^"(VIII) Lemuel Sherman, the sixth child of Phineas and Elizabeth
Sherman, was born September 14, I750, at Brimfield, Massachusetts.
On June 18, 1773, he married Rose Blashfield, by whom he had seven
children, and died September 25, 1789.
(IX) Phineas Sherman, the eldest son of Lemuel and Rose Sher-
man, was born at Brimfield, Massachusetts. He married Emma Thorn-
ton, 'in Johnston, Rhode Island, December 24, 1797. She was born Au-
gust 22, 1774, and died in Watertown, New York, at the home of her
son, George C. Sherman, March 15, 1847. They had six children.
Phineas Sherman removed soon after his marriage, in 1797, to Provi-
dence, Rhode Island, where he was a merchant. He then removed to
Norway, Herkimer county, New York, thence to Newport, New York,
and in 1810 to Watertown, where he established and owned a paper mill
upon the site now occupied by the paper mill of the Kno\ylton Brothers.
He died of fever, March 22, 1813, aged forty years.
(X) George Corlis Sherman, second son of Phineas and Amy
Sherman, was bom December 14, 1799, at Providence, Rhode Island,
and was a youth of but sixteen years when in 18 15 he came to Water-
town and sought in this place the opportunity of earning a living. His
financial resources were extremely limited, but he possessed strong pur-
pose, determination and laudable ambition. After filling several tem-
porary positions he secured employment in the office of David W. Buck-
lin, a well known attorney practicing at the Jefferson county bar, who
recognized his capability and his desire for advancement and permitted
him to become a law student in the office. He applied himself diligently
to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence, and soon after his
admission to the bar in 1823 was admitted to a partnership by his former
preceptor, Mr. Bucklin, this relationship continuing until the removal
from the county of the senior member of the firm. In 1833 Mr. Sher-
man was appointed district attorney, and occupied the ofiice continu-
ously until 1840. In the meantime his private practice grew steadily
both in volume and importance. There is no calling in which success
and advancement depend more largely upon individual merit, and Mr.
Sherman's legal lore and his devotion to the interests of his clients won
him distinction at a bar which numbered lawyers prominent in the ju-
dicial annals of the state. In 1843 he was appointed one of the judges
of the old court of common pleas and served upon the bench until 1847,
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. i3
when the office was discontinued through legislative enactment. In the
same year of his elevation to the bench he was elected to the state senate
and served out his full term, but declined again to accept the nomina-
tion. For some time he was associated in practice with his brother-in-
law, the Hon. Robert Lansing, forming one of the strongest legal com-
binations at that day, while their business far exceeded in extent any
law firm in this part of the state.
It was while Mr. Sherman was a member of this firm that the great
banking house of Prime, Ward & King, of New York city, failed, en-
tailing a heavy loss upon the Jefferson County Bank, of which Mr. Sher-
man was a director, and of which he had long been counsel. There was
then a law upon the statutory books known as the Stillwell act, by which
any judgment creditor could bring an insolvent into open court and com-
pel him under oath to tell all about his property, financial condition, etc.
Under this strange law one of this firm of bankers was brought before
a New York city judge, and Mr. Sherman was there to examine him.
This was, perhaps, the first time he had had a chance to measure his
powers with that of the lawyers practicing in the highest court of the
state, but here, as elsewhere, he displayed his great legal ability and
astonished the city lawyers by his knowledge of the law and his ability
in applying it to the points in litigation. The fallen financier was only
too glad to escape from Mr. Sherman's merciless questions by a partial
restitution to the bank. He continued in active practice until about
1848. In the meantime the development of his financial and invested
interests was continually making heavier demands upon his time, and in
the year mentioned he resolved to devote his entire attention to his prop-
erty and banking affairs. He was one of the early purchasers of land in
this portion of the state, buying a large tract in the northwestern part of
the county for three dollars per acre. This he afterward sold in small
divisions for eight dollars per acre. He did not deal very extensively in
village property, but at one time owned nearly all of Beebee's Island,
and he also built the family residence on Clinton street and the large
bank building in Watertown. It was in 1838 that he beeame an active
factor in financial interests here through the organization of the Water-
town Bank & Loan Company. He was active in his management of the
institution up to 1848, and after his retirement from the bar he gave
his entire attention to his financial affairs, remaining at the head of the
bank until his death on the 23d of April, 1863. His intense and well
44 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
directed activity had in the meantime brought to him a handsome for-
tune, which was equahy divided among his wife and five children.
On the 3d of January, 1828, he had married Miss Mary Ann Hub-
bard, the third daughter of Noadiah Hubbard, who was one of the pion-
' eer settlers of the Black River district of Nev/ York and made his home
in Champion. Their children were : Frances A., Mary H., George H.,
Robert L., Charles A. and Sarah M. In Haddock's "Growth of a Cen-
tury" the following summary of the life and character of ^Ir. Sherman
is o-iven, written by one who in early manhood had been a student in his
office:
"Mr. Sherman was a unique character. He was quite a lovable
man, full of wit and humor, and running over with anecdote and rela-
tion of personal experiences. All his students loved, admired and revered
him. He was eminently democratic; easily approached by the humble,
and only laughed at aristocratic pretension in another. He was of a pecu-
liarly affectionate disposition ; his heart was always easily reached, a tear
never far away when his sympathetic mind grasped any tale of sorrow,
and his thoughts traveled quickly toward some scheme of relief. Though
a man of wealth, and in daily contact with the highest and best of his
contemporaries, he never forgot his humble birth, and the writer has
seen the quick tear of sympathy come into the eyes as he told of his
early struggles, his earnest efforts and of his triumphs as well. He was
undoubtedly the ablest lawyer of his time. He had no superior in the
examination of a witness. It was said that, under his rigid cross-exam-
ination, no one could avoid telling the truth. His perceptions were quick
and keen. He seemed to have an intuitive knowledge of the inner nature
of men, and of their motives and habit of thought. He was not, in later
years, so close a student among his books, for he depended largely upon
his able partner, Mr. Lansing, for the preparation of cases, but when he
came before a jury he was almost irresistible. He was then full of
energy, exhibiting an exuberant flow of spirits that took quick posses-
sion of the court and the jury, and he could make them laugh or cry as
became his present mood. He had a power of mimicry the writer has
never seen equaled off the stage.
"Takmg him all in all— viewed in the light of his early struggles,
his judicious use of every favoring gale of fortune, the solidity of his
foundation in the law, the nobility and wonderful activity of his mind,
tlie versatility of his unusual capacity, the power of his imagination and
vet his readiness to handle material things, he appears to me now as a
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 45
wonderful man, one whom society could ill spare. He possessed nearly
every human excellence, and the writer drops a sincere tear of regret upon
the tomb of one whose kindness to a poor boy in his office is recalled often
and lovingly. He was a man fit to stand before kings. He was well
appreciated, as he should have been. To one who knew him well, this
tribute to his memory sounds much below what it deserves."
(XI) Charles Augustus Sherman, son of Judge George C. Sher-
man, was bom in Watertown in 1838, and after mastering the prelim-
inary branches of learning in the public schools he was afforded the
privilege of attending college, and in the mastery of difficult problems,
of the classics, of philosophy and law he displayed marked facility. He
began his preparation for the bar under the direction of his father, and
later became a law student in Albany, where he was afterward admitted
to practice. Subsequently he became a partner of John Lansing, whO'
was a son of his father's partner. The strong intellectual powers of Mr.
Sherman enabled him to readily grasp and master the intricate problems
of the law. H's reasoning was cogent, his deductions logical and his
presentation of a case was forcible, so that he never failed to make a
strong impression upon the court or jury and seldom failed to gain the
verdict desired. In his legal practice he was particularly successful in
prosecuting the claims of those who were sufferers from losses upon the
river resulting from the great flood of 1869. He had, moreover, a com-
prehensive knowledge of all departments of the law, and court and jury
listened to him with attention. He had the characteristics of an ideal
follower of his calling, one who seeks to aid the court in obtaining jus-
tice rather than to win a suit through the employment of any methods
that receive the condemnation of the most capable and conscientious
members of the bar. His attention in business was not confined wholly
to the law, for he made investments in industrial and financial interests.
For thirteen years, up to the time of his death, he was the president of the
Watertown Steam Engine Company and acted as one of its directors
from its organization. He was also a trustee of the Jefferson County
Savings Bank, and a principal owner and director of the National Bank
& Loan Company.
Community interests received his earnest attention, and many move-
ments and measures for the general good profited by his hearty co-opera-
tion and substantial assistance. He held many positions of public trust
and responsibility in Watertown, and from his youth up was regarded
as a worthy citizen of this place. He was particularly well known be-
46 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
cause of his activity in church work, and in this his mother and wife
were his devoted co-lahorers. He held membership in Trinity church,
and with untiring zeal aided in the promotion of its various activities
that were instituted for the extension of its influence and for its substan-
tial growth. At the time of his death, which occurred in Watertown,
April 25, 1SS2. when he was about forty-two years of age, resolutions
of respect were passed by various organizations with which he was con-
nected, including the directors of the Jefferson County Savings Bank,
and the trustees of the ^^'■atertown Steam Engine Company. In one of
the church papers appeared the following:
" By the death of Charles A. Sherman, Esq., of Watertown, our
diocese loses a loyal, devoted and active friend and promoter of its best
interests. He has for many years taken an active and prominent part
in the proceedings of the convention, of the board of missions and of the
standing committee, being always ready to serve the church at the cost
of time and trouble, manifesting in these public relations the strong con-
victions and warm feelings belonging to his nature, Init without bitter-
ness or animosity in debate. His large family and many friends were
only in part prepared for his departure by a lingering disease."
j\Ir. Sherman was married, in 1861, to Miss Caroline Philippa Nor-
ton, a daughter of Nathaniel and Caroline Norton, of Charlestown,
Massachusetts. She is a lady of unusual refinement and of superior edu-
cation, completing her studies by graduation in the Packer Collegiate
Institute. To Mr. and Mrs. Sherman were born six children : George
C. ; Caroline G., the wife of Henry Whittemore, of New York ; Erancis
A.; Charles N., who is further mentioned in later paragraphs; Nathan-
iel N., deceased; and Margaret A. The close companionship which
arises from congeniality of taste and temperament made the marriage of
Mr. and Mrs. Sherman largely an ideal one, and he found in her sym-
pathy and encouragement the inspiration which often made his labors
extremely effective in both business and church life and in citizenship.
(XII) George C. Sherman, the eldest son of Charles A. and Caro-
line (Norton) Sherman, was born July 25, 1862, and acquired his edu-
cation in the public schools of Watertown. He entered upon his busi-
ness career in the employ of the Watertown Steam Engine Company,
of which his father was a director. From time to time he was advanced
until he became assistant treasurer of the company. He also extended
his operations to other fields of industrial acti\'ity. and in 1887 he was
maile secretary antl treasurer of the Taggart Paper Company, a position
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. i7
which he has since occupied, covering a period of seventeen years. He
was also one of the organizers of the St. Regis Paper Company, and is
its secretary and treasurer. In financial circles he has figured prom-
inently, not alone because of his invested interests, but because of his
keen discernment in matters of management and his progressive ideas
as conrrolling factor in the institutions of which he is a representative.
He has been the president of the National Bank & Loan Company of
Watertown since 1897, and is a trustee of the Jefferson County Savings
Bank.
Deeply interested in the welfare of his native city and desirous of
its progress along substantial lines of improvement, he has labored
eftectively and untiringly for good government in municipal affairs and
he has contributed generously to the support of many causes, which have
for their object the public welfare. He holds membership with the Trin-
ity Episcopal church, and is a popular club man, belonging to the Jeffer-
son County Golf Club, to the New York Athletic Club, to the Hanover
Club of Brooklyn, and the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained
the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree
of the Scottish Rite.
Mr. Sherman was married, November 17, 1886, to Miss Alice Lee
Taggart, a daughter of William W. Taggart, and they have two chil-
dren : Katharine Lee and Caroline Norton.
(XH) Charles N. Sherman, the fourth child and third son of
Charles A. and Caroline (Norton) Sherman, was born in Watertown,
June 18, 1871, and following a course in the public schools he attended a
military academy, and v/as graduated from the high school of Water-
town with the class of 1888. His early business efforts were put forth
in behalf of the Taggart Brothers Company, and Taggarts' Paper Com-
pany, which he represented for seven years, acting a part of the time as
assistant to his brother, George C. Sherman, and during the remainder
of that period as a traveling representative of the house. He became
familiar with the paper trade in its various departments, and thus well
qualified by experience and judgment, he opened a store in 1894, in
which he handled paper and pulp mill supplies. Success attended thai
enterprise, which he conducted for some time and then sold. On the
incorporation of the Brownville Iron Works, in 1897, he was elected
secretary and treasurer, a position which he still holds, and thus became
identified with another department of industrial activity in Jefferson
county. He is also treasurer of the Carthage Machine Company, vice-
48 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
president of the West End Paper Company, and a director of the Na-
tional Bank & Loan Company. He has excellent ability as an organ-
izer and a genius for detail work, and has already proved the value of his
efforts and keen discernment in the management of large interests.
Mr. Sherman was united in marriage to Miss Grace A. Stebbins, a
daughter of J. R. Stebbins, president of the x\gricultural Insurance Com-
pany of Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman are the parents of one child,
Adelaide. In social circles they are vv'ell known, and Mr. Sherman holds
membership in the Union Club of Watertown and in the New York Ath-
letic Club. He is also chairman of the house committee of the City Hos-
pital of Watertown, contributes liberally to its support, and is a generous
advocate and co-operant factor in many important public enterprises.
THE FAIRBANKS FAMILY. In the development of the mate-
rial prosperity of Watertown in its early days, no man was more promi-
nent than Jason Fairbanks. He sprang from a sturdy, long-lived and
illustrious stock.
Jonathan Fairbanks, the founder of the American branch of the
family, emigrated from Sowerby, in the West Riding of Yorkshire,
England, and settled in Boston in 1633. After residing there three
years he moved to Dedham, and built the famous "Fairbanks House,"
the oldest house in New England, and possibly in the United States,
which has been continuously occupied by lineal descendants of the family.
Before leaving England Jonathan married Grace Lee, and of the three
children born to him prior to his emigration, the oldest, (II) John, in-
herited by will the Dedham mansion. In 1638 he was appointed, with
John Rogers, to survey the Charles river. John married Sarah Fisk in
1641. From this union there were born nine children, the seventh of
whom, known later in life as (III) Deacon Joseph, born in 1656, in-
herited part of the Fairbanks realty. He married, in 1683, Dorcas
. But two children were born of this union, the youngest son,
(IV) Joseph, Jr., born in 1687, keeping up the line of descent. He
married Abigail Doane, and was the father of eight children. (V)
Samuel, the sixth of these, born in 1728, married Mary Draper. He
was a revolutionary soldier. The sixth child of this marriage was a
man of more than ordinary parts. He was named for his father, Sam-
uel, Jr. (VI) He served with distinction in the wars. His name ap-
pears on the Lexington Alarm rolls as a private ; on the Coat rolls as a
corporal. Later he obtained the rank of sergeant, and at the battle of
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 49
Bunker Hill was captain. He was also captain of a company called out
for the suppression of Shay's rebellion. Soon after the war of the Revo-
lution he moved to Mendon, Massachusetts, and died there in 1826.
Captain Samuel Fairbanks was thrice married. His first wife was Rachel
Lovett, and the fifth of their six children was Jason Fairbanks.
(VII) Born at Mendon, September 5, 1785, Jason Fairbanks, at
the age of thirteen, turned his back on the paternal home. He went to
Boston, where he served for a year as the boy of all work in a hotel. He
then apprenticed himself to Jam.es Bragg, a saddler and harness maker
of Connecticut, and with him, in 1802, moved to Newport, New York.
At the close of his apprenticeship his employer sent him into "the Gen-
esee country" to make some collections. After his return he visited the
north country and made partial arrangements to settle at Ogdensburg.
These falling through, he formed a co-partnership with Calvin Mc-
Knight, and in 1808 opened a saddlery and harness business in the then
village of Watertown, New York. This co-partnership was soon dis-
solved, and another, also soon dissolved, was formed with John Smith,
a practical workman from Connecticut, and tanning and shoe-making
were added to the business. For the next forty or more years Jason
Fairbanks was one of the most untiring business men of northern New
York. He dealt in every species of merchandise in which there was
even a seeming profit — pork, beef, butter, corn, salt — his transactions
covering the northern and western counties of New York and the prov-
inces of Canada. In addition he conducted a general store of dry goods,
groceries and provisions, a carriage factory and an oil mill. In addition
to his active business pursuits, Mr. Fairbanks was deputy marshall un-
der Livingstone for twenty-four years; sheriff of the county from 1821
to 1838. During the Patriot war he was keeper of the arsenal, and when
the building was raided by the Patriots, and a quantity of state arms
taken, under date of February, 1838, he offered a reward of two hun-
dred and fifty dollars for the arresi of the offenders. His connection
with what is known as the "Whittlesy affair," is too well known to need
more than passing mention. In 1815 he, with Perley Keyes, became
surety for Samuel Whittlesy, a brigade paymaster of militia. Whit-
tlesy was a lawyer of fine ability, a member of the Congregational church,
and a near neighbor of Mr. Fairbanks. He went to New York and
received from the Merchants' Bank in that city $35,000 in one, two,
three, five and ten dollar bills. At the instigation of his wife he appro-
priated to his own use the funds, pretending he had been robbed while
50 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
at Trenton, New York. His sureties, satisfied that Whittlesy was the
thief, enticed him to an unfrequented pond, and after repeated duckings
he confessed, and the money was recovered.
Mr. Fairbanks died January lo, 1875, in his ninetieth year. No
resident of Watertown was more truly honored than he. Of the more
than five hundred apprentices that served under him, not one ever turned
out a bad man, while many achieved illustrious careers. He was a man
unique in his personality, holding in contempt all shams and sensations,
refusing even in his old age to wear an overcoat or carry a cane, regard-
ing them as marks of effeminacy. He was secretive only in his chari-
ties, but frank and outspoken in all else, self-reliant in all his affairs,
quick to come to conclusions, and equally swift in carrying them out.
Conscious of his own rectitude, he cared nothing for public opinion.
His humor was peculiar and inexhaustible, and hundreds of amusing in-
cidents are related regarding him.
In 181 5 Mr. Fairbanks married Mary Massey, the eldest child of
Hart Massey, one of the first settlers of Watertown. She was born in
Plymouth, Vermont, in 1796, coming to Watertown five years later.
She possessed a loving and charming personality, and her long life of
eighty-seven years was replete with good deeds. She was the mother
of four sons, each one of far more than ordinary ability. (VHI) Samuel,
the oldest, was born m Watertown in 1818. He graduated from Union
College, Schenectady, in 1838, and from the latter date until 1852 was
engaged in business in Watertown. In 1852 he went to Florida, taking
up his residence at Jacksonville, where he developed an immense lum-
ber business. At the breaking out of the Civil war he removed to Rich-
mond, Virginia, and for four years held a commission as quartermaster
in the Confederate service. At the close of the war, his mills having
been burned, he returned to Florida and engaged in mercantile pursuits,
which he abandoned in 1874. He was agent of the Bureau of Immigra-
tion at the time of his death, which occurred suddenly while on a visit
to his mother, in the place of his birth, September 25, 1881. He mar-
ried, in Watertown, in 1842, the second daughter of William Smith, and
was the father of a son and two daughters. Notwithstanding his busi-
ness career, he was essentially a man of literary tastes, and a forcible
writer on literary and political subjects, and was a frequent correspond-
ent for the press.
(VIII) George Rainsford Fairbanks, the second son, was born in
Watertown, in 1820. He also graduated from Union College, in 1839.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 51
He studied law with the Hon. Joseph MulHn, and in 1842, having been
appointed clerk of the United States circuit of the Northern District of
Florida, he took up his abode in that state, where he at once took a lead-
ing part in public afYairs. In 1846 he was elected state senator, and dur-
ing the Rebellion was a major in the Confederate army. At the close of
the war he moved to Sewanee, Tennessee, where he was professor of his-
tory in the University of the South, and one of the original members of
the board of trustees. In 1880 he returned to Florida, locating at Fer-
nandina, where he now resides and is editor of the Florida Weekly Mir-
ror. He is an active member of the Episcopal church, representing it in
all its conventions for more than half a century. In 1858 he published
the "History and Antiquities of St. Augustine, Florida," and in 1871 a
"History of Florida from Its Discovery by Ponce de Leon in 15 12 to
the Close of the Florida War in 1842." The work is a valuable contri-
bution to the historic literature of America. Major Fairbanks has been
twice married. His first wife was Sarah C, daughter of Benjamin and
Sarah Wright, of Adams, New York, by whom he had six children.
Mrs. Fairbanks died at St. Augustine in 1858. In i860 he married Mrs.
Susan, widow of Rev. Benjamin Wright, and daughter of John Beard,
United States marshal of Florida, and for many years comptroller of
the state.
(VIII) The third son, Andrew Jackson Fairbanks, was born in
Watertovvn, in 1826. In 1844 he graduated from the French College de
Montreal (Sulpician), receiving the first three prizes delivered by the
governor general of Canada, Sir Charles Metcalf, K. C. B. He en-
gaged in business in Watertown and vicinity until 1851, when he went
to Jacksonville, Florida, where he entered the employ of a large lumber
company on the St. John river. Two years later he returned to Water-
town, but from 1856 to 1862 he made his home in Florida. At the
capture of Jacksonville by the forces of the United States, he once more
returned to his boyhood's home, where he resided until his death, June
19, 1898. Mr. Fairbanks was a man of rare intelligence, well read in
literature, and profoundly interested in everything pertaining to the lo-
cal history of his native city, his numerous works being filled with in-
valuable data, much of which he contributed to the local histories. He
married, in 1853, Mary Matilda, the eldest daughter of Nathaniel and
Harriet (Hunt) Wiley. Nathaniel Wiley was born in Nashua, New
Hampshire, July 19, 1796. He went to Boston, where he learned the
machinist's trade. In 181 5 he moved to Watertown, New York, where
52 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
he built the first machine shop. He was a man noted for his skill and
ingenuity in the invention of mechanical appliances. He married Har-
riet Hunt, born in western Oneida county, New York, in 1804.
From the union of Andrew J. and Mary (Wiley) Fairbanks three
children were born. The eldest, Harriet Bates, a resident of Water-
town, is an acti\'e member of the Le Ray de Chaumont Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, and has inherited in a rare de-
gree the historic and literary tastes of her father and uncles. A second
daughter, Abbie Crosby, married Charles H. Remington, one of the
leadmg paper manufacturers of northern New York. Seven children
have blessed this union. The youngest of the children of Andrew J.,
named George Andrew, was born January 4, 1869, married Ida May
Heintzelman in 1894. They have two sons: Andrew Jason and Karl
Joseph. George A. is a civil engineer, and was assistant engineer New
York state department under E. A. Bond.
(Vni; The fourth son of Jason Fairbanks, Jason M., was born
at Watertown, in 1829. He graduated at Geneva (now Hobart) College
in 1 85 1, and although admitted to practice as attorney and counsellor
in the supreme court of New York, devoted his life to civil engineering
and surveying. He retraced the western boundary of Arkansas from
Fort Smith to Red river, ran the ninety-eighth meridian from the latter
river to the Canadian river, and the parallel forming the north boundary
of Oklahoma. He also ran the line between the Seminole and Creek
Nations in the new country to which these tribes were transported, where
he was in constant peril from wandering Comanches. He was assistant
engineer in the public works of the state of New York under State En-
gineer W. J. McAlpine. He never married, and died at Watertown in
1894.
ANDREW BION CARTER, president of the National Exchange
Bank of Carthage, is a native of the county of Jefferson, and an offshoot
of old New England stock. He was born June 23, 1857, near Great
Bend, in the town of Champion, a son of Asa T. and Amanda (Cross)
Carter.
( I ) The first of this family of whom record has been found was
Jacob Carter, who moved from Southold, Long Island, to Branford,
Connecticut. He was married December 4. 1712, to Dorcas Tyler,
who died in 1735-6. Their children were: Sarah, born February 4,
1 714; Jacob, November 26. 1716: Abel, June 4, 1718.
National Exchange Bank. Carthage, N. Y.
Residence of A. Bion Carter. Carthage. N. Y.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 55
(II) Jacob Carter married Mary, daughter of Stephen Barnes,
and settled in the south part of Sotithington, Connecticut, where he
died July 6, 1796. His wife died October 23, 1788, aged sixty-two
years. They had eight children, namely: Jacob, born May r, 1745;
Sarah, September 16, 1747; Stephen, July 11, 1749; Jonathan, May
20, 1751; Ithiel, August i, 1753; Isaac, May 12, 1757; Levi, Septem-
ber 23, 1762; Elihu, baptized March 18, 1759. All settled in Wolcott
(which adjoins Southington), except the youngest, who remained in
Southingion.
(III) Jonathan Carter, son of Jacob (2) and Mary (Barnes)
Carter, married, January 10, 1776, Abigail Moulthrop, and resided in
Wolcott until 1803, when he moved to Champion, this county. His
children were: Joel, born December 5, 1778; Ira, May 4, 1781 ; Asa,
baptized July 4, 1784; and Eli, born October 5, 1786. The youngest
died in 1805. The first two migrated to the West, and record of them
is lost.
(IV) Deacon Asa Carter, born November 13, 1776, son of
Jonathan (3) and Abigail Carter, was nineteen years of age when he
came with his parents to Jefiferson county. He was a successful farmer,
and his farm was among those to receive one of the premiums donated
by Leray to the Agricultural Society. Like his father before him, he
was a deacon of the Presbyterian church. He married Roxana Root,
who was born July 25, 1784, and died November 27, 1863. He died
August 16, 1855. Of their children, four sons and four daughters
grew to maturity. Abigail, the first, born December 13, 1798, married
Samuel Hubbard, September 29, 181 6, and lived and died in Champion.
Huldah, the second, died unmarried at the age of twenty-five years.
Asa B. is mentioned at length below. Tracy R., born September 6,
1808, died February 3, 1846, in Champion. Lucina, born November 22,
1812, became the wife of Alphor.so Loomis, and died August 7, 1890,
at her home near Pleasant Lake. Mary Roxana, July 7, 1815, married
George Griswold, March 21, 1838, and passed her last days at Mile,
Bureau county, Illinois. William Dennis, born April 8, 1818, was
many years a tanner in Oneida county, and died at Utica alx)ut 1898.
Newell W., November 9, 1822, was largely interested in tanning in
this section, and now resides in Binghamton, New York.
(V) Asa Barnes Carter was born in Champion February 7, 1806,
and died of pneumonia, November 12, 1864, in the same town. He
was married February 12, 1828, to Sheloma Thompson, daughter of
56 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
James Thompson, a farmer of Champion, and his wife, Abigail Rob-
inson. Mr. Carter was a prominent farmer of the town and active in
public affairs. He was an elder and acted as deacon of the Presby-
terian church, and usually led the choir in devotional sen-ices. Of
genial and lovable nature, he was universally respected, and his judg-
ment was a guide to many. He was active in promoting the interests
of the Agricultural Society and its fairs. A friend of order and liberty.
he was attached to the Whig party in its day, and joined the Repub-
lican party upon its organization. He was an earnest temperance
worker. His wife died October 24, 1899. Their children were:
Asa T., mentioned further below; Chester and Lester (twins), born
May II, 1833; Frederick C, December 2, 1839; Arthur Lee, May 13,
1849, died September 9, 1870, in Champion. Chester is a prominent
business man of Hannibal, Missouri, and a deacon of the Presbyterian
church. Lester and Frederick C. are residents of Champion, the last
named residing upon the parental homestead. He was three years a
soldier in the Civil war. The former is a deacon of the Congregational
church.
(VI) Asa Thompson Carter, son of Asa B. (5) and Sheloma
Carter, was born October 23, 1828, in the town of Champion, where
he passed all his life except the last two years, dying in Watertown,
March 18, 1893. He was a very active business man as well as a
farmer. When the Carthage & Watertown railroad was being built
he constructed a portion of the line, between Great Bend and Carthage,
and was the first station agent at Great Bend, holding that position
nine years. He was several years the local representative of the King
Iron Bridge Company, and built many of the iron bridges in this section
of the state. With his wife, he affiliated with the Disciples' church, and
was an active Republican. For twenty years he served as justice of the
peace, and held most of the town offices, and was deputy sheriff over
twenty years.
He was married January i, 1850, to Amanda Cross, who was horn
February 24, 1833. m Antwerp. Jude Cross, father of Amanda, came
from Berkshire, Massachusetts, and settled in Antwerp, this county,
early in the nineteenth century. He had little early educational training,
but became a well-informed and useful citizen. In the early days he
taught school in the town of Rutland, and was a surveyor and justice
of the peace in Antwerp. He died at Great Bend July 14, 1865, aged
seventy-one years. His wife. So])hia Fairbanks, was a daughter of
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 57
Silas Fairbanks, and descendant of Jonathan Fairbanks, who settled at
Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1632, and there buih a house which is still
standing. A. T. Carter and wife were the parents of three children.
Imogene M., A. Bion and Cora A. The eldest is the wife of Zuriel
Sarvay, and resides in Carthage, and the youngest is Mrs. Fred A. Hall,
of Elmira, New York.
(VII) A. Bion Carter attended the district and select schools of
his native locality, and Ives Seminary at Antwerp. From the age of
sixteen years he was wont to assist his father in the duties of station
agent, and he became a skilled telegraph operator. On attaining his
majority he entered the land office of LeRay at Carthage, with L. J.
Goodale, who was then manager; as clerk and bookkeeper. After spend-
ing two years as bookkeeper at the Otter Lake tannery, owned suc-
cessively by H. J. & G. M. Botchford and Hersey & Co., he was for a
like period in charge of the offices of the Moose River tannery.
Mr. Carter became a resident of Carthage in 1884, when he pur-
chased an interest in the drug business of Lewis F. Bachman, and this
connection continued four years. Upon disposing of his interest in
the store he went on the road and traveled two years in the interest of
a Utica wholesale house which handled groceries, feed and millstuffs,
and was successful in this line. For the succeeding four years he was
with the firm of L. Crawford & Company, engaged in the manufacture
of hemlock bark extract, at Chase's Lake, Lewis county, this state. On
the organization of the United States Leather Company, May i, 1893,
Mr. Carter became manager of its tannery at Fine, St. Lawrence
county, and so continued until the tanning business was closed on
account of the scarcity of bark and other commercial conditions.
In December, 1901, the National Exchange Bank of Carthage,
was organized, largely through the efforts of Mr. Carter, and it was
opened for business January 21, 1902, with A. Bion Carter as president
and Charles J. Reeder as cashier. With the natural Yankee instinct for
business, Mr. Carter had established a reputation, and the bank sprang
into a large and profitable business at once, and its deposits were trebled
and resources doubled in the year succeeding the first three months of
business. It has a capital of sixty thousand dollars, and owns one of
the finest bank buildings in Northern New York. Mr. Carter accepts
the faith of the Presbyterian church, and is a Republican in political
principle, but desires no office. He is a member of the board of educa-
tion of the Carthage Fligh School. He is a member of Carthage Lodge,
58 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
No. 158, and Carthage Cliapter, Xo. 259, of the }iIasonic fraternity,
and is affiliated with Watertown Commander)', No. 11, K. T., and
Media Temple, of the ^Mystic Shrine, at Watertown. He is also a
member of Carthage Lodge, No. 365, and Oriental Encampment, No.
135, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Carthage.
He was married October 17, 1883, to Lelia M. Wentworth, who
was born December 29, 1864, in Newport, Herkimer county, New
York, a daughter of Charles O. and Melissa (Windsor) Wentworth,
of old American families. Three daughters complete the family of
Mr. Cartel, namely: Lulu Irene, Helen Wentworth, and Erma Louise,
the eldest being now a student of the Carthage High School.
With a varied business experience which has given him an insight
of human character, and possessed of a genial and kindly nature, Mr.
Carter has the qualities necessary to success in business, and is reckoned
among the most progressive and respected citizens of the county.
(VI) LESTER CARTER, a farmer residing near Pleasant
Lake, in the town of Champion, is of the sixth generation in descent
from Jacob Carter, who settled at Branford, Connecticut, before 1712
(see A. B. Carter). At the time of Lester Carter's birth. May 11, 1833,
his father, Asa Barnes Carter, lived on the "River Road," east of Great
Bend. Until he was sixteen years old Lester lived there with his parents,
attending the district school. The family then moved to the farm now
owned by F. C. Carter, between Champion village and the "Huddle,"
and Lester subsequently attended a select school maintained in the vil-
lage. He continued to make his home with his father until his mar-
riage, assisting in the cultivation of the home farm, with the exception
of tW'O years when he worked in the pail and tub factory of S. E. Rice
at Carthage. In 1859 he bought a farm below Champion village, which
he kept and tilled ten years. After selling out he engaged in the manu-
facture of brick, in partnership with his twin brother, Chester Carter,
now a resident of Hannibal, Missouri. Their yard was located below
Carthage in the town of Wilna, near the present Houghton brickyard,
but the business did not prosper and w-as soon abandoned.
In July, 1871, Mr. Carter acquired one hundred and forty-eight
acres of land where he now resides, on the north side of Pleasant Lake,
and has since given his attention to its cultivation. For many years this
farm was known as the "Kelner place," and was well improved when it
came into possession of Mr. Carter. The house has stood for ninety
years, but is in good condition now, having been repaired and kept in
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 59
order by Mr. Carter, as were the other buildings, including the large
bams. The farm is handsomely located and forms an ideal residence
for the agriculturist. Mr. Carter was a member of the Congregational
church at Champion during its existence, and has been a deacon in
the society at West Carthage (successor of the Champion church) more
than thirty years. He is a member of Champion Grange, in which he
served as chaplain one year. During most of his adult life he has
affiliated with the Republican party, but now gives allegiance to the
Prohibition party. Of quiet domestic tastes, he has never taken part
in political strife, though steadfast in the maintenance of his principles.
He was married September i6. 1857, to Cordelia E. Burhans, a
native of the town of LeRay, daughter of Gilbert and Eliza Burhans.
Her mother was a daughter of Joel P. Rice, one of the first settlers of
Champion, where he located in 1802. A son and daughter complete
the family of Mr. Carter, namely: Lila M. and L. J. The former is
the wife of George M. Hall, of Philadelphia, New York, and has two
children — Charles Eddy and Eva Loella. L. J. Carter tills his father's
farm. He married Carrie O'Hara.
The Burhans family of which Mrs. Carter is a member is one
of the oldest in the state. The founder in this country was Jacob
Burhans, who was born m Holland and is first found of record March
28, 1660, as a soldier in the Dutch service. On the record of the organ-
ization of the church at Wiltv.'yck (Kingston), New York, December 7,
1660, his name is found third in the list of members. November 21,
1661, he was appointed collector of church rates and excise. In June,
1663, he had two houses burned in the new village, outside the stockade.
April 28, 1666, he was elected justice of the peace, and commissioner of
the court in November of the following year. He owned land in
Esopus (then Brabant) and lot 11 in the village of Kingston. He
died before September, 1677.
(2) Jan Burhans arrived April 16, 1663, at New York, in the
ship "Bonte Koe" (Spotted Cow), and was admitted to the church
at Kingston July 3, 1664. He was elected elder December 11, 1685,
and again in 1696, serving until 1701. From April, 1693, to November,
1695, he was magistrate of the town court of Kingston. Pfe died in
October, 170S. His wife, Helena Tophagen, was a daughter of William
Jansen and his first wife, Jannetje Claessen Graeanis, of Meppelt,
daughter of William J. Graemis, who settled in 1660 at Bushwick.
Helena Burhans died between 1728 and 1732.
60 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
(3) Barent, eldest surviving son and fourth born to Jan and
Helena Burhans, was baptized April 24, 1681, and married at Kingston
Margriet Jans Matthyssen, daughter of Jan and Magdalena (Blanchan)
Matthyssen. Barent was first a shoemaker and later a miller. In
February, 1706, he bought four acres of land in "The Hell." In 1710
he was granted five "morgens" of land which cost him nine pounds
and the expense of survey. He was elected constable in 1708. He died
before March 3, 1740. He had five sons and four daughters.
(4) Johannes Burhans was baptized at Kingston, August 26,
171 1, and married at the same place, December 12, 1735, to Sara Oos-
terhondt, daughter of Peter Jans and Heyltje (Schut) Oosterhoudt.
He died between March, 1758, and February, 1790.
(5) Petrus Burhans was born May 22, 1742, and died at Fish-
kill in March, 1811. He was married at Poughkeepsie January 16,
1766, to Annetje Sypher, daughter of William and Nelly (Storm)
Sypher. She died May 17, 1832, and was the mother of three sons and
four daughters.
(6) David Burhans was born November 16, 1775, at North
Hackensack, New Jersey, and died March 31, 1834, in the town of
LeRay, Jefferson county. New York. He was married at Saugerties,
New York, July 8, 1798, to Elizabeth Flagler, daughter of Simon
Flagler. She was born January 20, 1778, and died March 20, 1855, in
LeRay. Soon after his marriage Mr. Burhans settled in LeRay and
bought land on which he lived until his death. He was a member of
the Presbyterian church at Evans Mills. Four of his sons and three
daughters grew to adult age.
(7) Gilbert Burhans was born May 15, 1805, at Pleasant Valley,
New York, and was reared in LeRay. He was married May 29, 1834,
to Eliza Lavinia Rice, daughter of Joel P. and Elizabeth (Crowner)
Rice. She was born May 7, 1808, in Champion, and died August 28,
1840. For his second wife, Mr. Burhans married Lucy Clark, of
Halifax, Vermont. He died October 9, 1846. The only survivor of
his two children is Cordelia E. (8), wife of Lester Carter.
(VII) FREDERICK CASSANDER CARTER, son of Asa
Barnes Carter, was born December 2, 1839. in the northern part of
Champion, on the "River Road," and was ten years old when the family
moved to the homestead which he now owns, near Champion village.
His earliest acquaintance with school was made in the local districts,
and from fifteen to sixteen vears of ag-e he attended the academies at
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 61
Champion and Carthage (Bush's). The intervals of study were filled
from an early age with attention to such duties as fall to farmer lads,
and he was counted a full hand from eighteen years old. On attaining
his majority he was employed about .a sawmill in Croghan for a time,
and in 1862 he assisted his father in building a bridge at Great Bend.
He enlisted as a soldier of the Civil war July 31, 1862, in a six-gun
battery of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillary, and was continually
in the service until June 7, 1865, when he was discharged as a duty
sergeant. The first year was spent in the defenses about New York
city, and the next nine months about Washington. Thereafter he acted
with the Army of the Potomac and in the Shenandoah valley. The
heavy artillery was chiefly employed in protective and guard duty, and
though on the field was not brought into pitched battle.
In November, 1865, Mr. Carter bought out the other heirs, and has
since owned the homestead, which he tilled until 1901, renting it in
1902-03, and working it himself since. It embraced ninety acres when
he bought it, and he has added forty-five acres and made many improve-
ments. Portions of the land are very stony and somewhat rougli in
contour, but he has partially conquered nature and "made glad the
desert places." From one and one-fourth acres he removed stone suf-
ficient to build a wall six feet wide at base, five feet high and four feet
wide on top, twenty-seven rods long, at a cost in wages and board for
men and teams of eighty-seven dollars. The land is now smooth
meadow. The farm maintains a dairy of twenty to twenty-five cows
of Holstein strain, and is among the model farms of the town.
Mr. Carter is a member of E. B. Steele Post, Grand Army of the
Republic, of Carthage. He continued membership during its existence
in the Congregational church of Champion, in which he declined the
office of deacon. He now attends the Methodist church of Champion,,
with his family. For fifteen years he has been an active participant in
the work of the Champion Grange, of which he was master three terms,
and was one year master of the Jefferson County Pomona Grange,
At present he has charge of the sales of the Champion cheese factory.
His political connection was for long years with the Republican party,
but he now acts with the Prohibitionists. He was many times elected
constable of Champion, and did much detective work in preventing the
illegal sale of liquors in the town, being chairman of the prosecuting
committee maintained for that purpose. He has also acted as assessor
of the town. He is a friend of humanity, and, therefore, a supporter
62 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
of every reform movement.. Intelligent and progressive, he enjoys the
respect and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintance.
Mr. Carter was married February 21, 1S66, to Miss Eliza Graves,
who was born June 22, 1842, in Antwerp, this county, a daughter of
Elijah and Lorinda (Clark) Graves, the former a native of Connecti-
cut and the latter of Vermont. They came from Westmoreland, Oneida
county, tins state, to Champion, and both families are of English
descent. Four sons were given to Mr. and Mrs. Carter. The eldest,
Asa Barnes, died April 24, 1891, aged twentjr-two years. He was a
successful cheesemaker. All the sons attended the home school at the
"Huddle" until sixteen years old, and were then sent to the Carthage
High School, from which the youngest graduated. Fred Lee, born
June 6, 1 87 1, would have graduated, but was taken sick. He was for
ten years a hardware salesman in Watertown, and died April 18, 1900,
universally regretted. Milton Graves, born July 23, 1873, was two
years a teacher, and has been a traveling salesman seven years, with
headquarters at Hannibal, Missouri. He went directly to this position
from a teacher, and has remained with one firm ever since, being pro-
moted from working for an experience up to receiving a salary of
$100 per month. He is an oil salesman for a large house. Leon
Thompson, born July 2, 1878, is now a student at Syracuse University
in the class of 1904. He has always been a very ambitious student,
never satisfied with less than "A" in any of his examinations. Out of
sixteen applications sent by members of his class to enter Edison's testing
room, only two, himself and one other, were accepted.
THE BALL FAMILY. In 1613 a coat-of-arms was conferred
upon one Richard Ball, of Northamptonshire, England, and was probably
identical with tiiat borne by the New England and Virginia families of
the name, as all bear a close resemblance.
(I) Between 1635 and 1640 six sons of William Ball, of Wilt-
shire, England, came to America. The eldest of these was Ailing Ball,
who settled in New Haven, Connecticut, and from 1640 to 1650 was
in charge of the Rev. John Davenport's farm at East Haven. While
there he had two sons born- — Edward, about 1642, and John, about 1649.
In 1650 he returned to New Haven and settled upon his own land, on
part of which Yale College now stands. Four of his brothers were
settled in New England, and their descendants are scattered throughout
the countrv.
GENEALOGICAL AXD FAMILY HISTORY. 63
William, the sixth son of William Ball, of Wiltshire, England, was
at one time in New Haven, but devoted himself to the trade in furs,
tobacco and other American products, and made frequent trips to
London, being both an exporter arid importer. He was enrolled in
Virginia as a merchant until 1657, when he is found of record in the
same colony as a planter. In the meantime he had continued traveling
between London and American ports, and was married July 2, 1638.
in London, to Hannah Atherald. He settled in Lancaster county, Vir-
gmia, and one of his sons, Joseph, was the father of Mary Ball, who
married Augustine Washington. She was left a widow while her chil-
dren were young, but was a strong and resolute character, and reared
a son, George, who will ever be revered and honored as "Father of
his Country."
(II) Edward, eldest son of Ailing Ball, born about 1642, married
Abigail Blatchly about 1664, and moved with the church of which he was
a member about 1667, to New Jersey, locating on the present site of the
city of Newark. He was assigned a lot of about six acres in the heart of
the present city, and a portion of this is now occupied by his descendant,
Miss Rachel Burnet. Edward and Abigail Ball had four sons and two
daughters — Caleb, Abigail, Joseph, Lydia, Moses and Thomas.
(III) Thomas, son of Edward Ball, was born in 1687 in Newark,
and about 1710 married Sarah Davis. He died December 18, 1744,
and his widow survived until February i, 1778, reaching the age of
eighty-eight years. They were the parents of twelve children.
(IV) Nathaniel, eldest child of Thomas and Sarah Ball, was
born about 171 1, and married Esther Osburn. He resided at Connecti-
cut Farms, New Jersey, where he died in 1781, aged seventy years.
(V) Nehemiah, son of Nathaniel and Esther Ball, was born in
1756, and married Esther Sallee at Connecticut Farms. He was first
sergeant of an artillery company in the Revolutionary army, whose
muster roll is still preserved by his descendants in Watertown, New
York. In 1796 he moved with his family to Frankfort, Herkimer county,
this state, and died in June, 1847, at Pultney, Steuben county. New York.
His wife died in 18 16 in Rutland, New York. She was the mother of
nine children. The sixth of these, Sinecy, receives appropriate mention
in this article.
(VI) Elihu, second child and eldest son of Nehemiah and Esther
(Sallee) Ball, was born July 25, 1784, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and
was twelve years old when the family went to Frankfort, New York.
64 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
The father liad purchased this land without having seen it, and when he
located upon it there was work for all in clearing up the land and making
a home. Having grown to man's estate, in the fall of 1805 he visited
Jefiferson county and bought land in the town of Rutland, in Septem-
ber. On the sixth of March, 1806, he left Herkimer county and arrived
at his Rutland purchase four days later. He describes Watertown as
being a hamlet of a dozen small houses then. He cleared twenty-five
acres and built a log house and barn ; he then sold his farm and bought
another adjoining of eighty acres which he cleared and improved. He
settled on tlie second place in the spring of 1810. It is apparent that
he must have been industrious, as he had accomplished much in the
wilderness in the first four years.
In December, 18 12, he volunteered in a cavalry company, and served
three months about Sacketts Harbor and Cape Vincent, with the rank
of sergeant. In June, 1814, he went with his team to Buffalo, helping
to convey a regiment for the defense of that point against possible
British invasion. Returning to Sacketts Harbor in September of the
same year, he kept a boarding house at that place until peace was pro-
claimed in March, 1S15. He then returned to his farm in Rutland, on
which he built a frame barn in 1817, and a house in 1822. Four of his
children were born in the log house, which was replaced by a frame
building in 1822. Having retired from active farming in favor of
his son, in 1856, he moved with the latter to Watertown, where he
continued to reside until his death on February 19, 187 1.
He was married November 22, 1804, to Anna, daughter of Will-
iam Pelton. She was born August 25, 1785, in Saybrook, Connecticut,
and was in her tenth year when Mr. Pelton brought his family to
Frankfort, this state. He came in the early spring with four yokes
of oxen and two sleighs, the journey consuming three weeks. Mrs.
Ball died February 10, 1857, at the home of her son in Watertown.
Following is a record of her children; Maria, born January i, 1806,
died September 10, 1889, while visiting friends at Clayton;
she was then the widow of John P. Wilson, of Watertown. Samantha,
born October 9, 1807, became the wife of Pliny Monroe, and died
May 5, 1887, in Watertown, being then a widow. Juliette, born March
27, 1809, married Samuel Payne, and died at Tylerville, June 17, 1881.
William P., born November 24, 1810, was a farmer in Rutland, where
he died April 10, 1902. Henry Morris, the subject of the following
paragraphs. Lucippa Ann, born June 2, 1824, died December 9, 1885;
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 65
she was tlie wife of Charles Pickett, of T3'lerville, and both died in
Watertown, where Mr. Pickett was in business for a number of years.
(VII) Maria, eldest child of Elihu and Anna (Pelton) Ball, was
born January i, 1806, at Frankfort, New York. In March of the same
year, her parents moved to Rutland, where she resided until her marriage,
January 17, 1827, to John P. Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a farmer in the
Town of Watertown, and died there. His wife died September 10, 1889,
while visiting friends at Clayton. They were the parents of five children,
the eldest of whom receives extended notice below. Mary, the second,
married Albert Hall. George Almon resides at Burr's Mills. Melissa,
wife of Byron Monroe, died. Jennie married Byron Champlin, and
resides at Bowling Green, Ohio.
(VIII) Anna Elizabeth, eldest child of John P. and Maria (Ball)
Wilson, was born July 10, 1830, in the town of Watertown, and remained
at home with her parents until February 7, 1850, when she was married
to Phineas Collins. He was born June 17, 1820, in the town of Martins-
burg, Lewis county, this state, and in manhood engaged in farming in
the town of Watertown until April, 1871, when he located in the city of
Watertown. He died August 27, 1892, and his wife passed away July
13, 1877. Mr. Collins was an old-time Democrat, and made no change
in his allegiance. Brief mention of his children follows :
(IX) Clark Wilson Collins was born April 15, 1851, in the town
of Watertown, and married Frances Ann Thurston, daughter of Pierson
K. Thurston, of Burr's Mills.
(IX) Flora Melissa Collins, born July 19, i860, in the town of
Watertown, was married June 17, 1880, to Frank Amos Baker. He was
born July 4, 185 1, in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, this state. He
is an earnest Republican, and a member of Watertown Lodge, No. 49,
of the Masonic order. He is a machinist, and resides in the city of
Watertown. His eldest child, Cora Ann, born August 6, 188 1, died
March 24, 1883. Roy Eugene born May 24, 1885, is employed by his
uncle, George C. Baker, a merchant of Watertown. Arthur Frank, born
August 24, 1887, died January 11, 1897. Gladys Mildred May, born
March 11, 1893, is a student of the city schools.
(X) Frank Collins Baker, second child and eldest son of Frank
Amos and Flora M. (Collins) Baker, was born March 13, 1883, in the
city of Watertown, in whose public schools he received his education.
He acquired the trade of machinist, by close study and much hard labor
66 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
becoming a skilled artisan. He is a member of the First Baptist Church.
and is respected as an upright Christian man.
(VII) Henry Morris Ball, son of Elihu. was born June 27, 1820,
being the last of the children born in the log house. He was educated in
the common schools of that period and obtained what would be con-
sidered in these days a rather limited education. In the fall of 1839,
being then nineteen years of age, he went to Depauville and lived in the
family of Stephen Johnson for two years. Mr. Johnson was postmaster
and owned grist and saw mills. Young Ball made himself useful dur-
ing these two years, at a salary of seventy-five dollars per year and board,
and felt that he was getting the best of the bargain, perhaps. He saved
one-half of his two years' salary, and in the fall of 1841 came to the then
village of Watertown, where, in company wath Walter N. Woodruff, he
bought out a grocery store. This business did not prove satisfactory,
and a year later he returned to his native place to assist his father, who
was then some fiftv years of age. Being possessed of the Yankee aptitude
for business, he soon liegan to enlarge the field of his endeavors, and
beginning about 1845 dealt in stock more or less. In the fall of 1856 he
moved to Watertown and bought the property on Paddock street, which
ever after continued to be his home. In this he made valuable improve-
ments, including a barn costing $3,500, and it is one of the most desir-
able places in the city. He then engaged in the purchase of farm produce,
dealing quite extensively in butter and cheese, and occupied a store in the
city some forty years, retiring in 1898. Beside owning considerable
valuable real estate in the city, he had a farm of nearly four hundred
acres in the town of Rutland, with fifty head of cattle, all of which he
looked after and managed personally. His life was a very active one,
and he was remarkably well preserved at the time of his death, March 19,
1904. His demise was caused by heart failure, in the midst of apparently
perfect health. By his industry and shrewdness, he accumulated a hand-
some competence. In young manhood be adhered to the Democratic
party, but its attitude on the slavery issue alienated him and he had been
a steadfast Republican ever since the adoption of the "Missouri Com-
promise." Never an office-seeker, he always took an intelligent interest
in the jirogress of his county, the state and the nation. During the Civil
war he was prevented by the demands of a growing family from volun-
teering as a soldier, hut sent a soldier in his place, though he was not
drafted and was not compelled to do so. He was a leading member of
(^.M^^alej)
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 67
the Universalist church, ancl one of the most prominent and progressive
citizens of Watertown.
Mr. Ball was married March 9, 1843, to Mehitable Burnhani. who
was born in May. 1822, at Burr's Mills, daughter of Nathaniel Burn-
ham, of that place. (See Burnham, VI.) Mrs. Ball died April 22, 1871,
leaving three children. The first of these, Helen Medora, born April 25,
1845, is the widow of John J. Lamon, of Watertown. Alice B., born No-
vember 2, 1846, is the widow of William W. Scott, and resides in New
York city. Wooster O., of whom further mention appears later. Mr. Ball
married for his second wife, September 17, 1873, Eunice E. Drullard,
who was born May 27, 1841, in Albany, iJew York, daughter of Solomon
and Eunice (Ingalls) Drullard, of French and English descent respect-
ively. The children of this marriage are : ^^'illiam Drullard, men-
tioned hereinafter. Fred Henry, born Novemlier 10, 1876, died at
the age of three years. Arthur Rea, mentioned hereinafter. Margaret
Lorain, born March 29, 1888, at home.
(Vni) Wooster Orlin Ball was born September 26, 1853, ""^
Rutland, this county, and -was reared in the city of Watertown. He
was a student of the Watertown high school, and spent two years at
Dartmouth College. In the meantime he had given some attention to
business in the office of his father, and he left school in order to engage
in business as a partner of the latter in the produce trade. Before he
was thirty years of age he became interested in the idea of making paper
from the immense lumber resources of the Black River valley, and in
1887 he built a pulp mill at Black River which he operated ten years.
In January, 1897, he organized the Tissue Paper Company of Carthage,
in which he was appointed secretary and treasurer, and still continues in
that capacity. He had previously been interested in tlie Black River Wood
Pulp Company, which leased and operated what was known as the Spicer
plant at Carthage, now out of existence. In 1900, to supply the de-
mands of the Tissue Paper Company, a pulp mill was constructed at
South Edwards, the product of which is consumed at Carthage. In
all of these enterprises Mr. Ball has been a moving spirit, and their
success is largely due to his industry and sound business faculty. He
attends the Presbyterian church, with his family, and is an ardent be^
liever in the principles of Republicanism.
Mr. Ball was married June 23, 1881, to Miss Kate L. Baker, who
was born June 21, 1859, at Oswego, New York, daughter of George
and Cynthia (Mattison) Baker, natives, respectively, of Watertown
68 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
and Scriba, New York. Mrs. Ball's grandfather, Thomas Baker, was
an early resident of \\'atertown, where he ser^-ed long as a magistrate.
Mr. and Mrs. Ball are the parents of three children, born as follows :
Marguerite Mattison, November 2, 1886; Glady.s Morgan, July 12,
1888; and William Burnham, January 18, 1891.
William Drullard Ball was born April 21, 1875, in \\'atertown,
this county. He attended the Watertown public schools, the Clinton
Liberal In.stitute, at Fort Plain, New York, St. Lawrence University,
and Union College. At the age of nineteen years he left college to
engage in the pulp business with his brother, at Carthage, and upon
the organization of the Tissue Paper Company he was made vice-
president. He is a diligent and successful business man, and a popular
citizen of Cartilage, where he has resided since 1894. He is a director of
the Champion Paper Company of that town, which he assisted in estab-
lishing in 1901, and is president of the village board of water commis-
sioners. He is a staunch Republican, and active in the local councils of
his party. He is a firm believer in the faith of the Universalist church.
He was married July 19, 1898, to Miss Eva Weber, daughter of
John and Carrie Weber, of German extraction. Mrs. Ball is a native
of Carthage, and a m.ember of Grace Episcopal church.
Arthur Rea Ball was born November 6, 1877, at Watertown, New
York. He was educated in the schools of that city, and the Clinton
Liberal Institute. .At eigh.teen years of age he engaged in the wholesale
produce business with his father at Watertown, and came to Carthage
in the spring of 1897 to join his brothers in the paper manufacture.
After two years' service as clerk and handy man he became superin-
tendent of the plant, wdiich position he now holds, and is at present man-
ager of the Cham])ion Paper Company, which he assisted in organizing,
and whose plant he built. He is a steadfast Republican in political prin-
ciples.
He was married June 14, 1899, to Anna Irving Hollis, who was
born in Canton, New York, December 11, 1878, daughter of Charles J.
and Martha A. (Harris) Hollis. His wife, ALartha A. (Harris) Holhs,
was a daughter of the inventor of the Harris scale. Mrs. Ball is a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church, of Carthage, where the family resides.
Mr. Ball attends the Universalist church.
(VI) Sinecy, sixth of the nine children of Nehemiah and Esther
(Sallee) Ball, was torn March 3, 1791, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and
was taken by his parents to Frankfort, Herkimer county, this state, when
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 69
five years of age. There he grew to manhood and received such educa-
tion as was afforded by the pioneer schools. Before attaining his ma-
jority, he came to this county and spent a few years in Rutland, where
he was married. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, for which he was
granted a pension a few years before his death. In the year 18 17 he
located in the town of Theresa, being one of the first permanent residents
of that town. He settled on the military road two miles west of the falls,
cleared up the land, and became one of the prosperous farmers and influ-
ential citizens of his town. He was an officer at Sackets Harbor in
1812-14, and subsequently a colonel of militia. He was often in com-
mand at the trainings at Antwerp, near Cook's tavern. He sold his orig-
inal farm in 1836 and bought another in the same town, and passed his
last years on his third farm near Hyde Lake, in the town of Theresa,
where he died July i, 1877, '" ''''^ eighty-seventh year.
He married Charlotte Towne, March 25, 1813. She was born Sep-
tember 4, 1792, in New Hampshire, a daughter of Francis and Relief
Towne, early residents of Rutland. Colonel Ball's family incuded seven
sons and one daughter, who grew to maturity, and two are now living.
The first three died in infancy. Warren, born May 13, 1818, died at
Centralia, Illinois. Edward, May 20, 1830, died in Watertown, as
related below. Egbert, March 27, 1822 died near Hyde Lake. Willis,
April 21, 1824, died at Plessis. Charles, May 3, 1826, died in Theresa.
Chauncey April 15, 183 1, lived on his father's homestead, where he died.
Wilson F., June 30. 1834. is now a Methodist clergyman, located at
Tupper Lake. The daughter, Emeline, born July, 14, 1828, married David
G. Collins, and is now the widow of Henry Cough, residing at Cape Vin-
cent. She was educated in the public schools of the town and village of
Theresa, and taught three terms of school in her native town while a
young lady. She was never blessed with children. She is a member of
the Presbyterian church at Cape Vincent, and has been a teacher in the
Sunday school. Having been a widow ten years at one time, and again
during the last nineteen years, she now lives entirely alone, and affords
a good example of the virility and longevity of those bearing the Ball
blood.
Colonel Ball attended and supported the Universalist church and
was a Whig and Republican. A quiet man, he attended to his own con-
cerns and was a strictly temperate, upright and exemplary citizen.
(VII) Edward, second son and child and Colonel Sinecy and Char-
lotte (Towne) Ball, was born May 30, 1820, in the town of Theresa, and
7(» GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
received his education in the common schools of his native town and the
"Middle Road school," in the town of Rutland, whither he went at the
age of thirteen years to live with his uncle, Luther Towne. His first
independent undertaking- was in the cultivation of rented lands, succes-
sively in the towns of Theresa, Rutland and Watertown. In 1877 he
purchased the farm in the last named town, on which now reside his
sons, Henry C. and John B. Ball. He was a successful farmer and
owned and operated a cheese factory, continuing these industries until his
death, which took place October i. 1883. While not a member of any
religious organization, he was a moral man and respected as an indus-
trious and upright citizen. He was a sincere Republican in political
principle, and the confidence of his fellows is shown in the fact that he
served several years as collector of the town of Watertown.
He was married January 6. 1843, to Eliza Howell, born in the town
of Champion, December 5. 1823. and died December 29. 1902. She was
the daughter of William and Mary (Raymond) Howell. The children
of Edward and Eliza (Howell) Ball, eight in number, settled near their
parents, and all now living reside within their native town. Jane Eliza,
born September 3, 1844. in the town of Rutland, is a highly intelligent
lady, and is regarded as a mother by the younger members of the family.
Her home is in Watertown, with her widowed sister as companion.
Byron Edward receives further mention in a following paragraph. Her-
bert William, born December 9, 1849, died when thirty -five years old,
unmarried. Anna Jennette. born September 4, 1853, in the town of
Watertown. died in her tenth year. Lucy Ann. November 25, 1855, was
married March 20, 1879, to George B. Simmons, who died April 7, 1891,
leaving two children namely: Edith M., born Aug^ist i, 1883, and Ed-
ward D.. November 13. 188S. died August 22, 1893. Charles Gardner
Ball, born March 17, 1859. in Rutland, died in the beginning of his six-
teenth year. Henry C. is the subject of a later paragraph, as is also
John B., the youngest.
(Vni) Byron Edward, second child and eldest son of Edward
and Eliza (Howell) Ball, was born June 14. 1847. in the town of Rut-
land, and received a practical education in the common schools. In early
manhood_ he followed teaching and farming, and purchased bis present
farm in 1883. It is located in the southeastern part of the town of Water-
town, com])rising valley and upland, especially adapted to dairying and
stock-growing. Like all the family he believes in and. supports the prin-
ciples ft the Republican party. He was married November 23, 1869. to
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 71
Lovica Wadley, daugliter of James Wadley. She was born October 19,
1846, and died June 11, 1903, leaving a son, Arthur Boynton Ball. Mr.
Ball is of retiring disposition, respected and esteemed by his neighbors.
(IX) Arthur Boynton, only child of Byron E. and Lovica Ball,
was born November 19, 1873, in the town of Watertown, was educated in
the public schools and resides on the farm with his father. He was
married October 13, 1897, to Nora Anna Fralick, who was born October
10, 1877, in the town of Worth, daughter of Adam and Adelaide (Wash-
burn) Fralick. The tenth generation is represented by the son of
Arthur B. Ball, namely, Keith Adam Byron, born June 23, 1904.
(VIII) Henry C, seventh child of Edward and Eliza (Howell)
Ball, was born June 26, 1861, in Rutland, and was reared in the town of
Watertown, attending the public scliools. From his father he learned
the details of cheese-making, and has continued that industry to the pres-
ent time, in conjunction with farming. He is a member of the Water-
town Produce Exchange, and is regarded as a successful and exemplary
business man of his town. He adheres to the political precepts of his
father and grandfather, believing in the financial and protective systems
in vogue.
Mr. Ball was married October 27, 1885, to Miss Mertilla C. Horn,
a daughter of Thomas and Angeline Horn. She was born March 8, 1865,
on Wolf Island, in the St. Lawrence river, under Canadian dominion.
Mr. Ball's family includes two children, born in the town of Watertown,
as follows: Ada Horn, April 7, 1890, and Beulah A., November 27,
1898.
(VIII) John B., youngest child of Edward and Eliza (Howell)
Ball, was born April 23, 1866, in Watertown, and resides with his elder
brother on the farm which their father purchased in 1877, on which he
was born. He gives assiduous attention to business, in the operation of
the cheese factory and farm, in company with his brother, and does not
seek political station, though sound and stable in political principle. The
brothers are respected citizens of the town, as were their father and grand-
father.
(I) Among the six sons of William Ball, of Wiltshire, England,
who came to American before 1640, as above noted, was John Ball, who
settled near Boston.
(II) Nathaniel, son of John Ball, with his wife Mary resided in
Concord. Massachusetts, and had the following children : John, died
72 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
1649; Nathaniel, born and died 1649; Eljenezer, Eleazur and John, the
latter born 1660.
(III) Eleazur, fourth son of Nathaniel and ]Mary Ball, was born
somewhere about 1653 to 1658.
(IV) Deacon Eleazur, son of Eleazur Ball, was born in 1698, in
Concord, Massachusetts, and was one of the first settlers in Rutland, in
Worcester county, same colony, in 17 19. For a time he lived in South-
bridge, same county, and removed to Spencer, a neighboring town in
Worcester countv, in 1752. The record of his children is as follows:
Jonas, Joseph, Peter, a daughter (unnamed), Abigail, Silas, Jonathan,
the last two being twins.
(V) Jonathan Ball, last above named, was born in 1752, in South-
bridge, Massachusetts, and was among the early settlers of Lowville.
Lewis county, this state, where he cleared up land and engaged in agri-
culture. He was one of the respected and worthy citizens of that town,
where he died in 1831. His wife, Anna Gibbs, was a native of old Sud-
bury, Massachusetts, a daughter of Mr. and Anna (Townsend) Gibbs.
of that town. The time of her death is not known. Their family included
six children. Jonathan Ball served as a soldier through the Revolution.
Jonathan Ball (2), son of Jonathan and Anna Ball, was born Au-
gust 15, 1783, in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and was about at his ma-
jority when he removed with his parents to Lowville, New York. His
active life was there devoted to farming, and he was a man of influence
in the town, and highly respected by his neighbors. He was a soldier
in the war of 1812, emulating his father's example in defending his native
land against invading enemies.
Mr. Ball was married September 5, 1805, to Lucinda Ballard, who
was born February 5, 1786. in Hatfield, Massachusetts, a daughter of
John and Ann (Dickinson) Ballard. They had four sons and two daugh-
ters. Mr. Ball died at Lowville, January 24, 1833, J" his fiftieth year,
and was survived nearly twenty-four years by his widow, who passed
away November 20, 1856, at Belmont, New York.
(VI) John Ballard Ball, son of Jonathan (2) and Lucinda (Bal-
lard) Ball, was born September 6, 181 1, in Lowville, New York. He
attended the public school of his native town, and assisted his father on
the home farm until he was grown up. He then learned the harness-
maker's trade and followed it for a short time, returning to the farm upon
the death of his father. For three years he managed the farm for his
mother, achieving a large degree of success as a reward for his untiring
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 73
efforts. In 183S he located in what is now the town of Cape Vincent,
then part of Lyme. After tilHng a farm there seven years he removed to
the town of Watertown in 1845, ^"fl continued to reside there the re-
mainder of his days. He became a large landowner, gradually extend-
ing the bounds of his home farm, and acquiring land in other states, as an
investment. His success in life was the result of his own industry, sound
business faculty and perseverance. It is easy to realize that such a man
had little time to devote to others' concerns, and was averse to any part
in practical politics, but he was settled in bis convictions of true public
policy and sustained the Republican party. He was a member of Water-
town Grange, No. 7, and a life member of the Jefferson Countv Agri-
cultural Society. Being interested in education, be served as school trus-
tee, but refused any other official station.
John Ballard Ball was married April 15, 1835, to Melinda Bailey,
who was born in the village of Watertown January 17, 1813, a daughter
of Captain Setli and Rebecca (Loomis) Bailey. Mr. Ball died October
23' 1903- and bis wife died March 31, 1888. Following is mention of
their children: Irene Allen, born February 25, 1837, ^t Lowville, died
when two years old. Lucinda, born March 2. 1840, at Millens Bay, now
Riverview, town of Cape Vincent, married George Adams Taylor, Janu-
ary 20, 1864, and resides in the city of Watertown. John Nathan receives
farther mention below. Charlotte, born October 29, 1844, at Riverview,
was married January 20, 1864, to Luzern Westcott, and died April 25,
1869, at Oneonta, New York.
The children of Luzern and Charlotte Wescott are : Helen, born
June, 1865, aiid Minnie, December, 1866. Silas Dexter Ball, born March
21, 1847, married Alice Patterson, December 29, 1868, and resides in the
city of Watertown. Burton Ballard Ball, born June 6, 1849, ^^'^^ mar-
ried November 17, 1875, to Florence Ranney, and died August 23, 1902,
in Pamelia, this county. Eva Jane Ball, born September 6, 1852, was
married December 2, 1875, to Oscar W. Barnes, and resides in Water-
town. She is the mother of Roy Barnes, born in 1877. Fred A. Ball
receives extended mention below.
(VII) John Nathan Ball, third child and first son of John Ballard
and Malinda (Bailey) Ball, was born May 20, 1842, at Millen's Bay, in
the town of Cape Vincent, and received his education in the public schools
of Watertown. He remained at home with his parents until he finally
purchased a farm adjoining the paternal homestead, and successfully
tilled and managed it until 1S94, in which year be removed to the city
74 GEXEALOGICAL AXD FAMILY HISTORY.
of Watertown and retired from farming. In politics he is a Republican,
and he is a member of Watertown Grange, No. 7, one of the most flourish-
ing societies of its kind in the country. Mr. Ball believes in public edu-
cation, and has acted as school trustee, as a duty to the community. He
is of a quiet and reserved nature, a respected citizen and a worthy rep-
resentative of an honored name and ancestry. His beautiful and spacious
home in the city of Watertown is located at the corner of Washington
street and Flower avenue west, and is presided over by his wife and their
daughter, Etta May, estimable and amiable ladies, esteemed by all who
have the honor of their acquaintance. Mr. Ball and his family are regular
attendants of the Second Presbyterian Church of Watertown.
He was married November 20, 1866, to Miss Adeline Sickler, a
daughter of John Garrison and Hannah (Wightman) Sickler. She was
born November 21, 1850. in the town of Milford, Otsego county. New
York. Her children were: Will Ballard. Etta May and Vera. The
last named, born May 30. 1884. died in infancy.
Will Ballard Ball was born September 20. 1867. in the town of
Watertown, was educated in the public schools, and remained at home
some years, following agriculture. For two years he has been the pro-
prietor of a harness store in the city of Watertown. He is a stanch
Republican, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was married
in November, 1891. to Miss Mary Gertrude Hardy, daughter of Phineas
and Eunitia (Earl) Hardy. She was born at Sanford's Corners, in the
town of LeRay, this county, and is the mother of Charlotte Millard Ball,
born September 16, 1897, in the town of Watertown. Mr. Ball's home
is on Flower avenue west.
Etta May Ball w-as born February 24, 1870, in the city of Water-
town and was married February 20, 1890, to George Leon Hardy, a son
of Phineas Hardy, above mentioned. He was born June 25, 1869, at
Sanford's Corners, and has a son. Earl Ball Hardy, born September 18,
1898. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy reside with the latter's parents, on Wash-
ington street, Watertown.
(VH) Fred Archie Ball, youngest child of John Ballard and
Malinda (Bailey) Ball, was born December i, 1855, on the homestead
in the town of Watertown, where he now resides. The public schools of
his native town and the city of Watertown afforded his educational train-
ing, and he began early to receive lessons in agriculture at home. He
continued with his father until 1880. when he went to Rutland and began
farming on his own account. A year later he settled on a farm near
^ J^^f^^i-^^
^/
%^
cj^ (p. 7C^
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 75
Adams Center, on which he continued to reside until 1904, and which
he still owns. In the spring of the last named year he returned to the
paternal homestead, where he carries on general farming and dairying.
He is a progressive and successful agriculturist, a good citizen, and com-
mands the respect of his fellows. He affiliates with Adams Center
Grange, and contributes his share to the success of this valuable associa-
tion. A sound Republican, he desires the success of his party, because
he believes its principles to be sound, but does not desire any recognition
in the way of official honors.
Mr. Ball was married December 18, 1878, at Burr's Mills, to Miss
Carrie Adams Thurston, who was born October 26, 1858, near that place,
in the town of Watertown a daughter of Pierson Kendall and Lucy Ann
(Adams) Thurston. Pierson K. Thurston was born October 19, 1820,
at Burr's Mills, and his wife was born September 3, 1822, in the town of
Rodman. She was^a daughter of Samuel and Sally Adams, and died at
Burr's Mills, January 20, 1870. Fred A. Ball and wife are the parents
of two sons, named below :
Rollie Thurston Ball was born April 3, 1884, near Adams Center,
and was educated in the public schools of his native town. He is a valua-
ble assistant in the labors of the home farm. Burt Bailey Ball was born
March 28, 1886, on the Adams homestead, and is an assistant of his
father an'd brother at home.
THE HULL FAMILY. The family of Hull is an old one in
England, and has furnished many good citizens to the United States.
Among these may be mentioned Philip Hull, a prominent farmer and
business man of West Carthage, New York, and his sons — Dr. C. J.
and W. P. Hull — of the same place.
(I) James Hull, a shepherd of Coltishall, Norfolk county, Eng-
land, was a man of remarkable endurance and strength. On the day of
his death, in the year 1829, at the age of eighty years, he walked from
Yarmouth to his home, a distance of twenty-two miles, and was in
ordinary good health. It is supposed that be was poisoned by Spanish
fly which he carried in his pocket for use on sheep, and which came in
contact with the luncheon carried also in his pocket during his labors
as shepherd. He was twice married.
(II) William Hull, only son of James Hull, was born at Coltis-
hall. Norfolk county, England, in 1777. He came to America in 1837,
and died in Westmoreland, Oneida county. New York, in 1852. His
76 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
first wife, Nancy (Woodhouse) Hull, also a native of Coltishall, died
at Westmoreland, New York, in 1842, aged sixty- four years. He
married for his second wife Mrs. Caroline Woodruff, widow of a Revo-
lutionary soldier, and her death occurred in W^estmoreland, New York,
in 1 85 1, aged eighty-nine years.
(III) William Hull, only son of A\"illiam and Nancy (W'ood-
house) Hull, was born in Horstead, Norfolk county, England, June 8,
1805, and died at Clark's Mills, Oneida county. New York, May 28,
1878. In 1837 he, with h:s father and mother and two of his children
— Mary Ann and Philip — came to America, landing June 4, 1837, in
New York, after a seven weeks voyage in a sailing vessel from London.
He remained with his father and mother in the town of New Hart-
ford, Oneida county, New York, until September, 1837, when he re-
turned to England, leaving his two children with his parents. He
remained in England over eleven years, and in November, 1848, re-
turned to America \\ith his wife and the remainder of his children.
He located in Peckville, Oneida county. New York, where he was en-
gaged for many years in the Wadding factory. His wife, Mary Ann
(Neal) Hull, was born at Lamas, Norfolk county, England, in Febru-
ary, 1S05, and died July 28, 1878, at Clark's Mills, Oneida county.
New York. She bore him the following named children: i. Mary
Ann, who became the wife of Charles Daykin, and died at Clark's
Mills, aged thirty-two years. 2. Philip, mentioned at length herein-
after. 3. Amy, who died in infancy before the family left England.
4. Charlotte, the widow of John Tier, residing in Walesville, New
York. 5. William, who died in Utica, New York, at the age of forty-
seven years. 6. Eliza, who died in Rome, New York, aged thfrty-two
years, while the wife of Alfred Brown. 7. Harriet, who died unmar-
ried, aged twenty-two years. 8. Anna, who is the wife of Andrew
Skillins, of Rome, New York. 9. Alfred, who resides at Roseboom,
Otsego county. New York. He was a Union soldier in the civil war.
10. Sarah, born at Peckville, Oneida county, New York, died un-
married, aged twenty years.
(IV) Philip Hull, eldest son of William and Mary Ann (Neal)
Hull, was born September 18, 1829, at Lamas, Norfolk county, Eng-
land, and be came to this country in 1837. Necessity compelled him to
l)egin his active business career when thirteen years of age, which he
did amid the most discouraging circumstances and with only five dollars
in his possession, this amount having been l^orrowed from his grand-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 77
father. He walked nine miles to the city of Utica, where he purchased
a small tin trunk and between eight and nine dollars' worth of goods
to begin peddling with, on which he paid three dollars and fifty cents,
and the dealer, being impressed with his apparent ambition and energy,
told him that he would trust hmi for the remainder. Under these cir-
cumstances he started out, and by dint of economy and perseverance
he was in the short space of six months' time enabled to pay up all of
his indebtedness and purchase another trunk and a larger stock of
goods. He also purchased new clothing for himself. Seeing the neces-
sity of having a better education, he made arrangements with a farmer
to do "chores" for his board, durmg the winter months attending school,
and paying his tuition. When he was nineteen years old he sent for his
father and mother to come to this country, using the bulk of his hard-
earned savings to accomplish this purpose. He continued in the same
line of business until he was twenty-one years old, when he purchased
a piece of land consisting of about three acres, adjoining his grand-
father's place of seven acres, for which he gave his note. He repaired
his grandfather's house, and resided there until the death of the latter,
when he paid two hundred dollars to his sister for her share of the
property, and in this way became the owner of the old homestead in
Westmoreland. He resided thereon for about four years after his
marriage, but his operations did not meet with the success he antici-
pated. Two cows, for which he gave his note, died, and subsequently
he purchased a number of others, but they also died. In 1856 he dis-
posed of ins property at a fair price, and with the proceeds purchased
a farm in Madison county, Nev/ York, where he followed agricultural
pursuits, achieving a small degree of success. For twO' years he con-
ducted a hotel at Pratt's Hollow, same county, with good success, but in
1862 he disposed of this and purchased a farm in Clinton, Oneida
county, New York, on which he remained four years.
In 1866 he purchased a farm and became a resident of Rutland,
Jefiferson county. New York, where he remained until 1870. In that
year he sold this property and purchased another farm, this one being
located near Carthage, New York. His first residence here was on
Martin street, where he remained thirteen years. He subsequently
dwelt sixteen years on North Main street. West Carthage, and during
this time he bought and sold several pieces of real estate. He purchased
a fine fruit farm at Lyndonville, Orleans county, New York, lived upon
it a short time, then sold it at a fair profit and returned to West Car-
78 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. '
thage. His present home is on Champion street, where he is leading
a retired hfe. Mr. Hull is a public-spirited citizen, and has been active
in promoting the progress and development of his home town. He
is the owner of a tract at the lower end of the village, which he is
subdividing as an addition for dwelling sites and business property.
He was one of the first trustees of the incorporated village of West
Carthage, and has refused the proffer of its presidency. He has served
from time to time as water commissioner, and was largely instrumental
in securing a water supply from the Carthage plant. For many years
he acted as assessor of the town of Champion with satisfaction to the
citizens. He supports the principles of public policy maintained by
the Republican party, and attends the Congregational church, with
which his wife is associated as a member. He is one of the four living
charter members of Carthage Grange, out of tliirty-four.
Mr. Hull was married September 29, 1852, in Fulton county,
Ohio, to Lucia Crosby, born in Hartwick, Otsego county. New York,
June 7, 1834. She was a daughter of the late John and Sarah (Adams)
Crosby, and removed with her parents to Fulton county, Ohio, in 1837.
Her grandfather was John Crosby, who was born March 7, 1769, at
Martha's Vineyard, and died in Hartwick, New York, March 8, 1858.
He was a butter-tub maker and cooper. His wife, Mary (Lasell)
Crosby, born in Scotland, Windham county, Connecticut, June 15,
1769, died March 20, 1862, bore him five children. John Crosby,
father of Mrs. Hull, was born October 24, 1798, in Lisbon, Connecti-
cut, and was a hatter by trade. He was formerly a resident of Hart-
wick, New York, from whence he removed to Fulton county, Ohio,
where he died September 24, 1858. His wife, Sally (Adams) Crosby,
born October 17, 1802, at Hartwick, New York, was the mother of
four children, three of whom are now living. Their names are as
follows: Mary, born September 14, 1824, who became the wife of
Anson Curtis, and died in October, 1890, aged sixty-six years. Martha,
born November 25, 1829, who resides in Minnesota, is the widow of
William Fullerton, who was a veteran of the civil war. Lucia, above
mentioned as the wife of Philip Hull, resided in Ohio until she was
fifteen years of age ; the following two years she was a resident of
Oneida county. New York, after which she returned to Ohio where she
taught school two terms. Sarah, born January 14, 1840, is the wife
of David Aton, a resident of Ohio, where he follows the occupation of
farmer ; he is a veteran of the civil war.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 79
Six children were born to Philip and Lucia (Crosby) Hull,
namely: i. William P., mentioned hereinafter. 2. Mary E., born
January 25, 1855, died July 7, i860. 3. Charles J., mentioned at
length hereinafter. 4. George E., mentioned hereinafter. 5. Fred R.,
born June 11, 1862, died September 23, 1884, at twenty years of age.
6. An infant who died at the age of three weeks. Philip Hull, father
of these children, accompanied his son, Dr. Charles J. Hull, abroad in
the year 1885, and visited the old homestead in England, the trip
extending over a period of several months. He has also traveled ex-
tensively throughout different sections of the United States, thereby
gaining a vast amoimt of experience of men and places. He is a man
of wide reading and intelligence, and although beginning at the bottom
of the ladder, amid many discouragements, is today one of the sub-
stantial men of Jefferson county. He is of genial disposition, and the
stranger is always sure of a warm welcome and cordial hospitality at
the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Hull. Their portraits found on the adjoin-
ing pages of this work will, it is felt, be a source of gratification to
their many friends.
(V) Wilham P. Hull, eldest child of Philip and Lucia (Crosby)
Hull, was born October 7, 1855, in Westmortland, Oneida county, New
York, and was in his seventeenth year when he came with his parents
to West Carthage. He attended the public schools of that village, and
a select school at Clinton, New York. Since then he has been almost
continuously associated with his father in farming and business opera-
tions. Since 1890 he has operated a greenhouse at West Carthage,
growing vegetables chiefly for local markets, and is also an extensive
dealer in fruits. He owns a small farm in Orleans county, on which
are two thousand trees bearing various kinds of fruit, and he buys
and sells the products of other growers. He is a Republican in politics,
a village trustee, and a member of the West Carthage Fire Department.
He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Foresters and the Car-
thage Grange, in both of which organizations he has held official
positions.
On December i, 18S0, Mr. William P. Hull was married to Ella A.
Clark, who was born in Lowville, daughter of Orrin S. and Hannah
(PhiHips) Clark, the latter a daughter of Daniel Phillips, who lived to
the age of one hundred and two years. Mr. and Mrs. Hull have a
daughter, Lucia Ella Hull, born August i, 1888.
(V) Charles J. Hull, M. D., second son of Philip and Lucia
so GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
(Crosby) Huli, was torn June 2, 1857, near the village of Madison,
Madison county, New York, and was thirteen years of age when the
family settled at West Carthage. His primary education was supplied
by the public schools, and he pursued a business course at Rochester,
New York. Having decided to abandon a commercial career to become
a healer of ills, he studied medicine at the Eclectic Medical College of
the City of New York, from which he was graduated in 188 1. He
began practicing medicine at Carthage, but soon removed to Croghan,
New York, where he remained two years, and subsequently spent six
years in his native town of Madison, practicing his profession and
meeting with success. In 1885 he went to Europe, accompanied by his
father, and pursued a course in therapeutics in the London hospitals,
thus adding to his established efficiency as a physician. Since 1887
he has been located in West Carthage, and his practice extends over a
wide expanse in the surrounding country, in addition to a handsome
office business. As a physician and citizen, he is highly regarded in
the community. He is a member of the State and National Eclectic
Medical Societies. He was formerly a member of the Board of Censors.
He now holds membership in the Ivnights of Pythias and the Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks. Though not a politician, he takes
an intelligent interest in the progress of his country and supports his
principles by voting for Republican candidates. He has served in the
capacity of health officer for the past seven years, and was recently re-
appointed to serve until the year 1908. He attends religious worship
at the Presbyterian church.
Dr. Hull was married May 2, 1882, to Isabel Elizabeth Monroe,
a great-granddaughter of General Moreau, who was active in and ren-
dered important service to the American colonies in the Revolutionary
struggle. With his wife and seven sons he settled in Canada, where
the name was changed to Monroe. One of his sons, Michael Monroe,
long a resident of Carthage, was a tanner by occupation, and died in
Croghan. Lewis, son of Michael Monroe, was born in Carthage, Sep-
tember 23, 1834, and died December 11, 1901, at Pierrepont Manor,
where he spent his last twenty years. At fourteen years of age Lewis
Monroe went to Watertown, and was employed as clerk in a store,
but soon abandoned that pursuit to become a blacksmith, in which occu-
pation he achieved success. After conducting shops at Ellisburg, Adams
and Fayetteville, he settled at Pierrepont Manor, where he operated a
wagon shop. He was a well-read man. and was very active in the
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 81
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His parents designed to have
him enter the priesthood, but this plan was distasteful to him, so he
ran away from home and made his own way, as indicated by the history
of his career. His first wife, Elizabeth San Juel, was a native of Canada,
and died in 1875. tie subsequently married Arvilla Beemis, a widow,
who died in 1888. Four of his seven children survive, namely: Henry,
the eldest, resides in California; William resides at Los Angeles, same
state; Isabel Elizabeth, aforementioned as the wife of Dr. Charles J.
Hull; and Frederick Monroe, a resident of Pierrepont Manor.
(V) George E. Hull, third son of Philip and Lucia (Crosby)
Hull, was born July 20, 1859. He attended Carthage high school,
where he obtamed an excellent English education, and subsequently
graduated from a commercial college in the city of Rochester, New
York. After serving as clerk in a store in Carthage, he entered the New
York Eclectic Medical College, from which he graduated in 1881. He
practiced his profession m Carthage until a severe illness overtook him,
which was the rc^sult of excessive work. He died at his home in Car-
thage, August 22, 1884, at the age of twenty-five years.
George E. Hull married Ella L. Caswell, of Carthage, New York,
daughter of Osmond and Maria Caswell. Mr. and Mrs. George E.
Hull were the parents of one son, George Daniel, born February 21,
1884. He graduated from the school at Pulaski, and in 1902 entered
the University at Buffalo. New York, from which institution he grad-
uated with high honors in 1904. During the vacation period of his
two years college course he was actively connected with the Rogers
Pharmacy of Watertown. New York, and on the completion of his
studies went to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he is engaged in the drug
business.
BABCOCK. This name is an old and honored one in Westerly,
Rhode Island, where the family has dwelt for more than two and one-
fourth centuries. Among those conspicuous in the colonial period were :
Dr. Joshua Babcock, of Westerly, who was a major general in the mi-
litia and chief justice ot the supreme court of Rhode Island; Colonel
Henry Babcock, a participant in five campaigns of the old French war
and an officer of the Revolution, who in the early part of that struggle
was in command of the forces at Newport ; and Rev. Stephen Babcock,
a distinguished divine and "New Light" leader. The name as it came
from England was spelled Eadcock, and bearers of that name are still
82 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
numerous in England, where four coats-of-arms are found, belonging
to the family in different localities.
(I) James Babcock, the progenitor of -the Westerly family, was
born in 1612, and died in 1679. He is first of record in New England
at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1642. He settled his family in Wes-
terly in 1662, being among the first settlers in that town. James Bab-
cock was a prominent citizen in both towns and acted in various capa-
cities as the agent or governor of the inhabitants. Both Massachusetts
and Connecticut clamied jurisdiction over Westerly, which then in-
cluded the present towns of Charlestown, Hopkinton and Richmond,
and the settlers led strenuous lives in defending their lands from tres-
passers, especially those from Connecticut, which colony did not finally re-
linquish claims until 1728. James Babcock was twice married. His first
wife, Sarali, bore him four children, and died about 1665. His second
wife, Elizabeth, married after his death, September 22, 1679, William
Johnson, and settled in the adjoining town of Stonington, Connecticut.
His children were : James, John, Job, Mary, Nathaniel, Joseph and Eliz-
abeth.
(II) John Babcock, son of James and Sarah, was born at Ports-
mouth, in 1644. He married Mary, daughter of George and Elizabeth
(Hazard) Lawton. Tradition says that they eloped from Newport and
settled among die friendly Indians on the east bank of Pawcatuck river,
before the land had been purchased from the Indians or any movement
made toward settling it. The fact that he was only eighteen years old
when the lands were surveyed and first settled would seem to prove this
untrue. He and his father were among the first eighteen selected by the
colony of Newport to go upon and occupy these lands in March, 1662,
then only recently purchased from the Indians. The town records show
that in the apportionment, made in 1669 he received the twenty-seventh
lot. His homestead near Avondale is still occupied by a lineal descend-
ant. He served with the Connecticut militia in King Philip's war, most
of the inhabitants of Westerly having fled to the island of Rhode Island
at that time, and was in the "Great Swamp Fight." He was deputy to
the general court in 1682 and 1684. He died early in 1685, and the
inventory of hi? personal property placed its value at seven hundred and
ninety pounds and three shillings. His widow married, April 21, 1698,
Erasmus Babbitt, and died November 8, 171 1, in \\'esterly. John Bab-
cock's children were : James, Ann. Mary, John. Job, George, Elihu,
Robert, Joseph and Oliver.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 83
(III) Captain John Babcock, second son of John and Mary, was
born about 1668, m Westerly, was admitted a freeman February 13,
1689, and died there Marcli 28, 1746. He lived about two miles east
of Pawcatuck bridge, in a house afterward used as a hotel by Sylvester
Gavitt. His wife Mary was his cousin, daughter of William and Mary
(Babcock) Champlin (or Champlain), He served the town in many
responsible capacities — assessor, clerk, fence viewer, surveyor, probate
clerk, councilman and rate-maker; was town clerk from 1706 to 1732,
when, he was succeeded by his son, William ; was deputy to the general
assembly in 1695, 1702, 1713, '15, '17, '18, '20, '23-4-5-6; was justice
of the peace from 1730 to 1737; and captain of militia in 1709, 'il,
'15, '18-19-20-21 and '23. On May 19, 1710, with eleven others, he
united in the purchase of 2,684 acres of land from the colony, known as
the "Maxson purchase.'' His children were all bom in Westerly, as
follows; John, May 4, 1701 ; Ichabod, November 21, 1703; Stephen,
May 2, 1706; William, April 15, 1708; Amy, February 8, 1712-3; Mary,
July 23, 1716; Ann, September 14, 1821.
(IV) William, youngest son of John (2) and Mary (Champlin)
Babcock. was born April 15, 1708, in Westerly, and died there January
15, 1750-1. He was married at Seabrook, Connecticut (now Saybrook),
August II, 1730, to Sarah Denison, of Mayflower descent, born Jan-
uary 6, 1710, in Stonington, Connecticut (see Denison). After his
death she married Stephen Chaucer, of Seabrook, being his fourth wife.
William Babcock continued to serve as town clerk from the time he suc-
ceeded his father in 1732 until his death. He was a farmer, justice of
the peace, and represented the town in 1744. His children, born in
Westerly, were; William, May 14, 1731 ; Joshua, December 2, 1732;
Christopher, September 12, 1734; Sarah, October 17, 1736; Elijah, July
19, 1738; Elias, July 28, 1740; Phmeas, September 14, 1747.
I. John Howland, born 1592, came to Plymouth on the "May-
flower" in 1620. His wife, Elizabeth Tilly, born 1607, came in the
same vessel with her parents, John Tilly and wife. 2. Desire, daugh-
ter of John and Elizabeth Howland, married Captain John Gorham in
1643. The last-named was a son of Ralph Gorham, was born in Eng-
land, and baptized at Benefield, Northamptonshire, January 28, 1621-2.
He came to Massachusetts before 1743, and was captain of an expedi-
tion against the Mount Hope Indians in 1675, dying the following year.
3. Mercy, daughter of Captain John and Desire Gorham, born January
20, 1659, married George Denison. junior, and died September 24, 1725.
84 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
The last-named was the fourth child of George and Ann (Borodell)
Denison, born in New London, 1653, and reared in Stonington (see
Denison). He died December 27, 171 1. His fourth child, Samuel,
born 1685. in Stonington, married Mary (Lay), widow of Christopher
Miner, who bore him ten children. 5. The eldest of these, Sarah, be-
came the wife of \\'illiam Babcock, as above related.
(V) Christopher, third son and child of William and Sarah Bab-
cock. was born September 12, 1734, in Westerly, and died March 15,
181 5, in Smyrna. New York. In 1754 he married his step-sister, Me-
hitable Chalker (sometimes written Chaucer or Chalkens), who was
born September 9. 1733, in Saybrook, daughter of Stephen and Mehit-
able (Chapman) Chalker, the former a descendant in the fourth gener-
ation of General Alexander Chalker, one of the original proprietors of
the town of Saybrook, who was killed in the Narragansett war. Chris-
topher Babcock owned and occupied a farm near the seashore in Wes-
terly, and was admitted a freeman by the general assembly in May,
T758. He was justice of the peace in 1769, "79 and '83. In 1767 he was
a lieutenant in Captain Champlain's train band of Westerly militia. His,
wife died in 1810, and diree years later, he accompanied his youngest
son to Smyrna, New York, where he was buried. His children were:
William. Amy, Joshua, Christopher, Sarah, Eunice, Jeremiah, Asa,
Wealthy, Stephen, Eiias. Phineas and Asa (2).
(VI) Jeremiah, son of Christopher and Mehitabie Babcock, was
born November 23, 1766, in Westerly, and died April 9, 1847, in Cham-
pion, New York, in his eighty-first year. He was married January
■^',"1792. to Amy, daughter of William Angell. She was born April 4,
1766, in Exeter. New York, and died February 17, 1835, in Champion.
For many years he lived in the southeastern part of Madison county, this
state, evidently in different towns, at different times, as his children ap-
pear to have been born in three towns. He was an early resident of
Champion, and had a farm not far from the center of that town. His
children were ten in number, Christopher, born October 13, 1792, mar-
ried Susan Crandall, and (2) Janetle McNeil, and lived on a farm near
his father in Qiampion, where he died June 28, 1869. Elias, August
20, 1794. married Sarah Angell, was a farmer in Champion, where he
died March 11, 1859. Joshua is the subject of a following paragraph.
Drusilla, September 2, 1797, married James R. Perigo. and moved to
Illinois, where she died. James, February 5, 1799, died young. Am-
brose Spencer, December 2, 1800, died December 28, 1891, in Champion,
i/fT^zl^eLU^:^
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 85
where he settled about 1824. James, February 24, 1803, died young.
Jeremiah, November 9, 1804, married JuHa Francis, was a blacksmith
at Fe!t"s Mills and Cartnage, dying at the latter place April 9, 1847.
Amy A., November 23, 1806, married Benejah Lewis and lived in Den-
mark, New York, and died March 24, 1894, in Champion. William P.
is the subject of a succeeding paragraph.
(VII; Joshua Angell Babcock, third son and child of Jeremiah
and Amy, was born February 10, 1796. in Hamilton, New York, and
died March 23, 1843, s* Felt's Mills, this county. He was married at
Hamilton, July 24, 1820, to Laura, daughter of Chandler Holmes, born
September 2, 1793, in Hartland, Vermont. She passed away December
29, 1845. ^t Felt's Mills. About 1822 Joshua A. Babcock moved from
IMadison county, this state, to Felt's Mills, where he engaged in mercan-
tile business and there ended his days. He inherited the sturdy traits
for which his ancestors were noted, and was a successful business man.
He received a fair education and engaged in teaching for some years
in early life. For some time before his death his eldest son was a partner
with him in mercantile business and lumbermg, and much of the care of
his affairs was surrendered to the latter owing to failing health of the
senior. Joshua A. Babcock was a prominent member of the Methodist
church at Felt's Mills, and also served as justice of the peace. His chil-
dren were: Henry H., mentioned farther in following paragraphs;
Amy, died in infancy; Perley J., born August 31, 1836, died August
24, 1S63; Martha L., died at one year old; George D., born October 6,
1834, resides in Mexico, New York.
(VIII) Henry Holmes Babcock, eldest child of Joshua A. and
Laura (Holmes) Babcock. was born March 28, 1821. in Hamilton, New
York, and died November 30, 1903. at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Anson R. Flower, in New York. He had few early advantages and re-
ceived his education in the common schools at Felt's Mills. On attain-
ing man's estate, he engaged in the mercantile and lumber business with
his father at Felt's Mills, where he operated a saw mill, marketing his
product in Albany. In 1842 he moved to Watertown, where he pur-
chased a parcel of land upon which he built houses for sale. This en-
terprise was of service in building up the city and yielded satisfactory
returns, and in 1845 be invested some of his capital in the manufac-
ture of wooden pumps. These found a ready market in this section and
the business grew to large dimensions. In 1878 he turned his attention
to the manufacture of wagons and buggies, and the energy and execu-
86 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
ti\'e ability which had built up his previous undertakings soon began
to tell in the new field. As fast as his sons arrived at the proper age, after
being carefully educated and trained in business methods, they were made
partners in the business and were of material aid in extending it. Four
years after the establishment of this undertaking, during which it had
been conducted under the style of H. H. Babcock & Sons, it had taken
a prominent place among the industries of Watertown and attracted the
attention of capitalists. In 1882 a corporation was formed under the
name of H. H. Babcock Company, with a capital of one hundred thou-
sand dollars, the incorporators being Mr. Babcock and his three sons —
Herbert P., George H. and Fred W. Babcock — and Roswell P. and An-
son R. Flower. A large factory building was erected at this time, and
constant additions have been found necessary, as the trade increased,
until the plant now comprises five large shops and seven storage build-
ings. Honest workmanship upon honest material have given confidence
in the product of this establishment to the trade, and the growth in de-
mand for its product continues to extend wherever high-class carriages
are in use, the market extending around the world. Henry H. Babcock
was made president of the company upon its organization and so con-
tinued unttl his death. There can be no doubt that its growth was due
chiefly to his genius for developing industries. He was always a friend
to his employes, with w'hom he held frequent converse, and he was
looked to by them as a father, often aiding in settling their diiTerences
and difficulties and ever maintaining a sincere interest in their welfare.
As a consecjuence there were no strikes in his shops, growth and devel-
opment has been steady and continuous, and the output of 1904 prom-
ises to reach seven thousand carriages. Three hundred and fifty men
are steadily employed, and there are no dull seasons. The growth of this
great concern and its character continue to be a source of local pride.
Mr. Babcock was one of nature's noblemen, kind-hearted, genial
and frank, and was respected and loved in every relation of life. He
served as supervisor several terms and as mayor of the city. He was one
of the most earnest and valued communicants of Trinity (Protestant
Episcopal) church, and was one of it? wardens for thirty years. A Dem-
ocrat in politics, he did not carry his partisanship to unreasonable ex-
tremes, and made no enemies among those who opposed him politically.
Mr. Babcock was married, November 25, 1841, to Eliza Wheeler,
daughter of Joel B. Wheeler, of Felt's Mills. ]Mrs. Babcock died in
June. 19C0. Of her ei.shl children, six are now living: ]\Iarion R. is
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 87
the wife of L. O. Woodruff, of Cape Vincent, New York (see L. O.
Woodruff) ; George H. is the subject of a following paragraph. Ida
married Anson R. Flower, and resides much of the time in New York
city. Adella B. is the wnfe of Richard S. Hungerford, residing in Wa-
tertown. Fred W. is mentioned at length hereinafter. Frank Ernest
is assistant secretary of the H. H. Babcock Compsny, and resides in
Watertown, a bachelor.
(IX) Herbert Perley Babcock, eldest son of Henry H. and Eliza
Babcock, lived to take an active part in the organization of the H. H.
Babcock Company, but his promising young life was soon thereafter
ended. He was born November 24, 1845, in Watertown, and finished
his education at Geneva, New York. As soon as he left school he be-
came associated with his father in business, and so continued until his
death, in his thirty-ninth year. Upon the formation of the H. H. Bab-
cock Company in 1S84 he was elected secretary, but failing health com-
pelled him to resign the duties of that position to his assistant almost
immediately. During the last three years of his life he traveled much
in hope of recuperatmg his health, but the end came April 24, 1884, at
Riverside, California. He was among the faithful communicants of
Trinity church, and was widely admired and respected for his kind and
amiable disposition. A perfect gentleman in every relation of life, he
enjoyed the regard of all classes of people, and his early demise was a
cause of grief to many and a cruel blow to his family. Of studious and
industrious habits, he was much devoted to his family, and gave close
attention to the business affairs with which he was identified, and was
but fairly launched upon a most successful business career when fail-
ing health compelled him to abandon all activities.
Mr. Babcock was married, October 14, 1875, to Rose Monroe, of
Sangerfield, New York, a daughter of John and Marietta (Priest)
Monroe. A son was born to this union April 21, 1879, ^"d christened
Henry Herbert. He graduated at Yale College in 1901, entered the law
school of Columbia University the following year, and graduated in
the class of 1904. He was admitted to the bar in 1903. Mrs. Babcock
because the wife of Joseph Mullin. whom she survives (see MuUin).
(IX) George Henry, second son of H. H. Babcock, was born Octo-
ber 25, 1852, in Watertown. He was educated in the public schools of
the city, and in 1870 became a clerk in the private bank of Wooster
Sherman, in which position he continued nearly two years. About the
close of 1 87 1 he was taken into his father's business, and has been treas-
88 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
urer and manager of tlie H. H. Babcock Company since its organiza-
tion. He is connected witli otiier financial enterprises of the city, and
has ahvays been prominent m its social life. When a young man he was
foreman of Company No. 3 of the local fire department, a service of
which he may justly be proud. He was one of the organizers of the
Watertown Savings Bank, and has been a trustee of that institution
since its beginning. He was one of the organizers and first trustees of
the Watertown Building Association, and is a trustee of the Flower Me-
morial Library. Long time a member of the Trinity church, he was one
of the founders and first president of the New City Hospital, and was for
a time president of the Union club.
His wife, who was Alice L. Webster, daughter of Levi Webster,
of St. Albans, Vermont, is a representative of old New England fami-
lies. Her mother, Ellen L. Meech, belonged to one of the first and most
di.stinguislied families of Chittenden county, Vermont.
(LX) Frederick William Babcock, third son of H. H. Babcock,
is a native of Wateito\\n, born April 26, 1S58, and a true exponent of
the character for which this family is noted, being well known for even
temper, keen perception, business probity, energetic application and
genial nature. His primary education was supplied by the public schools
of his native city, and was supplemented by a course at Hamilton Pre-
paratory School and at St. John's Military School at Manlius, New York,
from which latter institution he was graduated in 1876. For a year or
more following he was a clerk in the hardware store of Belknap and
Phelps, of Watertown, and was then admitted to partnership with his
father, whose able assistant he continued thereafter. Upon the incor-
poration of the H. H. Babcock Company he was elected assistant secre-
tary, his eldest brother, Herbert P. Babcock, being secretary. The last-
named was obliged to go away in search of health almost immediately,
and the duties of secretary have been performed by the subject of this
paragraph ever since. He has borne well his part in building up the
great business of the concern, which is still growing, as a result of the
close application and business ability of its managers. Since the death
of the elder brother, Frederick W. Babcock, he has been secretary.
He is also well known in the social life of the town, being one of
the organizers of the Union Club, of which he was the second president.
He is a Knight Templar Mason, affiliating with Watertown Command-
ery, and is also a member of Media Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
in \\hich he has served as chief rabban. For nianv vears he has been
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 8y
a communicant of Trinity church and, hke all of his family, gives
allegiance to the Democratic party in politics. He has served many times
as inspector of election, has been secretary and treasurer of the Black
River Power Association since its organization (and which was incor-
porated in September, 1S94), and is one of the four commissioners of
water power on Black river, acting under authority of the state, having
been appointed by Governor Flower when the law creating this commis-
sion went into effect in 1894, and successively appointed by succeeding
governors. He is one of the original members of Company C, Thirty-
fifth Battalion National Guard of New York, and served the required
period as a commissioned officer of the same.
Mr. Babcock was married, September 27, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth
Haas, who was born in New York city, January 7, i860, daughter of
Frederick Haas, of German ancestry. She died February 28, 1895, and
left a son and daughter. Frederick Howard, born March 4, 1887, is
now a midshipman in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis,
Maryland, and making good progress toward promotion. Alice Eliz-
abeth, August 31, 1888, is a student at the Watertown high school.
On December 2, 1897, Mr. Babcock was married to Miss Ida M.
Willey, who was born Ji.ine 12, i860, in Syracuse, and is an active par-
ticipant in the work of Trinity parish.
(VII) William Powers Babcock, youngest child of Jeremiah and
Amy (Angell) Babcock, born September 2, 1809, in Exeter, New York,
received his education in the common schools and came to Champion
with his father, succeeding to the paternal farm below Champion Hud-
dle, where he died. A cheese factory now marks the location of the
farm. He attended the Methodist church, at first in Champion village
and later on the Felt's Mills road. A Democrat in politics, he filled sev-
eral of the town offices, such as highway commissioner and assessor.
He was married, November 25, 1830, to Roxy Lewis, a native of Cham-
pion, daughter of Esquire Eseck Lewis, a highly respected citizen, long
time a magistrate of that town. The children of William P. and Roxy
Babcock were: William Augustus, now a farmer between Great Bend
and Champion ; Esther, who married Samuel McNeil, and subsequently
Elisha Greenfield, and died in Champion ; Lysander W., now a resident
of West Carthage, and Elizur and Eliza, twins. The former of these
is a resident of Syracuse, and the latter died at the age of twenty years.
(VIII) Lysander Whitfield Babcock was born March 17, 1836,
in the to\\n of Champion, where he grew up. Though his education was
90 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
supplied only by the common school of the neighborhood, he is a capable
business man and has been successful as a farmer. He cared for his
parents in their old age, then purchased a farm, which he continued to till
until 1885, when he bought a house on Bridge street, West Carthage,
and moved there to reside. Since that time he has engaged in buying
and shipping cattle and other stock to the city markets, with satisfactory
results. With his family he attends the Congregational church, in which
he has been a trustee a number of years, and is a Democrat in politics.
He has served several years as a trustee of the village of West Carthage,
and also as president. This fact arose not from ambition for political
honors, but from a disposition to fulfill his duty as a citizen.
Mr. Babcock was married, November 10, 1857, to Miss Mary
Jane Merrill, who was born January i, 1837, in Champion, a daughter
of William and Abigail (Locklin) Merrill (of whom sketch is found
elsewhere in this work), both representatives of pioneer families of
Champion. Of six children born of this marriage, the second, Hubert
H., born December 19, 1863, died May 5, 1864. The others are: Will-
iam Alfred, a farmer of Champion, father of one child, Mildred E. ;
Nettie, wife of William Phillips, of Battle Creek, Michigan, and they
have one child, Ruth M ; Lida M. and' Lizzie A. (twins), the former
now the wife of Reuben Chaufty, and they have one child, Wilma A.,
and the latter the widow of Thomas C. Williams, all of West Carthage;
and Alfreda (Mrs. Edgar Harrington), of Carthage, who is the mother
of one child, Gerald L.
(IX) William Alfred Babcock was born February 7, i860, on his
father's farm in the western part of the town of Champion. When he
was eight years old his father mo\'ed to the farm which he now owns,
east of Champion Huddle. He attended the district school at the Hud-
dle until he was seventeen years of age, giving his ti'me in the summer
season to such duties as fall upon the farmer's son. Agriculture has al-
ways claimed his attention as a means of occupation and support, and he
has achieved success through industry and intelligent application. After
tilling the present farm for some years he bought one hundred and
eighty acres of it in 1895, and has rented it since 1899. A dairy embrac-
ing about thirty cows is kept upon the place. He is a member of Great
Bend Grange, and attends the Congregational church at West Carthage.
He is a Democrat, but no politician,
Mr. Babcock was married, October i, 1884, to Miss Theresa Wag-
ner, who was born in New York City, a daughter of Henry and Eliza-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 91
beth Wagner, who came from Germany and now reside with a son at
Canastota, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have a daughter, Mil-
dred Ehzabeth, now fourteen years old.
(VIII) William Augustus Babcock, son of William P. Babcock,
was born July 2, 1832, on his father's farm below Champion Huddle,
where he grew to manhood, and continued at home until he was twenty-
five years old. In boyhood he attended the district school, and subse-
quently was a student in a select school taught by John Winslow at
Watertown. Being industrious and economical he was enabled at the
age of twenty-five years to engage in business on his own account. ( io-
ing to Carthage he purchased the clothing business of H. D. Brown,
which he conducted five years in partnership with Sylvester Fritz, un-
der the title of Babcock and Fritz. At the end of that period John \V.
Clark purchased the interest of Mr. Fritz, and for eight and one-half
years the business was conducted under the style of Babcock & Clark.
Selling his interest to Mr. Clark, who still continues the business, Mr.
Babcock retired from mercantile affairs. In 1875 he bought seventy-
four acres of land where he now lives, between Champion village and
the Huddle, and has since made his home there. Until recently he gave
his attention to its cultivation, and it is now managed by his son. A
dairy of fifteen cows is maintained, including fine Ayrshire and Durham
grades. During his residence in Carthage, Mr. Babcock was a vestry-
man of Grace Episcopal church, and has served in the same capacity in
St. John's church of Champion, with which he holds membership. He
is a member of Great Bend Grange, and has always been a Democrat,
but has steadfastly refused to be a candidate for town offices.
He was married, March, 1857, to Emeline O. Mott, who died
March 8, 1858. On the 23d of January, 1862, Mr. Babcock was mar-
ried to Adelia W. Wright, who was born November 16, 1831, in Dur-
ham, Greene county. New York, a daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda
(Dann) Wright. Her mother died when she was eight years old, and
she was reared by an elder sister, wife of George S. Whitney, in Cham-
pion. A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Babcock and named Eva E.,
died when eleven years old. Their son (IX) Frederick A., resides with
his parents. He was born April 30, 1865, and married Caroline W.
Knowles, of Champion. They have no children.
FREDERICK JESSE BABCOCK, superintendent of the Dexter
Sulphite Mill, is a native of the town of Brownville, born at Dexter,
June 13, 1871. His ancestors were among the founders of the colony
92 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
of Rhode Island, and their liistory is exhaustively treated in this work.
Under the head of Babcock will be found an account of the first two
generations, and this article will proceed from the third.
(Ill) George, sixth child and fourth son of John and Mary (Law-
ton) Babcock, was born 1673, in Westerly, Rhode Island, and died May
I, 1756, at South Kingston, same colony, in his eighty-third year. He
was married, November 28, 1694, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and
Content Hall, 01 that town, where she died May 8, 1762, in her ninety-
first year. Tradition says that soon after his marriage he sought to
give his wife a practical illustration of the happy results attained when
husband and wile pull together. Tlirowing a long rope over his house
he remained at one end and sent his wife to pull the rope over from
the other end. This she essayed in vain to do several times. He then
called her to his side, and asked her to help him pull it over — a very
easy task under the circumstances. A year and one-half after his mar-
riage his mother gave him a tract of land in Westerly, which he sold to
his brother ten years later. June 28, 1709, he was one of twenty-seven
who purchased a large tract from the colony of Rhode Island, in King-
ston and Westerly, known as the "Shannock purchase." His portion
was laid out in Westerly, in what was afterward Hopkinton and Rich-
mond. He was deputy to the general court in 171 6 and 1721, and served
many years as justice of the peace, being frequently called upon to per-
form the marriage ceremony. In June, 1707, he was baptized and joined
the Seventh Day Baptist church of Newport and Westerly, and his wife
joined the same church July 20 following. All his life he was a prom-
inent member of that society, and left it a legacy of three hundred
pounds on his death. His will disposed of several farms and a large
amount of personal property, including thousands of pounds in money.
His wife received his "negro gall. Peg," and his son David, beside the
homestead farm, a "negro man, Bristo, and woman, Geney." Upon her
death his widow left eight children, sixty-one grandchildren, and in all
140 descendants, all of whom lived in the colony, except one grand-
daughter and her children.
(IV) David, second son and third child of George and Elizal)eth
Babcock, was born December 22, 1700, in Westerly, Rhode Island, and
died in South Kingston, 1783, like his father, in his eighty-third year.
On February 24, 1730, he was married by his father, to Dorcas, daugh-
ter of Daniel and Dorcas (Gardner) Brown, who was born May 23,
171 V in Wcstorlv. and died December 18, 1798, in South Kingston.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 93
His will mentions ten children. To each of the daughters he gave per-
sonal property ; to each of his sons a farm, and to the son of a deceased
son a farm. His wife received, among other personal property, two
negro women, "Phyllis" and "Coocoo." His silver tankard was re-
served for his oldest son, the widow receiving all the rest of the family
plate. This tankard has been preserved and is now the property of
Mrs. Horace E. Horton of Clucago, a daughter of George and Emily
(Brown) Babcock.
(V) David, eldest child of David and Dorcas Babcock, was born
April lo, 1734, at South Kingston. He was married, at Charlestown,
March 30, 1757, to Sarah Perry, daughter of Samuel and Suzannah
(Hazzard) Perry, born at Charlestown, March 30, 1738. Her sister
married Elisha Babcock, an uncle of David. The last-named was ad-
mitted freeman in May, 1756, at North Kingston, and in 1758 was en-
sign in Captain John Wilson's company of South Kingston militia. He
became a sailor, and late in life went to Otsego county, New York,
with his sons. He had nine children.
(VI) David, eldest child of David and Sarah (Perry) Babcock,
was bom May 17, 1760, in South Kingston, and died November 17, 1831.
He was married, at Sharon, Connecticut, to Sarah, daughter of John and
Deborah (Knickerbocker) Beardsley. She was born September 2, 1765,
at Sharon, and died in 1836, in Ames, New York. According to the
family records David Babcock was a revolutionary soldier. His family
included six children.
(VH) Jesse, fifth child and third son of David and Sarah (Beards-
ley) Babcock, was born October 16, 1805, in Marcy, New York, and
died December 8, 1885, in Dexter, this county. He was married at
New Hartford, Ne-w York, September 26, 1831, to Maria Morgan, who
died June 14, 1854, in Dexter. She was the mother of his five chil-
dren. He was an early resident of Brownville, where he bought a site
and operated a flour mill and feed store. He also engaged in farming
and established and operated a lime kiln. He was an industrious and
energetic man and pursued sucessfully several lines of efifort. For his
second wife, Mr. Babcock married Sarah A. Baker, a native of Dexter,
and a lady of superior education and refinement. She survived her hus-
band and died m 1904, in Salem, Oregon. Two of his children are now
living — Elizabeth, the wife of Sanford Herrick, of San Francisco, Cal-
ifornia, and William, a resident of Denver, Colorado.
(Vni) George, second son and fourth child of Jesse and Maria
^4 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Babcock. was born January 3, 1844, in Dexter, and died there in 1879.
He was reared and educated in Dexter, and in early life became con-
nected with the flour and feed business, and in the operation of the mill
for grinding the same. He continued to conduct it for a number of years,
but at the time of the Civil war put aside business affairs in order to
serve his country, becoming a private of the Tenth New York Heavy
Artillery. He was with this command until the close of the w^ar and
participated in the battle of Gettysburg, one of the most sanguinary
engagements of that great conflict. Following the close of hostilities
he returned to Dexter and assumed the management of the mill, which
he continued to operate in connection with the conduct of his farms.
He also became a breeder and a dealer in high-grade horses, and this
branch of iiis business proved profitable, as did the conduct of his two
farming properties, each of which comprised fifty acres. He was an
active and enterprising business man, but died at the comparatively
early age of thirty-eight years. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Lenora Fluno, was born in Dexter in 1848. Her father, David
Fluno, v/as one of the early settlers here, active in community affairs
and highly respected because of his genuine worth in business and pri-
vate life. George Babcock served as a custom house officer for a num-
ber of years and was a well known member of the Grand Army of the
Republic. Mrs. Babcock still survives and is now living in Dexter.
In their family were three children : Frederick J., Charles and Mary.
The daughter *is now the wife of William Hicks, of Pennsylvania.
Charles is a foreman of the Hopper-Morgan tablet works at Glen Park.
Frederick J. Babcock, born at Dexter, June 13, 1871, spent his early
boyhood days m his parents' home in Dexter, pursued his studies in
the public schools and entered upon his business career as a salesman in
the store of Clark Brothers, hardware dealers of Dexter, wdiere he re-
mained for three years. He was afterward with O. M. and G. W.
Wood, of the same place, for five years. He then entered the sulphite
mill, begining at the lowest department, working upon the screens.
By his industry and manifest ability he has worked his way upw-ard
through all departments, until he became superintendent in 1901. He
now has one hundred and fifty men under his personal supervision, and
his entire attention is directed to the careful conduct of the interests of
the departments. In his relations with tho.se wdio sei-ve under him he
is most just and considerate and, therefore, has the entire confidence and
good will of all. Mr. Babcock is a Repul>lican in political views, and
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 95
socially is connected with the Red Men and other fraternal organizations
in Dexter. His church relationship is with the Presbyterian denomina-
tion.
In 1895 Mr. Babcock was married to Miss Ada Schwartz, who was
born in Pillar Point in 1S79, a daughter of Adolphus Schwartz, who
was a teacher and later a carpenter, and was born in St. Lawrence
county, New York, in 1845. He married Mary Carpenter, who was
bom in 184S, and they became the parents of six children, five of whom
are now living: Alda, the wife of DeWitt Sturtevant, of Croton, New
York ; William, a prominent physician of Croton ; Mrs. Babcock ; Rose,
the wife of William Ross, of Watertown, New York; and Harold, who
is living with his sister in Croton. Of this family Tilly has passed away.
To Mr. and Mrs. Babcock has been born but one child, George Adol-
phus, born August 11, 1899.
MERRILL. From the earliest period of its settlement the name
of Merrill, of old colonial origin, has been identified with the history
of Jefferson county, and its members have borne their share of the bur-
dens in establishing civilization and in defense of the country when
threatened with disruption.
1. Nathaniel Merrill, the immigrant ancestor, was born in Eng-
land about 1610, and arrived on the Massachusetts coast in 1633-4. He
was one of the original proprietors and settlers (in 1635) of Newbury,
Massachusetts, v.'here he died March 16, 1655. His wife, Susannah, is
supposed to have been a daughter of Gregory Witterton, and sister of
Gregory Witterton, of Hartford. Connecticut. Having no heir, the latter
adopted her son John, and made him his heir. She married a second
time late in life, and died July 2, 1673, in Newbury.
2. John Merrill, son of Nathaniel, was born in 1635 in Newbury,
settled at Hartford in 1656, and died there July 18, 17 12. He was a
farmer, and tanner and currier by trade. In 1663 he married Sarah,
daughter of John and Margaret Waters, of Hartford.
3. Daniel, son of John and Sarah Merrill, was born June 15, 1673,
in Hartford, where he lived and died in 1750. January 18, 1698, he
married Susannah, daughter of John and Hannah (Boody) Pratt, of
Hartford, where she was born October 2, 1680.
4. Moses Merrill, son of Daniel and Susannah, was born December
25, 1702, at Hartford, and lived in West Hartford and Farmington, dy-
ing in the latter town (which adjoins West Hartford) August 4, 1776,
96 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
in his seventy-fourth year. He was married at West Hartford, his wife
being a Cook by name. By occupation he was a farmer.
5. Moses, son of Moses Merrill (i). was born about 1733 at West
Hartford, was a farmer there, and died there in 1796. His second
wife was Waitstill Heth, who was born about 1744. Their children
were: Samuel, born June 21, 1774, died at Sandisfield, Massachusetts.
Mary, February 29, 1776, married Samuel Rowley. Waitstill, June i,
1778, married Nicholas Lewis, of Champion, this county. Miner, Au-
gust 25, 1781, came to Champion in the spring of 1804. Moses Cook,
June 3, 1785. Elizabeth, 1790, died before she was ten years old.
6. Miner, son of Moses (2) and Waitstill Merrill, married Betsey
Cody, of Tolland, Connecticut, October 6, 1803, and the following
spring came to Champion from Connecticut, bringing his wife and house-
hold goods on a sled drawn by a yoke of oxen, with a horse in the lead.
Their children were Betsey, William, Waty, Mary Maria, Orson, Allen
and Albert A.
7. Orson Merrill, born September 16, 1809, in Champion, lived all
his life in that town. He was married. March 26. 1835, to Emeline
Fitts, who was born April 19, 181 1 and died July 19, 1880. He died
Febniary 16, 1896. Their children were Harlan O., Emily M., and Se-
ward W.
8. Seward W. Merrill, born November 22, 1850, is the only sur-
vivor of his father's children. He was married, October 7, 1885, to
Eva L. Martin, who was born February 16, i860, and died Decem-
ber 27, 1901. Their children are: Lucille Emily, born May i, 1887;
Vera Anna, September 4, 1891, and Emeline Charille, March 3, 1894.
Mr. Merrill has been very active in church and Sunday school work
and in the temperance cause. He is one of the handful of sterling souls
who maintain the organization of the Prohibition party in Champion
and the county. He was six years excise commissioner and ten years
president of the Champion Temperance Union. He has been the candi-
date of his party for supervisor, school commissioner, surrogate and
member of the assembly.
6. Moses Cook Merrill, son of Moses (2), was born June 3, i/'85,
in West Hartford, Connecticut, and came to Champion about 1804. He
settled one and one-half miles from the present village of Great Bend,
where he died in 1839. He married Philena Crandall, a daughter of
Abel and Elizabeth Crandall, early pioneers of Champion. After Mr.
Merrill's death his widow lived in Champion, where she died in 1856.
C^M-.^^ei^
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 97
Mr. Merrill was a member of the Baptist church. Of his fourteen chil-
dren, two died in infancy. A brief record of the others follows:
Waitstill married Wilder Reed, and died in the town of Philadel-
phia, near Sterlmgville. For history of the second see following para-
graph. Miner C. lived and died on the homestead, being supervisor of
the town at the time of his death. Samuel died in West Carthage.
Eliza died in Champion, unmarried, as did also Lucretia, the sixth. Sibyl
married Ira Sweet, and died at Lynhurst, Canada. Harriet died in
Hammond, St^ Lawrence county, while the wife of JosepTTtafevev^and
JohirTtKeTiext, also died there. Athelia became the wife of Rev. Jonathan
Dake, a Protestant Methodist clergyman, and now resides at Stam-
bough, Iowa. Mary Sophronia is Mrs. Samuel Phillips, of Hammond,
New York; now deceased. Eveline married Ronastus Sliter, and died
at Lynhurst, Canada.
7. Lawrence Cook Merrill, second child and eldest son of Moses
Ccok Merrill, was born in 181 1, in Champion, and died in that town
in November, 1849. He settled while a young man in Antwerp, at the
present Keene's Station, where he labored diligently to clear up and
develop a farm. He was on the way to prosperity when he was seriously
injured by a pair of wild steers while hauling a load of wood to a poor
man. He was never afterward able to straighten his limbs, and en-
dured much pain for a period of eleven years, until death ended his
sufferings. With the fortitude of a noble character he did not com-
plain, but bore his misery calmly, and went about any duties that he was
able to perform. Returning to Champion, he spent his last years
among friends. It was his wont when no conveyance was convenient
to walk to Great Bend to church, with his hands resting on his knees, in
a stooping position, bemg unable to walk erect. He was a faithful
member of the Baptist church, and affiliated with the Whig party in pol-
itics. He was married, in the spring of 1834, to Lovina Miller, who
was born on Martin street, near West Carthage, a daughter of Moses
and (Martin) Miller, natives of Vermont. The last-named
was a daughter of Captain Martin, a revolutionary soldier, who reached
the age of ninety-seven years. His wife attained the same age. Mr.
and Mrs. Merrill were the parents of two sons, Erwin Moses and Sam-
uel Lawrence.
8. Erwin Moses Merrill, eldest son of Lawrence M. Merrill, was
born October 16, 1836, in Antwerp, and was a small child when his
98 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
father died. He grew up in Champion, attending the district school
and Carthage Academy, and subsequently teaching school.
He enlisted in October, 1861, in Company I, Ninety-fourth Regi-
ment New York Volunteers, and was elected second lieutenant. After
tlie first battle of Bull Run, his weight being reduced from one hundred
and seventy to one hundred and seven pounds, he was incapacitated to
such a degree that it was advisable to resign in order to recuperate, and
this he did, September 13, 1862. While recovering his health he en-
tered General Casey's militai-y school in Philadelphia to perfect himself
in military science, and after his graduation he was commissioned by
President Lincoln, June 6, 1864, to a captaincy in the regular army.
Then occurred one of the strange coincidences of war. About the same
time Captain Merrill started for Washington, his brother, Dr. S. L.
Merrill, had departed for Nashville, Tennessee, expecting to obtain a
hospital appointment through the aid of an influential friend. While
en route Dr. Merrill met his friend, who was on his way north, and
who informed him that the desired position only awaited his arrival.
However, on reaching Nashville, Dr. Merrill found that the place had
been filled. In this discouragement he noticed, while passing down the
street, a sign. "Contract Surgeons Wanted," and he made his applica-
tion, passed the examination, and was assigned to the charge of a ward
in the hospital. Meantime his brother. Captain Merrill, who had re-
ported at Washmgton for assignment to duty, found himself appointed
to the command of Company K, Seventeenth Regiment United States
Infantry, and, to his great joy and surprise received an order to proceed
to Nashville, Tennessee. He at once wrote his brother that he was com-
ing, and on reaching his destination inquired the location of the hos-
pital, and was informed that it was "over near where the Seventeenth
(his own regiment) was encamped." As he passed along he saw his
brother standing in his tent door, reading the letter which the Captain
had sent him. Their mutual pleasure in thus meeting in indescribable.
The brothers were near each other during the remainder of the war.
The Seventeenth was then commanded by Colonel William R.
Shafter, who afterwards attained high rank, and distinguished him-
self during the Spanish-American war. Captain Merrill became Col-
onel Shaffer's favorite officer on account of his steady habits, exem-
plary conduct and entire reliability. At first the Captain was unpop-
ular with his brother officers because of his refusal to join them in their
carousals. Complaint being made to Colonel Shafter, he replied : "Oh,
First Presbyterian Clnirch, Waterto
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 101
well, Merrill doesn't drink as much whisky as the rest of you fellows,
but his company is the best drilled and equipped company in the regi-
ment." The feeling against him was soon dissipated, and Captain Mer-
rill became popular with his brother officers as soon as they discerned
that his conduct was a matter of principle and not priggishness. Decem-
ber 14 he was with General Steedman's division, and on the next day
participated in the splendid charge upon the rebel works at Nashville.
In this desperate engagement the regiment lost two captains and four-
teen men killed and sixty-four wounded. Captain Merrill had several
narrow escapes. A bullet passed through both lapels of his coat in front,
and this uniform he brought home with him. In the same battle a ball
severed his canteen strap behind his shoulder. December 16 he took
part in the charge at Overton's Hills, where his regiment captured two
batteries and compelled Hood to retreat, thus turning the scale of the
important series of battles at Nashville. He was with the pursuit of
the discomfited but yet courageous rebel army, going as far as Leighton,
Alabama,, and during this severe march in midwinter endured severe
fatigues ind privations.
After the surrender of General Lee, the war now being ended,
Captain Merrill was given command of two companies and instiiicted
to gather up government and captured property. While thus engaged
an incident which occurred while he was marching through the con-
quered territory well illustrates the bitter feeling that existed among
the people, and how severe and manly need be the struggle to heal the
wounds and allay the asperities engendered by the battling of brothers
against brothers and neighbors against neighbors. In one small town
Captain Merrill quartered his men in a stone mill just outside the village.
It was a legal holiday, and orders were issued limiting the men to but
few drinks that day. One of the soldiers entered a saloon and called
for a dram. The saloon keeper, who had been a slave owner, resented
the soldier's authoritative manner, and refused. Words followed, and
the saloon keeper knocked the soldier down. The soldier went to his
quarters, returning with his loaded rifle. A duel ensued, and the
saloon keeper was shot in the wrist. The soldier was arrested, but re-
fused to be put in the guard house, and in this he was supported by his
comrades. All had been drinking, and they turned out of their quarters
with loaded rifles, declaring that no saloon keeper could insult one of
Uncle Sam's soldiers. For a time open m.utiny was impending, but
Captain Merrill asserted his authority and restored order. Riding into
102 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
the village, the officers were almost mobbed. Tlie people had become
aroused and threatened an attack upon the soldiers. An old Confederate
colonel came out upon a balcony and addressed the populace. He told
them that the war was over; that this officer (Captain Merrill) was there
in the discharge of his duty with two hundred well-trained soldiers, with
abundance of ammunition, well encamped and entrenched near running
water. Said he, "they are only too eager to fight, and you will get the
worst of it." His words dispersed the mob. He invited the officers to
dine with hijti, and after dinner, while all were smoking upon the ve-
randa, pointed to the adjoining plantation, where his neighbor was just
mounting his horse. "Do you see th.at man?" said he. "Yes," was the
reply. "Well," he answered, "I saw that man shoot my father from
ambush just alter the war began, and now the war is over and we have
returned and niust live as neighbors. He was a northern man. Some-
times my fingers just ache to shoot him as he passes by."
Captaiii Merrill was retained in service for a year after the war
was over, and was mustered out April 25, 1866. Colonel Shafter en-
deavored to induce him to enter the regular army, but he was averse to
a military life except in such dire necessity as appealed to his fervent
patriotism. Returning to Carthage he engaged in the drug trade in part-
nership with his brother. He relinquished this business in 1895, and
was for some years a traveling salesman for a paint house. For a time
he had charge of his brother's store. He was a highly moral man, and
was a regular attendant of the Baptist church, though not a member, and
for seveial years he taught a class in its Sunday school. He was an
active member of E. B. Steele Post, G. A. R., and acted politically with
the Republican party. For a number of years he served as village trus-
tee of Carthage. The latter days of his life were spent in sacrifices for
his motherless children, to whom he devoted himself with a love as ten-
der as that of a mother. As the dread angel spread his dark mantle
over his declining days his only prayer was that he might live until his
youngest daughter had grown into young womanhood. Long after the
muster-out roll sounded, and the seeds of disease were preying upon his
vitals, when he should have been in his sick bed, he continued to labor
aiid sacrifice for his children, carefully concealing from them his condi-
tion and passing the long hours of the night in sufifering until at last
his strength utterly failed, and he passed peacefully away, September
10, 1901. Truly can it be said of him, he was a brave soldier, loving
husband, kind father and true neighbor and friend. His portrait, which
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 103
appears in this work, was placed therein by his son, Ray W. Merrill, in
loving remembrance of an indulgent and affectionate parent.
Captain Merrill was married, at Hailesboro, New York, to Miss
Ellen M. Gates, a native of St. Lawrence county, daughter of Isaiah
and Susan (Waldo) Gates, of the village where she was born, November
3, 1849. She died at the age of thirty-six years and six months. She
was the mother of seven children, of whom three are living: Ray
Waldo, further referred to hereinafter ; Maude, who is engaged in teach-
ing; and Ethel, who is a student in the Potsdam Normal School.
(8) Samuel Lawrence Merrill, M. D., youngest son of Lawrence
C. Merrill, was born March 29, 1838, in Antwerp, and was six months
old when his parents moved to Champion. He grew up in the latter
town, attending the district school, and spent one term at Bush's Academy
and one term at Ives Seminary, Antwerp. He began reading medicine
with Dr. George N. Hubbard, with whom he moved to Carthage, and
subsequently attended medical lectures at the Albany Medical College.
In March, 1864, he enlisted as a contract surgeon, and served in the Cum-
berland and Number Fourteen Hospitals, at Nashville, Tennessee. In
the meantime he entered the medical department of the University of
Nashville, and received his diplom.a in 1865. He then joined the Seven-
teenth United States Infantry, in which his brother was a captain, and
contmued as assistant surgeon until May, 1866, when he was discharged.
For about eight years following the war, he was engaged in the drug
business, and then resumed the practice of medicine at Carthage, in
the fall of 1875. He was subsequently in practice at Mannsville, this
county, nearly ten years, and returned to Carthage upon the death of
Dr. Hubbard, to take charge of the latter's practice. In 1896 he again
acquired the drug store, which had been conducted by his brother in the
meantime, and has conducted it since in connection with his practice.
He is the owner of a fine farm in the town of Lorraine, on which a large
dairy is maintained. Dr. Merrill is a member of the Baptist church, in
which he served many years as trustee, and was formerly connected
with the Masonic order.
He was married February 25, 1864, to Miss Mary E, Osborn, a
native of New Jersey, daughter of Jonathan Osborn, who was several
years a farmer in the town of Wilna, and a deacon of the Baptist church
of Carthage. She died September 20. 1875, survived by one of her
three children. Lawrence, tlie eldest, died at the age of ten years, and
the voungest when seven months old. Anna, the second, is the wife of
104 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
the Rev. J. Foster Wilcox, of Syracuse, and has a daughter, Ruth Ehza-
beth. In 1878 Dr. Merrill married Ellen E. Brown, of Ellisburg, daugh-
ter of Waterman Brown, one of the early farmers of that town, and
his wife, Nancy Williams.
(9) Ray Waldo Merrill, son of Erwin Moses Merrill, was born
January 28, 1878, in Carthage, where his home has always been. He
graduated from the Carthage High School in 1S98, and immediately
began reading law with Hon. A. E. Kilby, of Carthage. That he has
made the most cf his opportunities is shown by the facts that he gradu-
ated from the Albany Law School on May 30, 1901, and was admitted
to the bar at Rochester July 20 following. Since then he has been
actively engaged in practice at Carthage, taking a profitable business
from the start. He is affiliated with Carthage Lodge, Number 158, of
the Masonic fraternity. He follows in his father's footsteps in uphold-
ing the principles for which he fought in the civil war, and acts with
the Republican party. He is a member of the Baptist church of Carthage.
Ellen M. Gates, wife of Captain Erwin M. Merrill, was a descendant
in the ninth generation of Cornelius Waldo, extended mention of whom,
with many of his descendants, appears under the proper heading in this
work 5. Shubael, son of Shubael Waldo (see 4, Waldo), was born
January 10, 1733, in what is now Lisbon, Connecticut, and died Septem-
l)er 4, 1807, at Herkimer, New York. He was a tanner by occupation,
and lived at various places in this state. He was with his father at Al-
stead. New Hampshire, and moved thence to this state early in life.
There is a tradition that he was a revolutionary soldier with his eight
brothers, but no record is found of such service. He was married Octo-
ber 2, 1754, in Mansfield, Connecticut, to Priscilla, daughter of Samuel
and Betty Smitli. She was born January 4, 1734, in Colchester, Connec-
ticut. They had seven children.
6. JaraiT!, fifth child of Shubael and Priscilla Waldo, was born in
May, 1772, at Herkimer, this state, and died in 1841 at Great Bend, this
county. He was a farmer in Champion, and also followed shoemaking.
He married, at Rossie, Lois Kinney, who was born in 1775, and died in
1855, in the town of Rutland. They had nine children.
7. Shubael, third child of Jaram and Lois Waldo, was born May
28, 1804, at flerkimer. New York, and died May 11, 1836, in Hailesboro,
St. Lawrence county, wdiere he was a farmer. He was married, May 27,
1827, in Champion, to Phoebe Delana Caldwell, of Champion, born
May 5, 1809, and died April i, 1892, in Hailesboro. They had four chil-
dren.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 105
8. Susan, eldest child of Shubael and Phoebe D. Waldo, was born
January i6, 1828, in Champion, and died March 28, 1865, at Great Bend.
She was married, October 15, 1848, in Fowler, New York, to Isaac, son
of Arba and Susan (Clintsman) Gates, of Hermon, New York, where
Isaac was born. He died May 30, 1852, in California. His only child,
(IX) Ellen M., born November 3, 1849. was married in Hailesboro, to
Erwin M. Merrill.
LEWIS. This is the name of a very old New England family, es-
tablished in Rhode Island as early as 1661, by John Lewis, who was one
of the original proprietors of the town of Westerly, where he died before
1690. His children were John, Daniel, James, David, Israel, Samuel
and Dorcas. The first settler at Westerly was John Babcock, who went
from Newport with his wife, Mary Lawton, and built a wigwam
on the east side of the Pavi'catuck river. Their first child, James Babcock.
was the first male white child born in the Narragansett territory (see Bab-
cock). The people of Newport had previously deputized five men — Will-
iam Vaughan, Robert Stanton, John Fairchaild, Hugh Mosher and
James Longbottom — to purchase from the Indians the title to the land,
This was accomplished and the deed, given by one Sosa, was dated June
29, 1660. Settlers soon began to arrive, and among them was John Lewis,
a native of Wales, and his family.
(I) John Lewis may have come from Newport to Westerly, but
nothing definite can be ascertained, as the records of Newport were so
mutilated by the British, who carried them off during the Revolutionary
war, as to be useless. John Lewis was in Westerly about the beginning
of 1661, as he signed articles of agreement there on March 22 of that
year. On May 17, 1671, he appeared, with twenty-one others, at the
house of Tobias Saunders, in response to a public warrant, and took the
oath of allegiance to the government of Rhode Island. When he was ad-
mitted a freeman, October 28, 1668, he was credited to Misquamocott,
from which it is apparent that the name Westerly was adopted subse-
quent to that time. The town did not keep an official record until 1683,
and, under date of September, 1679, was entered the name of John Lewis,
junior, as owner of lot 9. March 3, 1680, the following were listed as
lot-holders : '"James Lewis, i lote : David Lewis, 5 lots ; Izreall Lewis.
16 lots; and Samuel Lewis, 38 lots." It seems that there was a son, Jon-
athan, as it is noted that he settled on Long Island. Daniel made his
home in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, another in Exeter, and the rest re-
106 GENEALOGICAL A\W FAMILY HISTORY.
mained in Westerly. When the father settled in \Vesterly he located not
far from the present residence of John H. Cross, and after his death his
body was deposited just below the village of Westerly, on the east side
of the highway leading to Watch Hill, in front of the house now owned by
Thomas E. Saunders. This land once belonged to the Lewis family, and
seven generations are said to be buried there. There is another Lewis
burying ground in W'esterly, on the east of a gravel hill, south of the
house of Pardon Lewis, containing about a dozen graves. In both ceme-
teries the absence of headstones or lettering renders the names of indi-
viduals uncertain.
(II) John Lewis, eldest child of John Lewis (I), took the oath
of allegiance May 3, 1681. He was grand juror June 12, 1688, and
appointed deputy to the general assembly at Newport, October 25, 1704,
and again in 1709 and 1710. He died in 1735. His wife's name was
Anna, as shown by his will. This instrument, j dated April 4, 1732,
provides, among other things, that his Negro, "Will," should have ten
pounds and, after his master's death, should be absolutely and entirely
free. His children were Joseph, Sarah, Mary, Ann, Abigail, John, Will-
iam and Jerusha.
(III) Joseph, eldest son of John Lewis (2), was born October
16, 1683, in. Westerly, and married Mary Wilcox, who died November
27, 1762. He died about 1764, his will bearing date June 24, of that
year. Both he and his wife were buried in the Lewis cemetery, at West-
erly. Their children were: Jerusha, Joseph, Anna, Amos, Thankful,
Abraham, Hannah, Abel and Esther.
(IV) Abraham, third son and sixth child of Joseph Lewis, was
born November 24, 1724, in Westerly. No further record of him can
be found, except that his children were Abraham, Jr., James, Henry,
David, Esther and Nehemiah.
(V) Henry Lewis, third son of Abraham, was born in 1757, prob-
ably at Petersburg, Rensselaer county, this state, as other members of
the family are known to have been born there. In 1800 he settled at
what is now North Wilna, and built a log house on the east side of the
road, opposite the present hotel (built by his descendants), where the
marks of the cellar are still visible. He was one of the first overseers
of the poor in the town. His first wife was Polly Jackson, and five of
their children were born in Rensselaer county. Three more were born
in Wilna, one being the first white child born within the present limits
of the town. The mother died in 1807, at the age of thirty-eight years.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. lo7
and Mr. Lewis was subsequently three times married, but no record is
found of the second and third marriages or of the names of the I^rides.
Soon after the death of his first wife, he moved to Cattaraugus county,
New York, where all of the last three marriages w-ere consummated.
A son, Oscar, was born of the second marriage, but died at the age of
nine years. The fourth wife was Marv' McMillen, who died in 1836.
She bore him two children, of whom the elder, Sarah, must have died
young, as no trace of her has been found. The younger, Mortimer, was
born June 13, i8ig, and died July 10, 1895, near Weston, Ohio. In
1826 Mr. Lewis joined his eldest and third sons, near La Grange, Ohio,
where he died in 1836. Following is a brief record of the children of the
first marriage: Ephraim, born April 9, 1786, lived in Ohio. Betsey.
March 22, 1789, was married October 10. 1808, to John C. Foster, of
Antwerp. Stephen, May 14, 1792, is mentioned at length below. Henry,
June I, 1793, went to Ohio. Polly, November 5, 1795, married George
W. Bingham, November 27, 18 16, and lived and died in Wilna. Martha,
1802, married John Chellis, of Watertown, and died one year later.
Granson, May 22, 1805, is the subject of a paragraph below. Rodolphus
Jackson, March 22, 1807, was an infant when his mother died and was
reared by his eldest sister, in Antwerp. He settled at Oswego, this
state, where he died.
(VI) Stephen Lewis lived nearly all his life in North Wilna. He
inherited land, to which he added by purchase, and was the owner of
three hundred acres. In 1825 he built the red house in which he kept
hotel during the balance of his life, and which was destroyed in the
spring of 1903. It stood a little south of the present hotel building,
erected by his son. He was a captain of the local militia, and was a
prominent man of the town. He died November 21, 1854. He was
married October 26, 18 17, to Sophia Ross, who was born April 21,
1794, in Herkimer county, one of a family of eleven children, of Scotch
descent. Of their five children, the first and third died before one year
old. They were named Amanda and Charles. Sanford, the second,
born November 24, 1820, lived in North Wilna, kept a hotel, and died
May 19, 1892. He was first married February 11, 1846, to Abigail
Kimball, who was born July 24, 1822, and died March 5, 1867. He
was married second February 24, 1870. to Audrey Caroline Bigelow, who
was born June 24, 183 1, and survives him, still residing in the hotel which
he built. He was postmaster over forty years, his incumbency ending
with his death. Silvius, mentioned further below, was the fourth child
108 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
of Stephen Lewis. :Myrc)n. the fifth, is also mentioned at length far-
tlier on.
(VI) Granson Lewis lived at North Wilna until 1834, when he
moved to the center of the town, where Wilna postoffice was long located,
and built a hotel, which he kept as long as he lived, and in which he
died November 14. 1851. aged forty-eight years. This building is still
standing and furnishes a home for his grandson, Charles Lewis, on
the homestead farm. He purchased twenty-six acres of land, on which
he did some farming in connection with his hotel business and to which
his son added, making the present farm over one hundred acres. He
sought no part in public affairs, was a Whig in politics, and gave his
attention to the care of his family. For several years he kept the post-
office, which was continued after his death by his son. He was married
April 14. 1828, to Meribah N. Chaffee, a native oi Westminster, Ver-
mont, and daughter of Zebina and Lucy (Nutting) Chaffee, who moved
with oxen from Vermont and settled at Natural Bridge in the pioneer
days. Mrs. Lewis was married November 26, 1872, to Orin F. Sanders,
whom she survived, and died March 18, 1894, at West Carthage, at
the age of eighty-five years. She was the mother of two sons and a
daughter. Nelson, the eldest, is farther described below. Columbus
R. went to California in i860, and is now a resident of Oakland, in that
state. Lucia Ann married John R. Washburn, a prominent citizen of
Watertown, where she died, and where he died in 1903.
(VH) Nelson Lewis was born August 7, 1829, in North Wilna,
and was five years old when his father moved to Wilna postoffice. Here
he grew up, and was twenty-four years old when his father died. He
continued to operate the hotel until the building of railroads and other
influences changed the current of travel, wdien he gave more attention
to agriculture. He added to the original domain, and was the possessor
of one hundred and ten acres, which he tilled with success. He died
there October 26, 1887. aged fifty-eight years. He was a Republican,
from the beginning of that party, and took an intelligent interest in the
progress of events, but never sought nor accepted office, other than that
of postmaster. He was married December 26, 185 1, to Caroline Lang-
staff, a native of Piscataway, New Jersey, and daughter of Henry and
Marinda Eliza (Pickering) Langstaff, natives of New Jersey and Con-
necticut respectively. James, the father of Henry Langstaff, was a Rev-
olutionary soldier. Mrs. Lewis survives her husband, and resides in the
hotel building erected by him. and is an exemplary member of the Dis-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 109
ciples church. Of their seven children, four are Hving. Josephine, the
first, died in infancy. Eugene Granson, the second, furnishes the sub-
ject of other paragraphs. Helen M. lives one mile south of her mother,
being the wife of Jared Pierce. Charles E. resides on the home farm.
Estelle E. married Frank Pennington, and lives north of her native
place. Lillian L. died in 1899, while the wife of Wells Timmerman.
Nelson died when three years old. The men of this family have usually
been of large stature, and all were fond of hunting and fishing, to which
characteristic Nelson Lewis was no exception.
(VIII) Eugene Granson Lewis was born October 24, 1854, in
the hotel at Wilna, where his mother and brother now reside. He grew
up there and attended the district school until twelve years of age, when
he was obliged to abandon school, on account of his father's failing
health, and gave his attention to the affairs of the farm and hotel.
Though his school days were few, Mr. Lewis has supplemented, by
private study and reading and observation, the knowledge thus gained,
and is known as one of the most intelligent and progressive citizens of
the town of Wilna. On attaining his majority, his younger brother
being then able to assume the responsibilities of the home place, he went
to Utica and was there employed five years by a market gardener. His
duties involved the sale of the product, and this experience gave him a
large insight of human nature and business methods.
Returning to Wilna, he soon acquired his present farm, consisting
of sixty-eight acres, near the east line of the town, on which he has made
many improvements, including the present farm buildings and residence.
He gives considerable attention to the breeding of Jersey cows, and
keeps from ten to twelve, from which he produces butter for the market.
Mr. Lewis is a member of Carthage Grange, of which he has served as
overseer, was three years master, and is now assistant steward. He is
recognized as an influential force in the affairs of the order. With his
wife he affiliates with the Universalist church of Natural Bridge, in
which he is a trustee. In politics he sustains with voice and vote the
principles of the Republican party.
Mr. Lewis was married June 8, 1882, to Sedate Hester, daughter of
Elisha and Angelica (Clearwater) Fulton, of old Wilna families. The
last named is a daughter of Jacob Clearwater, a soldier of the war of
1812, and his wife, Hester Sheley, a native of Johnstown, New York.
(See Fulton, Elisha F., IV.)
Jacob Clearwater was born in Marbletown, Ulster county. New York,
no GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
a son of Daniel Clearwater. About 1836 he came to Carthage, and some
six years later settled on a farm in the town of Wilna, where he died
September 4, 1856. His widow died several years later, in Croghan.
They had seven children: Abraham, the eldest, was born May 3, 1818,
lived and died in Ontario, Illinois; Maria, who died in girlhood; Daniel,
born December 2, 1822. lived on the homestead and died there January
14, 1891 ; John, torn March 3, 1825, died in young manhood; Angelica;
Joseph, born July 16, 1830, settled in Croghan, and died there, and he
operated a sawmill and was also a farmer; Luke, born September 30.
1833, resided on a farm in Mexico, Otsego county.
(VII) Silvius, son of Stephen Lewis, was born August 18, 1825,
in the hotel kept by his father at North Wilna, and passed his entire
life in that place. He inherited one hundred acres of land from his
father, and purchased one hundred and twenty more, also inheriting
seventy acres on the death of his mother, making his estate cover almost
three hundred acres, and he was a successful farmer. He served twenty
years as assessor of the town, thus proving the confidence of his fellows
in his integrity and sound judgment. He passed away at his home
north of the hotel, April 2, 1878, in his fifty-third year. He was an
expert at the games of backgammon and checkers, and many contests
were waged between him and his cronies at the old hotel.
Mr. Lewis was married February 24, 1852, to Isabel E. Hanson,
who survives him and resides with her son on the homestead. She was
born May 5, 1830, in Lowville, a daughter of Peter and Anna (Thrall)
Hanson, natives of Hartford county, Connecticut. Anna Thrall was
a daughter of Jesse Thrall, a Revolutionary soldier. Three children
came to Silvius and Isabel E. Lewis. Orville Adolphus, born March 24.
1853, resides in Antwerp. Sketches of the others follow.
(VIII) Stephen Sidney, son of Silvius Lewis, was born Novem-
ber 24, 1854, on the farm at North Wilna, where he resided all his life,
until his removal to Philadelphia, New York, in December, 1903. He
attended the district school of the neighlxirhood, and meantime gave
his aid to his father in the cultivation of his large farm. He was always
ready in the use of tools, and has done much building in the county.
Upon the death of his father he assumed the ownership of the farm, in
company with his younger brother, and they purchased the interest of
the eldest brother. Becoming somewhat broken in health, he leased
his interest to his younger brother, and gave his attention largely to
carpenter work. The summer of 1902 was spent in Philadelphia, where
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. lU
he was employed in building operations, and he sold out to his brother
in 1903 and moved to Philadelphia, where he purchased a house and lot,
and intends to make his home in future. With a set of blacksmith's
and carpenter's tools he is likely to make himself useful in some capacity,
as he has in the past. His house on the farm is a sample of his handi-
work, on which he hired only ten days' work done, in any capacity. Like
others of his tribe, he is a sound Republican, and has served as town
assessor for the last nine years, his tenure closing only on account of his
removal. He attends the Methodist church.
Mr. Lewis was married August 7. 1880, to Miss Dolly L. Mack,
who was born June 1 1, 1858. in the town of Wilna, a daughter of Ches-
ter and Mary Ann (Tooly) Mack, nati\-es, respectively, of Antwerp
and Wilna. Chester Mack was a son of Carmus and Martha (McCloud)
Mack, the latter of Scotch birth, and both early settlers in Wilna. Mary
Ann Tooly was a daughter of Horace and Dolly (Olds) Tooly, natives
of Vermont, the latter of whom lived to be one hundred years old.
(Vni) Henry H. Lewis, youngest son of Silvius Lewis, was born
A.pril 26, 1861, in the house where he now lives. His education, as far
as school is concerned, was completed at Ives Seminary, at Antwerp.
For several years thereafter he taught in the schools of Jefferson county,
an experience worth more as an educator than many terms as a student.
With a grasp of men and things he impresses the observer as a man of
parts, and is withal a most genial and courteous gentleman. Of quiet
and modest disposition, he is not quickly read at his real worth.
For some years he has given much care and effort to the preserva-
tion of the family genealogy, and tO' his painstaking labor and intelli-
gence is due much of the information contained in the sketch of the Lewis
family. Having come into possession of the home farm by inheritance
and purchase, he is now giving diligent attention to its cultivation. He is
a member of the Methodist church at Wood's, in which he was superin-
tendent of the Sunday school for three years. An earnest student of hu-
man progress, he gives support to the Republican policies as embodying
most fully his ideas of true principles of government. For three years
following the death of his uncle, Sanford Lewis, he kept the postolfice at
North Wilna. Mr. Lewis is a member of Carthage Grange.
Mr. Lewis was married, December 24, 1900, to Miss Kate N. Ran-
dall, who was born September 25, 1869, at Wood's and they are the
parents of one son, Henry Silvius, born December 18, 1902.
The earliest ancestor of the Randall family, of which Mrs. Henry
112 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
H. Lewis is a representative, was Benajah Randall, whose son, William
Randall, born June ii, 1788, in Vermont, removed from that state to
Herkimer county, New York, where he died in 1801. His wife bore
him five children, as follows : Dr. Samuel, who resided in the west, and
was the father of one son; Williatn, mentioned hereinafter; Benajah,
who was the father of three children, Silas, Benajah, a resident of Os-
wego, and Maria, who became the wife of Hiram Wait ; Orphia, who be-
came the wife of John Bemis; and Willard, who died in early life.
William Randall, second son of William Randall, married Amanda
Ross, and their children were as follows: Reuben Benajah, born March
I, 181 1, died November 23, 1873; Clarina, born March i, 1813, becatme
the wife of John G. Hubbard, and died August 17, 1883; John Zinah,
mentioned hereinafter; William, Jr., born July 13, 1817; Sophia, born
April 22, 1819, died May 24, 1879; Samuel Nicholas, born June 24.
1821, died October 5, 1846; Hezekiah Streeter, born April 26, 1824, a
resident of Gouverneur; Artem.ns Asahel, born May 5, 1826, died July
17, 1826; Harvey Eleazer, born April 29, 1828. died November 13, 1857;
Mark Anthony, born January 30, 1831, died Febmary 7, 1842; Noble
Watson, born March 26, 1834, died July 11, 1865, before Richmond
during the Civil war.
John Zinah Randall, second son of Wilh'am and Amanda (Ross)
Randall, was born May 17, 181 5, and was killed at the second battle of
Fredericksburg, December 12, 1862. He was married, Noveimber 17,
1840, to Almena Brooks, daughter of Julius and Sally (Otis) Brooks,
and their children were : Artemus Asahel, born March 3, 1842, who was
wounded by a shell at the second battle of Fredericksburg, and died De-
cember 13, 1862; Nelson W., father of Mrs. Lewis, mentioned herein-
after; Esther J., born March 11, 1849, married, October 25, 1870, Will-
iam H. Ormiston; Ella A., born July 27, 1859, married, February 18,
1885, Silas Monroe. The mother of these children died June i, 1896.
Nelson W. Randall, father of Mrs. Lewis, and second son of John
Zinah and Almena (Brooks) Randall, was born February 23, 1844,
died Decernber 22, 1S92. The early years of his life were spent on a
farm at Woods, and after his marriage to Ellen Smith, of Lafargeville,
New York, December 26, 1867, he went to Virginia, where he remained
two years. He then located in Nyack, New York, where he purchased
a moulding mill which he conducted eight years and then sold. Subse-
quently he purchased a planing mill in Hoboken, New York, and he was
killed by machinery in his own plant. Nelson W. and Ellen (Smith)
GENEALOGICAL AND EAMILY HISTORY. 113
Randall were the parents of two children: Kate N., aforementioned as
the wife of Henry H. Lewis; she was educated in Jersey City high
school and Hasbrook Institute, where she received, in 1889, a gold medal
in the art and scholarship departments. She began giving private draw-
ing lessons at home, but after a =hort period of time she accepted a posi-
tion as supervisor of drawmg in the West Hoboken schools, where she
remained three years, or until her marriage. Edwin C, born June 28,
1872, was engaged with his father, Nelson VV. Randall, for a time, later
was superintendent of a wholesale lumber yard, and at the present time
(1904) is in charge of the Boston office of the firm of Wickes Brothers.
(VII) Myron, youngest child of Stephen Lewis, was born March
25, 1828, in the hotel kept by his father at North Wilna, and grew up
there. He started in life at an early age, purchasing one hundred acres
of land when nineteen years old. This was a wilderness, and he was
obliged to cut away trees to make room to build a house. He cleared up
this land, to which he added twenty acres, and developed a fine -farm,
which he continued to till during his life, which ended March 12, 1892.
In 1883 he built the square house now standing on his farm, on lot 855.
He carried on diversified farming, raising grain and keeping cows.
Though not a member of any church, he cherished the faith of the Meth-
odists, and was respected as an upright citizen. Like all his family, he
was a supporter of Republican principles in national and state affairs.
Before he was nineteen years old, November 26, 1846, he was mar-
ried to Mary Frances DeWolf, who was born in August, 183 1, in New
York city, and died December 5, 1885. They were the parents of ten
children, all of whom are living. Julia, the first, married William Gates
and resides in Schenectady, this state. • Augustus P. is a farmer in the
town of Wilna. Adelaide married Nelson Twining, and lives in Copen-
hagen, Lewis county. Cornelia is the wife of William Gray, of Utica,
Myron is mentioned farther below. Sophia is the wife of John Dickson,
a farmer of Antwerp. Sanford is a resident of Harrisville, Lewis county.
Florence married Cranson Scott, a farmer residing on Alexandria Road,
Wilna. Frank is a citizen of Alpine, Lewis county. Luella is Mrs.
Alexis Smith, residing near Natural Bridge, in the town of Wilna.
November 10, 1887, Mr. Lewis married Harriet (Timmerman) widow
of Packard.
(VIII) Augustus Piatt Lewis, eldest son of Myron Lewis, was
born August 9, 1849, at North Wilna, in the red hotel, and soon after
his birth his father moved to the farm. When he was thirteen years old
114 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Augustus; went to live with liis uncle, Sanford Lewis, who had no sons,
and^for two years after that attended school in the winter, in the local
district. He continued to assist his father on the home farm until he was
eighteen years old, and then set out to begin an independent life, accord-
in<^ to family custom. He worked one season on a farm in Deerfield,
and spent a year in the sewing machine department of the Remington
armory, at Ilion, New York. For the succeeding three years he was
employed by David Gray, a market gardener at Utica, and gave his time
chiefly to the sale of the product, thus gaining an experience of value to
him ever since. After working a year in a grocery kept by J. W. Morris,
at Utica, he returned to Wilna and bought twenty-five acres of land,
which forms a part of his present homestead. To this he has added by
purchase until he now owns eighty-eight acres. He has given much at-
tention to gardening, and maintains a small dairy, beside raising colts
and otlier stock. He is a member of the Grange at Natural Bridge, and
attends the Protestant Methodist church at North Wilna. A sincere Re-
publican in political principle, he as'oids public office, though he never
forgets to vote. A successful gardener and farmer, Mr. Lewis has
made his own way, and is respected by his contemporaries.
He was married, September 15, 1875. to Miss Bertha Gordon, who
was born April 14. 1848, in Oldenburg, Germany, a daughter of Fred-
erick Gordon. Her mother died wl-;en she was an infant. In i860 she
came with her father to Cape Vincent, this county, and she has since
lived in this vicinity, receiving most of her education in this country.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have a son. Gray Augustus, born July 12, 1880,
and residing with his parents. He was married, December 24, 1902, to
Miss Mabel Kinne, who was born March 23, 1884, at Antwerp, this
county, a daughter of George and Nellie (Cooper) Kinne, natives of the
town of Philadelphia, now residing in Antwerp.
(VIII) Myron, fifth child and second son of [Myron Lewis, was
born September i, 1855, o'^ ^^'"^ farm between Wilna ami North Wilna
postoffices, where he grew up, attending the district school until he was
sixteen years old. He was early accustomed to fill a man's place on the
farm, and continued to assist his father until he was nineteen years old,
when he set out to make his way in the world, as his ancestors had been
wont to do. For some years he worked as a farm hand, saving his earn-
ings, so that he was soon able to take land and till it. Since he was
twenty-four years old he has w'orked the farm on which he now resides,
which was for many years the home of the late Simeon Fulton, with the
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 115
exception of recent years, when it has been rented. In 1896 Mr. Lewis
purchased two hundred and fitty acres of land, much of which is new,
and to the cultivation of this he gives his personal attention. He is a
member of the Carthage Grange, and aims to^ keep up with modern
methods of farming, in which he has been successful. In religious faith
a Universalist, he supports the church at Natural Bridge, and gives po-
litical allegiance to the Republican party, but has never accepted a politi-
cal nomination.
Mr. Lewis was married June 11, 1S79, ^° Julia Fulton, adopted
daughter of Simeon Fulton, a much respected and old-time resident of
Wilna (see Fulton IV). Two sons and a daughter are numbered in the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, namely: Eon Fulton, Lyle V., and La-
rilla Frances, all at home.
LOWE GENEALOGY. The earliest ancestor of the Lowe family
of whom there is any authentic record was Cornelius Low, and the name
appeared in the last written form (Low), for several generations.
Cornelius Low came to this country in 1659, from Halbraud, in Hol-
slein, Geimany, where he was born in the year 1644. He was united m
marriage m 1668, at Kingston, New York, to Elizabeth Blanchan, who
was born in Kingston, New Y'ork, in 1648, daughter of Matthew and
Madeline J. (Jarisse) Blanchan. He came to this country in 1660 with
his son-in-law on the "Guilded Ottar," and Governor Stevens, came
with Anthony Cushill, and his wife and daughter were captured by
the Indians and kept prisoners for three months. Matthew and INIade-
line (Jarisse) Blanchan were the parents of eight children: Cornelius,
born in 1670; Peter, 1672; Abraham, 1674; Jacob, 1676; John, 1678;
Matthew, 1681 ; Madeline, 1683; and Antjie, 1685. Cornelius Low was
an exceedingly large man, noted for his great strength, and was a suc-
cessful merchant in Kingston, New York.
Peter Low, second son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Blanchan) Low,
married, and the issue of this union was four children.
Gideon C. Low. the eldest son of Peter Low (great-great-grand-
father), was born in New York city in 1720. He was imited in marriage,
in 1743, to Rachel Sammons, and they reared a large family.
Peter G. Low (great-grandfather), was born in Kingston, New
York, in 1750, one of three brothers, two of whom served in the Revo-
lutionaiy war. Peter G., on account of ill health, was unable to parti-
cipate in the conflict, but sent a substitute, and this fact entitles his de-
116 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
scendants to membership in the order of the Sons and Daughters of the
American Revolution. For a number of years Mr. Low was a resident of
Clayton, but later removed to Brownville, New York, where his death
occurred in 1847, 'it the extreme old age of ninety-seven years. In 1775
Mr. Low married Catherine Hess, who was Ijorn in Kingston, New
York, in 1753. They were the parents of a family of children, whom they
reared to lead lives of usefulness and activity, namely: Jacob, Gideon,
and Margaret, who became the wife of Isaac White, of Denmark, Lewis
county. New '^'ork.
Gideon Low (grandfather), the first of the family to change the
spelling of the name from Low to Lowe, was born in New Paltz, Ulster
county, New York, May 8, 1779. He spent the early years of his life in
Denmark, New York, but later became one of the pioneer settlers of
the town of Depauville, New York, where he cleared up some land, but,
the ground being low and swampv, he cf>ntracted a fever and therefore
was obliged to remove to higher ground. He served in the war of 1812,
and received credit and distinction for his gallant and meritorious conduct
on the field of battle. He was united in marriage to Polly Goudiere, who
was born in Middletown, New Jersey, April 2, 1782, a daughter of Fran-
cis Goudiere, who came to this country from De Vallitte, France, prov-
ince of Var, where he was born in the year 1755. His wife, Annie
(Trieuxj Goudiere, born in 1758, was a descendant of Philippe and
Jacqueline (Non'et) De Trieux, or De Truax. The earliest mention of
the De Trieux family is found on the Walloon church register preserved
in the University of Leyden, Holland, and by this it is shown that they
joined the church at Leyden, October, 1617, by letter from Amsterdam,
Holland. Other members of the De Trieux family joined this church at
an earlier date.
(iidcon and I 'oily (Goudiere) Lowe were the parents of the fol-
lowing named children; i. Abel F., born July 3. 1802, died in 1859;
he was one of the prime organizers, founders and a liberal contributor
to the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife at her decease left a
handsome endowment for the Ives Seminary at Antwerp, New York.
2. Abraham, born September, 1803, died December 18, 1857; his first
wife was a Frame; his second wife, Adelia Frye, born in 1822, died
November 27, 1855; and his third wife was Harriet Payne, a full ac-
count of whose ancestry is found in the sketch of Milo McCumber, found
elsewhere in this work. 3. Jacob, born in 1809, •''•ed April 6, 1874; his
wife, Betsy (Hancock) Lowe, died October 11, 1895, aged eighty-seven
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 117
years. 4. John, born January 7, 1810, died Septeimber 22, 1876; his
wife, Eunice (Phelps) Lowe, born November 18, 1813, died in 1900;
a full account of her ancestry is found in the sketch of J. D. Lowe, which
follows this. 5. Isaac, mentioned hereinafter. 6. Fanny, born in 1814.
7. Chester, born April 26, 1819, married Celestine Gould, born January
17, 1822, in Michigan, died July 28, 1894; they were the parents of
three children: Charlotte, who became the wife of E. Rogers, of i\Iich-
igan ; Alice and Eugene, both residents of Michigan. 8. Margaret, born
in 1821, became the wife of Homer Phelps, and died in early woman-
hood. 9. Ann, born in 1823, died at Benton Harbor, Michigan. Gideon
Lowe, father of these children, died at his home in Depauville, May 14.
1853, aged seventyrfour years. His wife, Polly (Goudiere) Lowe,
passed away September 2, 1867, in the eighty-sixth year of her age.
Isaac Lowe (father) was born at Deer River, town of Denmark,
New York, November 12. 1812. He was reared in his native town,
which was located in Lewis county, and upon attaining young manhood
located in Clayton, near the town of Depau^•ille, where he purchased a
farm and engaged extensively in the breeding and handling. of sheep,
cows and horses, being the owner of as many as one hundred and fifty
co'ws at a time, which he later disposed of at advantageous prices. He
was a prominent and influential citizen of the community, and took a
keen and active interest m religious and political affairs. Mr. Lowe mar-
ried Zilla Atwood, who was born May 6, 1818, and they were the parents
of nine children, three of who are living at the present time, namely:
Celia, wife of D. C. Herkimer, of Depauville, New York; Alfred D.. a
sketch of whom follows this; and Frank D., whose personal sketch also
follows this. Isaac Lowe, father of these children, died at his home in
Depauville, May 31, 1879, ^ged sixty-six years, and his wife, Zilla (At-
wood) Lowe, died November 6, 1889, aged seventy-one years.
Zilla (Atwood) Lowe was the daughter of Anthony and Polly
(Chandler) Atwood, the former-named having been born in the year
1769, in Vermont, where he was a well known and highly respected hotel
keeper. In 18 17 he came to this section and located at Depauville, at
that time there being no houses where the thriving village of Clayton now
stands. Here he spent his life, and died October 29, 1845, i" the seventy-
seventh year of his age. His wife, Polly (Chandler) Atwood, was born
in 1786, and her death occurred in Depauville, New York, September 20,
1854, in the sixty-ninth year of her age. She was the daughter of An-
thony Chandler, a relative of Governor Gorman Chandler, of Vermont.
118 GEXEALOGICAL AXD FAMILY IIISTURY.
Anthony and Polly (Chandler) Atwood were the parents of the follow-
ino- named children: i. Isaac, born in 1810 in Vermont, died in Depau-
ville. New York, October 29, 1845 : ^'^ came to Clayton, New York, with
his father when he was a mere child. He married Luthera Stetson, who
was born in 1814, and died September 19, 1874. Their children were:
Jeanette, Charles, James L., who married Arvilla Dodge, daughter of
Francis Dodge, and their children are Celia and Isaac Atwood; Mon-
treville W., born in Clayton, who married Emma Cleveland, daughter of
Isaac and Adeline (Hudson) Cleveland, a sketch of whom appears else-
where in this work, and they have one daughter, Adeline Atwood. 2.
Cynthia, born , became the wife -of Oliver Rouse. 3. Oliver P.,
born , 181 5. died March 21. 1845, aged thirty years. 4. Zilla,
born May 6, 1818, aforementioned as the wife of Isaac Lowe. 5. Co-
rilla. born 1821, died November t8. 1839, aged 18 years. 6. WilHam C,
born , resided m Clayton, New York, and died in October, 1903.
.\LFRED D. LOWE, postmaster of Depauville, New York, also
the proprietor of an extensive general establishment in the same town,
is a man of rare intellectual attainments and executive ability, active and
prominent in political circles, and an influential factor in various enter-
prises which have conduced to the material growth and welfare of the
town in which he resides.
He was born September 26, 1850. on the old homestead in Jeffer-
son county. New Y'ork, a son of Isaac and Zilla (Atwood). He was
educated in the district school. Brownville high school and Watertown
Commercial College, from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen,
and Fairfield Seminar\^ During the winter of 1869 he taught school
at Clayton Center, and the following spring he began his mercantile
career as a clerk in a general store conducted by James Johnson. After
the expiration of two years' service in that capacity he formed a part-
nership with Mr. M. V. B. Ranney. under the name of Ranney & Lowe,
and this connection continued for four years, after which the business
was disposed of to Mr. Ranney. In January. 1877, Mr. Lowe entered
into partner.ship with Mr. R. Terry, succeeding the firm of Ormsby &
Terry, and they conducted a successful business until the fall of 1886
under the firm name of Terry & Lowe. After the dissolution of the firm
Mr. Lowe established his present business in one of the best locations
in the village of Depau\-ille, erecting a two-story and basement building,
fifty-six by sixty-five feet, the basement being utilized for storing pur-
poses. Tie carries a full aufl select line of dry and fancy goods, notions.
^^Z£/Z>
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY LIISTORY. 119
clothing, house fiirnisliing, groceries and provisions, drugs and hard-
Avare, and employs the ser\-ices of three clerks to attend to the wants
of his patrons, and also runs a well-equipped wagon through the sur-
rounding country towns. He has achieved a large degree of success
in this enterprise, which fully demonstrates w^hat energy and persever-
ance can accomplish in either business, professional or private life. In
addition to the management of this extensive business. Mr. Lowe super-
intends a farm consisting of two hundred and fifty acres, with a dairy
of twentv-five cows, tlie property of his father-in-law. Abner Smith,
and at various times he has conducted several other farms. He has
also erected a number of houses in the \-illage, which he has disposed
of very advantageously, and during the excavation for these unearthed
several skeletons from their burying ground, the town of Depauville
being formerly inhabited by Indians. Through the village of Depau-
ville. formerly known as Frog Hollow, or Podunk, runs the Chaumont
river, which was known as Catfish creek in early times ; this river is
navigable by way of Chaumont Bay for six miles from any point on
the great lakes, and during the building of his business block and also
at other times Mr. Lriwe has had vessels laden with merchandise and
lumber come up from the lakes and unload in close proximity to his
store.
I\Ir. Lowe has been largely instrumental in the building up and
improvement of the village, and is actively and prominently identified
with various important enterprises. He is one of the stockholders and
a director in the Telephone Exchange, having raised four hundred dol-
lars for its erection, contributed three hundred and fifty dollars tO' estab-
lish a telegraph line and office; is a director in the Bank of Clayton, a
stockholder in several of the most extensive cheese factories in this sec-
tion, and also in a beautiful six thousand dollar dairy plant, which was
built in 1903. He has served in the capacity of trustee of the Depau-
ville Cemetery Company for twelve years, was also secretai"y and treas-
urer of the same for a number of years, and during this period contrib-
uted in no small degree to the beautifying of the ground. He served
as town clerk several terms until the office was removed to Clayton;
in 1882 was elected justice of the peace, and is still the incumbent of
the office; was tw'ice nominated for supervisor, and reduced the majority
to thirty-two against one hundred and eight for other candidates ; and
has served as postmaster under every Republican President, and as deputy
postmaster under each Democratic administration for twenty-five con-
120 GENEALOGICAL AND EAMILY HISTORY.
seculive years, and is the present incumbent of the position. Mr. Lowe
is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with
Depauville Lodge No. 688 ; also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
subordinate lodge, and Montcalm Encampment No. 27, of Watertown;
a charter member of the Order of Foresters, and presiding officer for
a number of years, and treasurer at the present time (1904) of the high
court cif the state.
August 13, 1873, Mr. Lowe married Emma F. Smith, born in
Clayton, New York, August 12, 1849, ^ daughter of Abner and Elma
(Wheeler) Smith. Abner Smith was born in Brownville, a son of
Abner Smith, who came to Brownville as a pioneer and built a stone
house which is still standing in a fair state of preservation. Abner
Smith, Sr., died at the age of eighty-two years. Abner Smith, Jr., took
a prominent part in educational matters, taught school for many years,
and is supposed to have held the first state teachers' certificate ever issued
in Jefferson county. New York. Subsequently he conducted a beautiful
farm of two hundred and fifty acres located about three miles from
Depauville, on the road to Clayton, but about the year 1880 he retired
from active business pursuits, and has since made his home with Mr.
Lowe. He served as town superintendent of schools, justice of the
peace and assessor, being the incumbent of each office for several years.
Although eighty-seven years of age he is still vigorous in mind and body,
and is one of the most intelligent men in the town. Elma (Wheeler)
Smith, wife of Abner Smith, was born in Russia, Herkimer county,
New York, a daughter of Myron and Sally (Paine) Wheeler. Myron
Wheeler came to Clayton, New York, by means of marked trees, was
one of the very earliest settlers of that section, followed the occupation
of drover, and died at the age of eighty years. Myron Wheeler and his
wife, Sally (Paine) Wheeler, were the parents of a number of children,
two of whom are living at the present time — Ephraim, principal of the
Pulaski school, formerly connected wtih the Ives Seminary; Elma, who
became the wife of Abner Smith, and died in the year 1842; and Susan,
widow of Morgan Moffatt.
FRANK D. LOWE, deputy collector and inspector of customs at
Clayton, Jefferson county. New York, in which capacity he has ser^^ed
since 1898, is a native of the town in which he now resides, having
been born October 17, 1862, a son of Isaac and Zilla (Atwood) Lowe.
He was reared in his native town of Clayton. New York, and ac-
quired an excellent English education in the common schools of the town
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 121
and at Hungerford Collegiate Institute. Adams, New York, graduating
from the commercial department of the latter-named institution in the
class of 1881. The following eighteen months he served in the capacity
of clerk in the extensive establishment now owned and conducted by his
brother, Alfred D. Lowe, and then by Terry & Lowe, at Depauville, New
York. After his resignation from this position he returned to the old
farm, which consisted of one hundred and fifty acres of rich and arable
land, where he remained until 1898, and during this period he devoted
his entire attention to the cultivation and improvement of the same. In
1903 he disposed of the old homestead, and now owns a two-hundred
acre farm, which was formerly the property of his wife, but resides in
Clayton village, renting the farm.
Mr. Lowe has been honored by his fellow-citizens by election to
various offices of trust and responsibility. He was collector of taxes for
one year, supen-isor during the year 1895, ^nd appointed to his present
position of deputy collector and inspector of customs in 1898, was reap-
pointed in 1902, and is still serving in 1904. He has conducted this
office to the eminent satisfaction of the department officials at Wash-
ington, D. C, and by his courteous manner and agreeable disposition
has won for himself a wide circle of friends. He has one assistant to
aid him in the routine work of the office. He is a Republican in politics,
and has been appointed a delegate to various conventions. He has been
master for two years, and warden for three years of Depauville Lodge
No. 688, Free and Accepted Masons : a member of Clayton Lodge No.
539, and Montcalm Encampment No. 160, I. O. O. F. ; and a member
of Depauville Grange.
Mr. Lowe was united in marriage November 29, 1882, to Gertrude
A. Plumb, a native of Depauville, New York, and a daughter of Sand-
ford Plumb, a farmer by occupation, who died at the age of seventy-one
years, and Betsy (Rice) Plumb, the two latter named having been the
parents of six daughters, four of whom are living at the present time
(1903) : Emma, who resides in Montana; Nettie, a resident of Buffalo.
New York: Gertrude, wife of Frank D. Lowe; and Winnifred, who
married Merritt Andrus, and who resides in Washington, D. C. Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Lowe are the parents of one son, Ross B., born Novem-
ber 30, 1883. He was educated in the common and high schools; gradu-
ated from Albany Business College in May, 1904, and is now bookkeeper
in the store of his uncle, A. D. Lowe. Mr. Lowe and his wife attend
divine services at the Methodist Episcopal church of Clayton, New York.
V2'2 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
JOHN DEMSTER LOWE, a prosperous agriculturist of Gunns
Corners, was born in Clayton. New York, February 9, 1857, a son of
John and Eunice (Phelps) Lowe.
John Lowe (father) was born January 7, 1810, in Deer River,
Lewi.s county, New York. He was reared and obtained a practical edu-
cation in Deer River, New York, and upon attaining young manhood-
located in the town of Clayton, where he purchased a farm and was very
successful in the cultivation and management of the same. In 1859 he
bought a one hundred and eighty-five acre farm at Gunns Corners, now
occupied by his sons, John D. and Abel F. Lowe, and here he spent the
latter years of his life.
In 1832 Mr. Lowe married Eunice Phelps, who was born in Den-
mark, Lewis county. New York, November 8, 1813. Her parents were
Sampson and Louisa (Smith) Phelps; the father was born in New Sa-
lem, Massachusetts, in 1779, and died in 1857; the mother was born Au-
gust 30, 1783, a daughter of Job and Eunice (McClure) Smith. The
children of Sampson and Louise Phelps were six in number : Clemina,
who married French Lowe; Homer, who married Margaret Lowe; Eu-
nice, who married John Lowe; Lovincis, who married a Nims; Leonard;
and John. John Phelps, the only surviving member of this family, was
born December 18, 1819. He married, in Frankfort, New York, near
Utica, Elizabeth Myers, who was born December 5, 1822. She was a
daughter of Frederick F. and Abigail (Frank) Myers, who were the
parents of seven children : Mary, Catherine, Hiram, Abigail, Martha,
Elizabeth (Mrs. Phelps), the only one now living; and Frederick. John
and Elizabeth (Myers) Phelps were the parents of four children, of
whom two are living: Rev. D. L. Phelps, of St. Lawrence, and Rev.
Brayton M. Phelps, of Richville, St. Lawrence county. Mr. and Mrs.
John Phelps reside in Chaumont, New York.
The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John
Lowe: i. Alzina, born August 4, 1859, wife of M. V. Cook, of Rod-
man, New York. 2. John D., mentioned at length in the following
paragraph. 3. Leonard, died in 1895; 4. Ashley D., a resident of Wa-
teitown. New York, married Ida Baldwin, of Stone Mills, New York;
they have one child, Gracie. 5. Delia A., born March 18, 1842, became
the wife of Isaac Webb, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, November 28, i860,
and two children were born to them — Georgie, born September 20, 186^
wife of Herbert Clark, of Dexter, New York, and they have one child,
Florence, born in 1885; and Eugene C, born November 24. 1868. died
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 123
in New York city, March 21, 1903; he was Survived by his wife, Emma
(Stimpson) Webb, and their child, Delia Frances, born March 23, 1892;
after the death of her first husband Mrs. Webb became the wife of F. K.
Leonard, a retired capitalist of Loweville, New York. 6. Abel F., born
in June, 1844, in Clayton, New York, educated in the common schools,
and spent the early years of his life on the farm; he enlisted in the Tenth
New York Heavy Artillery, during his two years' service participated
in a number of engagements, and was honorably discharged as a private.
He then returned to the homestead farm, where he has since resided,
and is now interested with his brother, John D. Lowe, in general farm-
ing and the buying and selling of cattle; he is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and the Grange. In 1888 he was united m marriage to Kate
Cummings, a daughter of A. E. Cummings, and they are the parents
of two children — Maud, living, and John, deceased. 7. Sylvia, wife of
David A. Van Camp of Perch River, New York, sketch elsewhere.
John Lowe, father of these children, was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. His death occurred September 22, 1876, aged sixty-
six years ; his wife, also a member of the same church, died November
22, 1900, in the eighty-ninth year of her age.
John D. Lowe, eldest son of John and Eunice (Phelps) Lowe, was
reared on his father's farm, and his educational advantages were obtained
in the common schools of the neighborhood, at a private school in Brown-
ville. New York, and at Fairfield Academy, Fairfield. Herkimer county,
New York. For a number of years following his graduation from the
latter-named mstitution he was engaged as a school teacher in the sec-
tion of the state familiar to him from childhood to manhood, after which
he assisted his lather in the labor of the farm until the death of the lat-
ter in the year 1876. Fie then assumed the m.anagement of the estate for
his mother, and since her decease has continued his operations on the
farm, aided by his brother, Abel F. Lowe. In addition to general farm-
ing they breed and sell a large number of stock horses and other kinds
of cattle. Mr. Lowe served as assessor of the township for nine consec-
utive years, during the greater part of which time he was chairman of
the board, and he has also been called upon to serve as delegate to a
number of county conventions. He is an active and loyal Republican
in politics, a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons of De-
pauville, and also of the Grange. He is a director of the Jefferson County
Agricultural Society, was vice-president one year, and also served as
president one year.
12-1 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
DAVID A. VAN CAMP, deceased, for many years a highly re-
spected and eminently successful business man of Perch River, New-
York, was born in the town of Clayton, New York, September 22, 1844,
a son of Cornelius, born in 1818, died in May, 1859, and Mercy (Spicer)
Van Camp, born April 10, 1819. died October 13, 1896. A full account
of the Spicer genealogy is found elsewhere in this work. Cornelius
Van Camp, who was a farmer and extensive dealer in cattle, was a son
of Henry D. Van Camp, who was born in Montgomery county, New
York, a farmer by occupation, and died at Stone Mills.
David A. Van Camp received his education in the common schools
of Clayton and at the Lafarge Institute. During the Civil war he en-
listed in Company H, Tenth Regiment New York Heavy Artiller}-, par-
ticipated in a number of battles, was in front of Petersburg, and served
until the close of hostilities. This regiment was composed of the First,
Second and Fourth Battalions of the Black River Artillery, raised in
the counties of Lewis and Jefferson (Eighteenth Senate District). They
were mustered into the service of the United States from September 1 1
to October 27, 1862, to serve three years. The original members were
mustered out of service June 23, 1865, and the recruits consolidated into
three companies and transferred to the Sixth New York Artillery, June
27, 1865.
David A. Van Camp married, March 19, 1868, Sylvia A. Low,
born December 31, 1846, in Clayton, New York, a daughter of John and
Eunice (Phelps) Low, a full account of whose ancestry will be found in
the sketches preceding this. Mrs. Van Camp received an excellent edu-
cation in the common school? of Clayton and Brownville, and at a pri-
vate school in Lafargeville conducted by George Strough. Four chil-
dren were the issue of this union, namely: i. Charles H., born January
10, 1869, attended the common schools of Perch River and two terms
at Antwerp Seminary, and now resides with his widowed mother at
Perch River. 2. Pitt De Elton, born April 13, 1872, educated in the
common schools of Perch River and Fort Plain Military School, which
he attended two terms, and is now located at Bisbee, North Dakota,
where he is employed as a telegraph operator on the Great Northern Rail-
road. 3. Carrie Grace, born July 6, 1877, died August 17, 1888; she
attended the common schools, and was an exceedingly bright, intelligent
and interesting child. 4. Roy David, born February i, 1886, attended
the common schools of Brownville, the Dexter high school two years,
and is now a student at Park College. Missouri, pursuing a practical
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 126
course. David A. Van Camp, father of these children, died October 17,
1901.
Taylor E. Calkins, deceased, brother-in-law of Mrs. David A. Van
Camp, was born near Perch River, New York, April 21, 1849, ^ son of
Ervin Calkins, grandson of Seth Calkins, and great-prandson of Asa-
hel Calkins, a native of New York state, died in Oswego county, and
whose wife, Lena (Savins) Calkins, bore him twelve children. Seth
Calkins married Nancy Holmes, who bore him twelve children. Ervin
Calkins was born in Canada, from whence he came to Oswego county,
New York, then removed to Jefferson county, same state, near the pres-
ent home of the widow of Taylor E. Calkins, where he conducted farm-
ing operations up to the time of his decease. He married (first) Abigail
Wright, who bore him two children, Ann Eliza and Jane, and (second)
Mary McCombs, of McCombs's Settlement, daughter of John and Mag-
dalena (Frank) McCombs, and their childrep were: Harriet, George,
who served as chaplain in the Civil war ; Henry, who served as corporal
in the Civil war and died at Antioch Church, Virginia; Hannah, Mary,
Walter, a resident of Dexter, who served in the Civil war, in Company
G, Tenth Regiment New York Heavy Artillery, married Christina E.
Lowe, daughter of Jacob and Betsey (Hancock) Lowe, of Brownville,
and their children are : George E., Eva M., and Arthur G. ; Rev. John,
a resident of Ox Bow ; Edwin, a resident of Watertown ; and Taylor E.
The surviving members of this family are Walter, John, Mrs. C. Phelps
and Edwin. The mother of these children died at the advanced age of
ninety years.
Taylor E. Calkins was reared in Perch River, attended its common
schools, a private school in the town of Adams, and Belleville Institute.
He followed farming as an occupation, and thereby gained a comfort-
able livelihood and a competency. He was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of which he was steward for many years, and was
also a member of the Masonic fraternity. On February 2, 1875, he mar-
ried Clara Van Camp, the only surviving member of a family of six
children born to Cornelius and Mercy (Spicer) Van Camp, whose deaths
occurred, respectively, April, 1859, and April 13, 1896. Cornelius Van
Camp was a farmer, and also bought cattle to quite an extent for many
years. He was a son of Henry D. Van Camp, born in Montgomery
county, who later located near where Mrs. Taylor E. Calkins now re-
sides and purchased a large tract of land, which he cultivated for a num-
ber of years. He finally removed to Stone Mills, where his death oc-
126 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
curred. Triylor E. Calkins died in the house now occupied by his widow,
in Percli River, November 27, 1903.
BYRON J. STROUGH, deceased. Energy, perseverance, enter-
prise and high moral character, were the chief characteristics in the ca-
reer of Byron J. Strough during a long and useful career. He was a
worthy representative of an honorable German ancestry. The founder
of his family in America was his great-grandfather, Baltus Strough,
who was born in the duchy of Hesse Cassel, Germany, whence he ami-
grated to America during the period of the Revolutionary war, locating
in Manheim, Herkimer county. New York, where he was among the
pioneer settlers and farmers. His wife was Catherine Ritter, who was
born in Germany m 1750, and they were the parents of ten children.
The father died at the age of fifty-one years, his wife surviving him until
T827, when she died at Little Falls, New York, at the age of seventy-
seven years.
Daniel Strough, the grandfather of Byron J. Strough, was born in
Manheim, Herkimer county. New York, January 15. 179^. His early
vears were passed upon a farm about four miles from Salisbury, New-
York. His education was limited to that afiforded by the humble dis-
trict schools of his times. In early life he learned the trade of tanner
and shoemaker, which occupations he followed in connection with farm-
ing until he had attained his sixty-fifth year. In 1820 he removed to
Jefferson county, New York, locating in the town of Theresa, where he
remained until 1854, thence removing to Orleans, where he lived until
1876, in which year he took up his residence with his son, George H.
Strough, in Clayton, New York, and where he died, August 19, 1876.
in his eighty-second year. He was formerly a Democrat, but upon the
organization of the Republican party he joined that party and acted
with it during the remainder of his life. He married Anna Wiswell,
who was born in Manheim, New York, November 15, 1797, and died
in Clayton at the age of eighty-one years. She was a daughter of Sam-
uel WisW'ell, who was born in England, a son of Benjamin Wiswell,
W'ho came to America in 1772 and located in the state of Vermont. Sam-
uel Wiswell was one of four brothers, two of w'hom were killed by the
Indians while returning to Vermont from Montreal. He was a member
of the state militia, and served as aide to General Stark. Later he set-
tled in Manheim, New York, where he died of yellow fever in 1812. He
had been married twice, his first wife having been Sally Hopkins, and
GEXE.-ILOCJCAL .IX D FAMILY HISTORY. 127
his second wife Nancy Boyer, who was the great-grandmotlier of Byron
J. Strough.
The children born to Daniel and Anna (Wiswell) Strough were as
follows: Samuel W.. of whom further hereinafter; Lucinda, died in
early childhood ; Mary K., who became the wife of Daniel Eddy and died
at the age of twenty-three; Joseph, who became a Presbyterian minister
and died in Steuben county, New York, in 1854; Nancy Ann, who be-
came the wife of James Ellwood and resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan :
Daniel, who resided near Vicksburg but now lives near Comstock, Mic'h-
igan; Eli P., who died in iSyS; Cornelia, who died in infancy; Jane, who
also died m infancy; and George H., who is a resident of Clayton. New
York.
Samuel \V. Strough, eldest child in the family last named, w^as
born near Little Falls, m Herkimer county. New York, March 21. 1817.
In 1820, when he was three years old, his parents removed to Theresa,
where he attended the common schools, and by close attention to his
studies acquired a practical education of such scope that for fifteen years
he acquitted himself most creditably as a school teacher in various towns
in the northern part of the county. He also studied law, received his
license as a practitioner, and while managing a fine farm of two hun-
dred and twelve acres performed a large amount of legal work, drawing
up wills, contracts and agreements and acting as executor and administra-
tor for many valuable estates. He was a man of broad intelligence and ex-
cellent business ability, and he was chosen by his fellow townsmen to fill
various offices of honor and trust, among them those of justice of the
peace, town superintendent, etc. He served as president of the Jefferson
County Agricultural Society, in which he always took and active and in-
telligent interest and he w-as largely instrumental in procuring the building
of the railroad from Theresa to Clayton. He died, universally regretted,
beloved by all who knew him, June 25, 1876, having come to his death by
a bolt of lightning. By his marriage with Emeline Tallman he became
the father of four children: i. Byron J., to be further written of. 2.
Elnora L., deceased, who became the wife of W. A. Snyder. 3. Lucien
S., a resident of Lafargeville. 4. Perrin A., a resident of Lafargeville.
Mrs. Strough was born in Schuyler, New York, October 17, 1821, and
long survived her husband, dying June 21. 1903, at the age of eighty-
two years. She was a daughter of Abraham and Phila (Eddy) Tall-
man. Her father was a son of William and Rhoda (Aikin) Tallman,
and was a pioneer settler of Orleans, New York, a farmer by occupation.
1^8 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
and died in November, 1884, at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife,
Phila Eddy, born in Orleans, lived to the same age as did her husband.
They were the parents of three children, one of who^m is living at the
present time — Louisa, wife of Eugene Howland, of Watertown, New
York.
Byron J. Strough, eldest child of Samuel W. and Emeline (Tall-
man) Strough, was born in Theresa, New York, February 6, 1844. He
secured an excellent education, after passing through the common
schools entering Theresa Academy, from which he was graduated in
1859. In November of the same year, at the early age of fifteen, he
accepted a position as school teacher, and he developed such genuine
ability for this calling that he followed it for a period of thirteen years,
meantime (in 1866) taking the examination for which he received a
state teacher's certificate^ an honor rarely accorded at that time. He
taught successfully in the towns of Clayton, Depauville, Lafargeville
and Theresa, and would undoubtedly have distinguished himself in edu-
cational circles had he cared to continue in the work. In 1872, however,
he entered into partnership with his brother, Lucien S. Strough, and
they purchased the drug and grocery business then conducted by Clark
B. Bushnell, m the Bushnell Block, Lafargeville, and which they suc-
cessfully conducted until 1886, when they disposed of it. Early in the
'70's the brothers inaugurated a hay and grain buying and shipping busi-
ness, which they made the most extensive of its kind in Jefiferson county.
Byron J. Strough was actively identified with this enterprise until his
death, since which time it has been continued by his brother and his
widow. Mr. Strough made an honorable record and a high reputation
as a business man among the hundreds of people with whom the firm had
dealings.
Byron J. Strough labored conscientiously and zealously in behalf of
the betterment of the community, advancing its material and moral in-
terests by all means in his power. His ability and worth is best dis-
cerned in the fact that, while the town of Orleans is normally Repub-
lican by what is considered a safe majority, and Mr. Strough was a
stanch Democrat, the people regarded his political affiliations as of such
slight consequence when compared with his splendid character and great
capability, that they elected him to membership in the board of super-
visors at sixteen consecutive annual elections. When he was first elected
supervisor his town was heavily in debt and involved in litigation grow-
ing out of the building of the railroad, but before he retired this was
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 129
ended and the debt wiped out. He was regarded as the ablest man on
the board of supervisors during his term of service. In that body he was
never known to champion an unjust measure, and was a vigorous op-
ponent of anything that was not for the best interests of the county.
He was a stockholder in the Exchange Bank of Clayton, and in the Jef-
ferson County National Bank, of which he was also a director. He held
high rank in the Masonic fraternity throughout the state, in which he
held various of the most important positions. February 28, 1866, he
became afifiliated with Theresa Lodge No. 174, F. and A. M., and in
1868 was demitted to Lafargeville Lodge, in which he was the follow-
ing year elected master, a position to which he was re-elected for twenty
consecutive years, and he was for six years district deputy grand master
of the sixteenth Masonic district. He was also a member of Theresa
Chapter, R. A. M., Watertown Commandery, K. T., and he held member-
ship in all the Scottish rite bodies up to and including the thirty-second
degree, and was a noble in Media Temple, Mystic Shrine. He was for
eleven years trustee of the Hall and Asylum Fund of the Masonic order in
the state of New York, also served as its vice-president and president, and
at the time of his death was treasurer. The work of building, furnish-
ing and maintaining the Masonic Home at Utica was something that he
was greatly interested in, and he gave it much time and thought. No
member of the board had a better conception of what such a home should
be and how it should be conducted, and his services have been highly
appreciated, not only by his fellow members of the board, but by the
fraternity at large. He was for many years a member of the order of
Odd Fellows.
On June 12, 1867, Mr. Strough married Miss L. Marie Ford, who
was born in Orleans, New York, December 27, 1847, a daughter of
the Rev. Lewis T. Ford. Mr. Ford was born in Eaton, Madison county.
New York, son of John Ford, who married Lucy Rich, in Connecticut,
and the couple, with Reuben Rich, brother of Mrs. Ford, emigrated to
Madison county. New York, about 1836. ' Mr. Ford worked upon his
father's farm and in his mill until he came to manhood, receiving only
a common school education. After arriving at his majority, through his
own exertions he supported himself as a student at Madison (now
Colgate) University, graduated from the theological department, and
was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist church. At the age of
twenty-one he married Miss Arminda Stetson, of Cooperstown, New
York. Entering upon ministerial work, he had charge of a church in
130 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Peterlxjrough, New York, tlic home of Gerritt Smith, who was a member
of his churclT,and became a Hfelong friend. He was pastor of the Bap-
tist church in Lafargeville in 1838; about 1841 at Watertown. whence
he went to Parishville, St. Lawrence county, New York, and remained
in that county about four years, returning about 1845 to Lafargeville,
where he remained until his death. He was a man of great energy and
force of character. He left surviving him four children, all of whom
reside in Lafargeville: W. F. Ford, an attorney-at-law ; L. Marie
Strough, widow of Byron J. Strough ; William G. Ford, and Charles
H. Ford, the present supervisor. Of his brothers and sisters, John Ford
settled in Diana, Lewis county. New York; Gilson Ford settled in Ohio;
Guilford Ford remained in Madison county; Marie Rowell, a sister,
resided in Wisconsin, and was the mother of thirteen children; Matilda
Vincent resides in Wisconsin. Of his wife's relatives, Jesse Stetson
left a large num1:)er of descendants, prominent among whom were Dr.
Ezra Stetson, of Peoria, Illinois, and Mrs. Hannah Van Court, who
resides in St. Louis.
Mr. Strough died at Iiis home in Lafargeville, New York, April 24,
1904, after a long illness, in the sixty-first year of his age. His death
was regarded as a personal loss by the entire community, which held
him in honor and affection for his lofty character, magnetic personality,
and usefulness of life. The funeral of Mr. Strough was held from his
residence in Lafargeville, and was conducted by Watertown Commandery,
Knights Templar. Nearly every Masonic lodge and chapter in Jefifer-
son county and some in adjoining counties were represented in the large
gathering of the fraternity to pay the last respects to a beloved member.
Lafargeville Lodge of Odd Fellows also attended in a body. At the
cemetery, where several hundred people assembled, the Templars' burial
service was conducted by Eminent Sir Charles D. Bingham, Grand Com-
mander of Knights Templar in this state. The pallbearers were George
L. Davis, Emmett Green, H. L. Mills, George Hatch. F. M. Galloway
and C. J. Bellinger, all members of Watertown Commandery.
The trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, at a meeting
held in the Masonic Hall in the city of New York, May 5, 1904, adopted
the following resolutions with reference to the death of Mr. Strough :
"Whereas, this board has suffered an almost irreparable loss through
the recent de!ath of Right Worshipful Byron J. Strough, and
"Whereas, its members are desirous of placing on record a minute
expression of their appreciation of Bro. Strough's long and valuable
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 131
services to the craft, as well as their individual sense of personal loss
through his demise, and their esteem and affection for him as a man;
therefore, be it
"Resolved, That in the death of Right Worshipful Byron J. Strough
this board recognizes the fact that it has lost a most faithful, intelligent
and indefatigable worker, and the craft at large a true exemplar of the
eternal principles of our order; an upright man and Mason; a square
stone in the Temple of Masoniy; a true friend and brother of our fra-
ternal circle, beloved by all with whom he came in contact; whose work
will live after him and whose memory will long be perpetuated ; and, be
it further
"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread in full upon the min-
utes of the board, and a copy thereof, suitably engrossed, transmitted by
its secretary to the family of otir late brother."
At a special meeting of Lafargeville Lodge No. 171, F. and A. M.,
held at their rooms April 2y, 1904, the following preamble and resolu-
tions were adopted :
"Whereas, Again the bonds of our fraternity are severed and the
ties that bound us to a worthy brother are rudely broken. One who has
been long with us in our Order in scenes of pleasure and sorrow, and
who has been honored as a man and a Mason, who has by fidelity to
the trusts confided to his keeping reached high and distinguished honors
in the craft, has been summoned by the Grand Master of the Universe
to the Grand Lodge on High. As the Worthy Master of this Lodge for
twenty years, as the honored representative of the Grand Master in this
Masonic district, as the trustee and treasurer of the Hall and Asylum
Fund for eleven years, he has been true to the trusts confided to his care.
As a brother, a true friend, one whose counsel we revered, who wrought
well for the good of our Order, will his memory be cherished by the
brethren of this Lodge.
"Therefore, be it resolved, that by the death of our brother, Byron
J. Strough, this Lodge has lost one who has been a bright and shining
light in our midst, and one who has honored our Lodge by his presence.
A wise counselor has fallen and we as brethren mourn his loss and revere
his memory.
"Resolved, That to the family of our brother we have little of this
world's consolation to offer, but commend them to the loving mercies of
Him who doeth all things well.
"Resolved, That our Lodge be draped in mourning, and a copy of
these resolutions be sent to the family of our brother and to the press
for publication, and spread on the minutes of the Lodge.
Lafargeville Lodge No. 820, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
adopted the following resolutions :
"Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty to remove from our fraternal
132 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
circle our belo\-ed l)rother, Byron J. Strough, thereby reminding us that
in the midst of Hfe we are in death, and it is our duty to perpetuate the
virtues of tiiose who were so laborious with us in advancing the interests
of our noble Order; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That in the death of Brother Byron J. Strough, Lafarge-
ville Lodge No. 820, I. O. O. F., has lost a member who had the love
and friendship of our fraternal circle, and whose memory will ever be
respected.
"Resolved. That we tender to the family and friends of our deceased
brother our heartfelt sympathy in the great loss they have sustained by
the severing of the links which bound them in ties of friendship and
love to our brother who has crossed the dark river, called hence to be
no more seen, and where he will have rest from his labors ever more.
"Resolved, That our charter be draped in mourning for thirty days ;
that a copy of these resolutions be engrossed and presented to the family
of our late brother, and that they also be spread upon the minutes of
the meeting held April 28, 1904."
The following tribute was inscribed upon the minutes of the direc-
tors of the Jefferson County National Bank :
"Mr. Strough has been a member of this board for nearly fifteen
years — was of constant and great service to the bank. His advice was
as sound as it was positive and clear, and there was no uncertain note
in his conservatism. A wide business and political experience had de-
veloped in him a keen critical faculty and a prudence that contributed
largely to the safeguarding of the bank's interests. The members of
the board regret his loss not only as that of a valued official, but as of
a warm, sincere and loyal personal friend."
Mr. Strough was survived by his widow, Mrs. L. Marie (Ford)
Strough, and two Brothers, Lucien S. and Perrin A. Strough, all of
Lafargeville.
hi ELD. This name is a vei'v ancient one, and can be traced back
to the conquest of England by William the Norman. Probably not a
dozen families in England can prove so great an antiquity. The name
is one of those derived from locality. Burke states that this family was
originally in Alsace (then part of French now of German territory),
seated at the Chateau de la Feld (of the field), near Colmar (German,
Kolmar), from the darkest of the middle ages. Hubertus de la Feld
was the first of the line that emigrated to England, and in 1069, was
enrolled as the owner of lands by gift of the Conqueror, as compensation
for military service, in the county of Lancaster. He was of the Counts de
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY LIISTORY. 133
!a Feld, ot Colniar. In tlie fourteenth century, because of the wars with
France, the French prefixes were dropped, and the name thereafter
written Field.
(I) Roger del Feld, born in Sowerby, England, about 1240, was
a descendant of Sir Hubertus, and head of the family which settled in
Lancashire and Kent counties.
(II) Thomas, son of Roger, was born about 1278. in Sowerby,
and was a jeweler there in 1307.
(III) John, son of Thomas, was born in 1300, in Sowerby, and
had land there in 1336.
(IV) Thomas, son of John, was born 1330, in Sowerby, and
was constable there in 1365, and greave in 1370, and also filled other
public offices. His wife's name was Annabelle,
(V) Thomas, son of Thomas and Annabelle Feld, was born 1360,
and wdled lands to his wife, Isabel, in the territory of Bynglay. To his
son, Robert, he willed lands in the villa and territory of Bradford. He
died in 1429, at his residence in Bradford.
(VI) William, son of Thomas and Isabel Feld, was born, probably,
in Bradford, and died in April, 1480, at Bradford. His wife, Katherine,
was administratrix of his estate.
(VII) William, son of William and Ivatherine Feld, was born in
Bradford, and lived in East Ardsley.
(VIII) Richard Felde, son of William Feld, was born, probably,
in East Ardsley, where he was a husbandman, and died December, 1542.
His wife, Elizabeth, was one of his executors.
(IX) John Field, son of Richard and Elizabeth Felde, was born
about 1535, at East Ardsley, and married, in 1560, Jane Amyas, daugh-
ter of John. She died August 30, 1609, and he died May, 1587. He was
an eminent astronomer, and introduced into England, in 1557, the Co-
pernican system, against the opposition of scientists of his day, and in
recognition of this service to the science of astronomy a sphere was
later added to and surmounted the family coat of arms.
(X) John, son of John and Jane Field, was born about 1568, in
Ardsley, and moved away before attaining his majority. Record of his
death has not been found.
(XI) Zechariah Field, grandson of John Field, the astronomer,
American ancestor of the Field family, was born in 1596, at East Ards-
ley, Yorkshire, England. The Field family has usually taken the liberal
side of religious and political questions, and in 1629 Zechariah Field left
13i GEXEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
England on account of the persecution of the dissenters, and landed in
Boston, settling at Dorchester. In 1636 he was one of Rev. Thomas
Hooker's congregation, which settled at Hartford, Connecticut. With
the more liberal members of that church he removed to Northampton,
Alassachusetts, in 1659. He was engaged in mercantile business, and
had a large trade with the Indians. He was one of the original twenty-
five proprietors of Hatfield, same colony, and was a member of the com-
mittee which laid out the lands. He received a grant of land there in
1661, and resided there until his death, June 30, 1666. He was mar-
ried about 1641, and his wife Mary died about 1670. Their children
were : Mary, Zachariah, John, Samuel and Joseph.
(XII) Zachariah, eldest son and second child of Zechariah and
Mary Field, was born about 1645, at Hartford. He was married, De-
cember ly, 1668, to Sarah Webb, daughter of John Webb, of Northamp-
ton. In 1672 he went to Deerfield. and died there in 1674. His estate
inventoried one hundred and eighty-five pounds, seventeen shillings and
six pence. His widow subsequently married Robert Price, and was mas-
sacred, with her husband and others, in Deerfield. July 29, 1704. The
children of Zachariah and Sarah (Webb) Field were: Zachariah, Eben-
ezer and John.
(XIII) John, youngest child of Zachariah and Sarah (Webb)
Field, was born December 8, 1673, in Deerfield, and married, November
9, 1696, Mary Bennett, daughter of James and Mary (Broughton) Ben-
nett, of Northampton and Northfield. She was one of those carried in
captivity by the Indians to Canada, in 1704, and was ransomed and re-
turned the followmg year, with her son John. A daughter, Mary, was
captured and also taken to Canada with the mother, and was adopted into
an Indian family and given the name of Walahowey. She married an
Indian chief, and subsequently visited her relatives in Connecticut, ac-
companied by her husband. While the latter was willing to remain there
she refused to do so, and they returned to their wild life. Another
daughter, Sarah, was killed by the Indians at the same time the others
were taken.
About 1710 John Yield removed, with his family, to East Guilford,
Connecticut, and thence to Coventry or Stafford, same state, where he
died in February, 1718. Flis will mentions his wife and children. The
latter were: Mary, John, Sarah, Pedajah, Bennett and Sarah (2).
(XIV) Bennett, youngest son of John and Mary (Bennett) Field,
was hciru Dccer.iner 13. 1709, in Deerfield, Massachusetts, and was mar-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 135
ried December i8, 1734, to Elizabeth Spafford, daughter of Thomas and
Bethiah Spafford, of Lebanon, Connecticut. She was born April 9,
1715, and died November 20, 1772. He bought land in Lebanon No-
vember 21, 1733, and was admitted to the church there in 1736. He
moved to Mansfield, same state, in 1740, and died there April 6, 1770.
His children were: Mary, Betsey, Lucy, Elizabeth, Huldah, Sarah,
Bethia, Hannah, Amos, Bennett, Samuel and Elijah.
(XV) Elijah, twelfth and youngest child of Bennett and Eliza-
beth (Spafford) Field, was born April 20, 1756, in Mansfield, and
was married, January 26, 1774, to Ta,mson Crane, daughter of Hezekiah
Crane, of Mansfield. In the same year he settled in Woodstock, Ver-
mont, where he was engaged in clearing and tilling land. He was a
drummer in the Revolutionary army, through the struggle. In 1806 he
removed with his family to Hounsfield, in this county, where he took up a
large tract of land lying in the towns of Watertown and Hounsfield, and
the district has since been known as Field's settlement. He had twelve
children, several of whom were then married, all of whom then made Jef-
ferson county their home. The oldest of them lived until the youngest
had grandchildren. Three of the sons were clergymen, and one of them,
Rev. Lebbeus Field, founded the Christian church at East Hounsfield.
Their names were as follows : Hezekiah, Elijah, Philip Crane, Lebbeus,
Thaddeus, Tamson, Filana, Hannah, Alpheus, Spafford, Samuel and
Bennett. Elijah Field died in October, 1828, in his seventy-third year.
(XVI) Spafford, seventh son and tenth child of Elijah and Tam-
son (Crane) Field, was born April 10, 1790, in Woodstock, Vermont,
and was sixteen years old when he came to Jeft'erson county. He was
married, in 1810, to Hannah Mariah Resseguie, daughter of Daniel and
Mary (Monroe) Resseguie (see Resseguie). She was born in 1790, at
Charlton or Northampton, New York, and died December 25, 1813.
Her only child, Mary, is the wife of Nathaniel Warren Green, residing
at Richmond, Pennsylvania. Mr. Field married (second) Alice, daugh-
ter of Abram Moore. She died March 16, 1859, leaving a son, Safford
Ehjah.
Abram Moore was a Revolutionary soldier, entering the army at
Cambridge, at the age of eighteen years, and continued with Washing-
ton's army to the close of the w^ar. Spafford Field died August 24, 1870,
on his farm in Hounsfield, in his eighty-first year. He was an old-time
Democrat, and among the first supporters of the Republican party. He
136 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY, f
was a member of the Christian church of East Hounsfield, and was a
hisjhly respected citizen.
(XVII) SafTford EHjah, son of Spafford and Alice (Moore) Field,
was born December 27, 1828, in the town of Hounsfield, where he lived
until his retirement m old age, and was one of the leading farmers and
best citizens. Possessed of musical ability, he was several years a mem-
ber of the local cornet band. In 1889 he went to live with his son in the
city of Watertown, where he died April 8, 1898. He was a member
and trustee of the Christian church of East Hounsfield, and kept the
postoffice there several years. From its origin he was one of the loyal
supporteis of the Republican party. A man of remarkably genial and
social nature, warm-hearted and loyal, he was a valued friend, and en-
joyed the esteem of those who knew him best. He entertained none of
the social vices, and held to rigid standards of personal purity and moral
uprightness.
Safford E. Field was married, January 17, 1850, to Phebe, daugh-
ter of Leonard and Eunice (Knowlton) Allen, of Hounsfield, who was
born 1^'ebruary 25, 1829, and now resides in Watertown. Two children
completed the family, Brayton Allen and Carrie. The latter, born Feb-
ruary 27, 1861, was married, in 1883, to Rev. George E. Merrill, a grad-
uate of Syracuse University, and recently pastor of Grace Christian
church, of St. Johnsville, this state, and now in charge of a Congrega-
tional church at Vermillion, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have a daugh-
ter, Mattie M.
Leonard Allen was a son of Ebenezer Allen, who came from Hart-
land. Vermont, in 1806, with a large family, and settled in Hounsfield.
Eunice, wife of Leonard Allen, was the first white female born in the
town of Brownville, this county.
(XVIII) Brayton Allen Field, only son of Saf¥ord and Phebe
(.Allen) Field, was born March 18, 1853, in Hounsfield, and spent his
early life there. He was educated in the district schoois, the Watertown
high school and Dartmouth College, graduating from the high school
in 1873, as valedictorian of his class. In 1878 he received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, from Dartmouth, with honors. During much of his
course in the high school he lived at home, working nights and morn-
ings, and driving to Watertown, five miles, each day to attend school.
He was in school during the fall and winter terms, working on the farm
the remainder of the year. He thus acquired habits of industry, perse-
verance and cconomv. the best assets of vouth — the farm affording the
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 137
b€St place to acquire them. At that time there were no local public libra-
ries and but few available books, and in his thirst for knowledge he read
everything within his reach.
During the two years following his graduation at Dartmouth,
he taught school, and with his earnings paid up the indebtedness in-
curred in completing his college education. In the first year he was
principal of the Proctor Academy, at Andover, New Hampshire, and
the second year was spent in the public schools of the city of Watertown,
meanwhile taking up the study of law in the office of O'Brien & Emer-
son. On account of failmg health he was obliged to give up his studies
for a time, but later resumed them in the same office. He was admitted
to the bar, as attorney and counselor at law, April 20, 1886, and has
since pursued his profession in the city of Watertown, where he has
built up a large and lucrative general practice. During the summer of
1904 Mr. Field was called upon to act for the city judge, and acquitted
himself after the manner of a competent jurist.
His ambition has never been for political preferment, but for pro-
ficiency and excellence in his profession. On April i, 1902, he admitted
to partnership Mr. Mason M. Swan (see Swan), an able and successful
young attorney, and the business has since been conducted under the
style of Field & Swan. He was for many years a member of the East
Hounsfield Christian church, and is now a member oi the Universalist
church of Watertown, and affiliates with Corona Lodge No. 705, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1891 he built his handsome home,
at the corner of Ten Eyck and Holcomb streets, which was among tne
first in the city to be heated by hot water. All of the interior finish, ex-
cept the doors, is of timber from the ancestral farm in Hounsfield, which
he owns. While not a politician, Mr. Field entertains fixed ideas, but is
not active in their promulgation, though a sound Republican, and has
done some active work in non-partisan judicial campaigns. He takes
the active interest in local affairs which attests the good citizen, and the
interest in general afifairs that belongs to the intelligent observer.
He was married, April 27, 1881, to Nettie E. Thompson, born
January 9, 1858, in Watertown, daughter of the late Judge William C.
Thompson, and Antoinette N. Chittenden, his wife, daughter of the late
Judge Thomas Chittenden, of Adams. Of this very happy marriage
have been born four sons and two daughters, as follows : Nellie Louise,
December 8, 1884; Allen Safford, June 18, 1886; William Thompson,
August 15, 1888; Arthur Chittenden, January i, 1891, died March 3,
138 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HLSTOKY.
1901; Brayton Wallace, October 26, 1892; and Irene Antoinette, July
26, i(S94. The eldest son is now a student in the art course of Cornell
University.
The Field family has an honorable record in England, and in Amer-
ica as well, where it has furnished many distinguished in civil, military,
ecclesiastic, literary and business lines. A large number of the soldiers
of the Revolution bore the name, and a few well known are deserving
of especial mention, as Marshall Field, of Chicago, the greatest dry
goods dealer in the world ; Eugene Field, late of the same city, noted as
a poet and friend of children; Cyrus W. Field, originator and builder of
the first Atlantic cable, and Justice Stephen J. Field, of the United States
supreme court.
The subject of the last article (XVIII) partakes of the qualities
which have made his family prominent in history. Of genial nature, he
makes and retains friendships, and is admired and respected as a citizen,
as well as an able lawyer. He is above the medium stature, and carries
himself with dignity and aplomb, while his affability and natural kind-
ness of heart make him welcome in any circle. The honored name which
he hears is safe in his care.
MOFFETT. The Moffett family of this county is descended from
a long line of ancestors who were among the earlier settlers in the col-
onies and who helped in many ways in the settlement and formation of
this great country. Their names may be found among the members of
important committees, in church formations and on the rolls of those
who served in the various wars in which the New England colonies were
involved. The name has been spelled in many different ways — Moffat,
Moffatt, Moffitt, Muffitt, Morphet, Muffit, and the present manner, which
is the most common in this vicinity, Moffett. The original name was
spelled Moffat, the same as the town in Scotland. No doubt the family
was originally Scotch, but lines have always come through northern
Ireland, the temporary home of many Scotch people, who were the chief
settlers of that section.
(I) The first of this branch in this country was William Moffat,
who appears first on records at Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1686. He
was married about 1691, to Mehetable, surname unknown, born in 1674,
according to the record of her death, which says: "Died 3d May, 1754,
aged 80." He removed to Killingly, Connecticut, in 1708, and was
baptized and admitted to the church there October 13, 1734. His death
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. K39
occurred January i6. 1741, in Killingly. All except the youngest of
his eight children were born in Newbury.
(II) Joseph Moffat, son of William, was born July 11, 1703, and
was married abaut 1728-9, his wife's name being Mary. He was admit-
ted to the church June 24, 1733, and removed to Sturbridge, Massa-
chusetts, a short distance up the Ouinnebaug river, where Joseph Moffat
was a town officer in 1740. He had twelve children.
(III) Joseph (2), son of Joseph (i) and Mary Moffat, was born
July 2, 1738, in Sturbridge, which indicates approximately the time of
his father's settlement in that town. Joseph Moffat (2) was educated
for a physician and located in Brimfield, farther up the Ouinnebaug,
where he was successfully engaged in practice for many years. He
fought in the French and Indian war, was an officer in the Revolutionary
war, and was town clerk in 1779-84. He was on many important com-
mittees, especially during the Revolution; was assessor in 1772-92, a
period of twenty years; was representative to the general court in 1782;
selectman in 1793, 1798-9, 1800-1-2; treasurer in 1798; taught school
in 1768-9-70. One record shows the pay of Sergeant Major Joseph
Moffat to have been four pounds six shillings and eight pence, and
other records show service at various times. He was married June 3,
1762, to Margaret Bliss, who was a descendant in the sixth generation
of Ichabod Bliss. Mr. and Mrs. Moffat had four children. Margaret
Moffat died November 4, 1771, and Mr. Moffat married, second, De-
cember 10, 1772, Lois Haynes, by whom he had four children. He died
August 12, 1802.
(IV) Joseph (3), son of Joseph and Margaret (Bliss) Moffat,
was born August 8, 1769, in Brimfield, Massachusetts, was graduated
from Dartmouth College in 1793, read law and is supposed to have
opened an office in Peacham, Vermont. In 1802 he moved to Danville,
same state, was a druggist there, and representative in the legislature
in 1804, and returned to Brimfield in 1807. In the meantime he had
prepared for the practice of medicine, which he continued some years.
He moved to New Woodstock, Madison county. New York, where he
died April 3, 1820, in the fifty-second year of his age. He became a
member of the Madison County Medical Society (Allopathic) July 29,
1817, and was, probably, the first physician in New Woodstock. He
was married in 1797, to Mary Sargent, of an old New England family,
the generations of her ancestors being: i, Hugh; 2, Roger: 3, William;
4, John: 5, Jonathan; 6, Jonathan: 7, Phineas. She was born May 27,
140 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
1774, in Leicester, Massachusetts, and died January 13, 1830, and was
buried at Homer, Cortland county, New York. She was the mother of
eleven children. Following is a fac-simile of the inscription on the tomb-
stone of Dr. Moffat, in New Woodstock :
" Doc. Joseph Moffet
died April 3rd, 1820
in the 52nd year of his age.
His mind was tranquil & serene
No terror in his looks were seen.
His Saviour smild, dispeld the gloom
-'\nd smoth.d his passage to the toomb."
(V) Charles Denny Moffett was born April 27, 1813, in New
Woodstock, Madison county, this state, and was left fatherless at the
age of seven years. He had to start out for himself at an early age,
and the following, written by himself, covers his early efforts: "The
year 1826 I went to Homer to live, and worked at the harness business,
and continued to work there and at Cortland village until the year 1828.
I left Homer and went from there to Chittenango, and worked there
for a Mr. Haight about six months, and then hired out for a year, to
a Mr. A. F. Randall, and continued with him two years." About 1829
he was led to begin the Christian life which marked the rest of his days.
About 1832 he went to Paris Hill, Oneida county, removing thence to
Rodman, Jefferson county, where Mr. Moffett carried on the harness
and saddlery business. He paticipated actively in local affairs, and held
a number of offices, among them that of justice of the peace, in which
he served for many years. In 1854, with his family, excepting the
eldest son, he went to Cedar county, Iowa, and returned the same year,
preferring their old home to such a sparsely settled country, Mr. Mof-
fett and his wife were among the organizers and leading members of
the Methodist Episcopal church in Rodman. In 1870 he retired from
business and moved to Watertown and, after a year or two, he and his
wife went to make their home with their son, John F. Moffett. Charles
D. Moffett died November 28, 1880, and was survived by his wife
until October 20, 1894. They were married June 20, 1830, at Chitte-
nango, the maiden name of Mrs. Moffett being Emily Hayman Knollin.
She was born June 26, 1809, near Dartmouth, Devonshire, England, a
daughter of Richard and granddaughter of Richard Knollin. She came
to .America with her father's family in 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Moffett were
the parents of seven children — Joseph Knollin, a resident of Watertown,
Charles Wesley, Emily Maria, William Henry (died young), John
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 1-tl
Fletcher, Emma Missouri (wife of Harris Barnum, of Rockford, Illi-
nois, died in 1903), and Frances Amelia (Mrs. Homer H. Rice, died
in 1901).
(VI) John Fletcher Moffett, fourth son and fifth child of Charles
D. and Emily H. (Knollin) Moffett, was born April 15, 1841, at Paris
Hill, Oneida county. New York. He received his education in the com-
mon schools and at the Jefferson County Institute, and in. i860 was
employed in the National Bank and Loan Company of Watertown, where
he remained about five years. In 1866 he helped to organize the Mer-
chants' Bank, in which he was thereafter a stockholder and director,
and in which he held until 1880 the office of cashier. He then became
a contractor for waterworks, electric lights, street railroads and telephone
lines. In this undertaking he was signally successful, building railroads
and waterworks, establishing communication by telephone and introduc-
ing the benefits of electric lighting in one hundred different towns and
cities, and visiting almost every state in the Union and also' Canada.
Such is the energy of Mr. Moffett's character that the demands of
his chosen calling, great as they are, have proved insufficient for its
exercise, and various other enterprises have reaped the benefit of the
impetus w hich he never fails to impart to any undertaking with
which he may be associated. From 1864 to 1869 he was president of
the board of water commissioners and in 1875 acted as treasurer of the
Watertown Manufacturers' Aid Association, which was dissolved at the
end of two years. On the organization of the Watertown board of trade
in 1889 he became one of the directors. In 188 1 he was one of the
incorporators of the Central Park Association of Alexandria, and he
was for a time city treasurer of Watertown. It is to him in part that the
city is indebted for its Young Men's Christian Association, of which he
was one of the incorporators and in which he held for one year the
office of president. He is a member of the State Street Methodist Epis-
copal church, in which for many years he served as steward.
Mr. Moffett married in January, 1862, Frances P., daughter of
Enoch L. Todd, who was a son of one of the early settlers of the town
of Rodman (see Todd, IX). Of the seven children born tO' Mr. and
Mrs. Moffett five are living: Charles T., who resides in Chicago; Jean-
nette T., who is engaged in university settlement work in New York;
Grace E., who is the wife of Louis S. Lansing; Frances S., who married
Frank H. Coyne, of Chicago; and Earle Mortimer, who is studying
forestry at Biltmore. North Carolina. Mrs. Moffett, who is active in
U-2 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
good works, is one of tb.e directresses of the Jefferson County Orphan
Asylum.
(III) Aquilla Mofl'att, son of Joseph (i) and Mary Moffat, was
born about 1740, in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and settled in North
Adams, Massachusetts. He served in the French and Indian wars, and,
in old age, moved to Plainfield, New York, where he died. He had four
sons and two daugliters. namely: Isaac, Alexander Conkey, Alanson,
Melvin, Mary and Mehetable.
(IV) Alexander Conkey Moffatt was born in 1771, in North
Adams, Massachusetts, whence he moved to Otsego county, New York,
and in 1818 came to Brownville, where he settled on a farm. He mar-
ried Olive Hin'man, by whom he was the father of the following chil-
dren: I. Aquilla, mentioned at length hereinafter. 2. Persis. 3.
Jonathan. 4. Hosea, who married Julia, daughter of Benjamin and
Julia (Taylor) Prior, of Brownville, and had two children — James S.
and Bruce; the former married Nancy, daughter of Richard and Mary
(Avery) Buckminster, and their children are Charles E. and Gertrude
C. 5. Olivia. 6. Orlando. 7. Ann. 8. Alexander C. 9. Reuben H.
Mr. Mofifatt, the father of this family, died in 1841, in Brownville. He
was among the best of the pioneer citizens, and one to whom the town-
ship owes much.
(V) Aquilla Moffatt, eldest son of A. Conkey and Olive (Hinman)
Mofifatt, was born in 1796, in Plainfield, New York, but early in life be-
came a resident of Brownville, where the remainder of his days was
passed. He married Alice Pattie/who was born in 1800, and they were
the parents of nine children: David, mentioned at length hereinafter;
Persis, George, Betsey, Susan, Samuel, Jane, Myra, James. Mrs. Moffatt
died in 1869, and her husband passed away a few years before.
(VI) David Moffatt, son of Aquilla and Alice (Pattie) Moffatt.
was born October 3, 1820, in Brownville. where he was educated in the
common schools. From early youth he was engaged in agricultural
pursuits, in which he was very successful, having a fine farm of three
hundred and fifty acres which he cultivated in the most thorough and
scientific manner. He was also for a number of years the proprietor of
a grist mill. He was active in the duties of citizenship and served two
terms as assessor. His political affiliations were with the Republican
party.
Mr. Moffatt married Rachael, daughter of Samuel and Effie (Car-
son) Knapp. The former was born in 1800. in Mayfield. but spent the
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 143
greater part of his life in Brownville. He and his wife (who was born
in 1801, were the parents of the following children: Solomon, John,
Benjamin, David, Jacob, Hiram, Rachael, who was born in 1825, in
Mayfield, and became the wife of David Mofifatt, as mentioned above;
Sarah, Hannah. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp, who were both respected mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, are now deceased.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt :
Frances, who married W. Timmerman, of Dexter, and is now deceased ;
Jay, who is also deceased ; Wells, who resides in Watertown ; Ida, John
and Austin, all of whom are deceased ; Ella, who became the wife of
John Jackson; Willis, who lives in Black River; Kate, who married
Charles Swartoutt ; Mary, who is deceased ; and Edwin, mentioned at
length hereinafter. Mr. Mofifatt, the father, a man respected by all, died
in 1872, while yet in the prime of life. His widow, who is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, is still living at an advanced age.
She resides with her daughter in Dexter.
(Vn) Edwin Mofifatt, son of David and Rachael (Knapp) Moffatt,
was born November 13, 1847, in Brownville, where he received his edu-
cation. He assisted his father on the farm until the death of the latter,
when the entire management of the estate passed into the hands of Mr.
Mofifatt, who completed the purchase of the farm, buying out the interest
of the other heirs, thus becoming sole owner of the property. Under
his energetic and highly competent management the farm, which is the
largest in the town of Brownville, was rendered extremely productive
and profitable, having attached to it a dairy of forty-six cows, by means
of which the owner engaged extensively in the business of butter making.
He was appointed a member of the Produce Exchange, and for five years
acted as salesman of Pillar Point Union factory, selling, each year, about
one thousand two hundred boxes of cheese of seventy pounds each.
In 1901 Mr. Mofifatt resigned the management of the farm into the hands
of his sons, by whom its deservedly high reputation has been most ably
maintained, the broad acres being thoroughly cultivated, and the dairy
having increased to the number of fifty cows. Mr. MofTatt is a member
of Chaumont Grange. He takes an active interest in the afifairs of the
township, and his neighbors have frequently testified in a pleasing man-
ner to the confidence which they repose in him. For two years he served
as assessor, and in 1901 was elected supervisor. In 1903 he was re-
elected to serve until 1905. In politics he adheres to the doctrines and
principles of the Republicans. He is a mem.ber of the Presbyterian
church of Dexter, and a Constant attendant upon public worship.
lU GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
church of Dexter, and a constant attendant upon pubhc worship.
Mr. Moffatt married, in 1871, Ahce G. ColHns, and the following
children were born to them: i. Horace, who died at the age of eighteen
months. 2. Harry, who was one year old at the time of his death.
3. Sarah, who married Charles Adams and is the mother of two chil-
dren, Niles and Irene. Mr. and Mrs. Adams reside on one of Mr.
Moffatt's farms. 4. Susy, who resides at home. 5. Daniel, who also
lives on one of the farms owned by Mr. Mofifatt. Since his retirement
from the active labors of the farm Mr. Moffatt has made his home in
Limerick. Mrs. Moffatt died March 10, 1904, at her home there. She
was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her and her friends
were legion. She had been ill but one week with typhoid pneumonia.
Mrs. Mofifatt was a daughter of Thomas and Martha (Hamblin)
Collins, the former a farmer of Orleans. He and his wife were the
parents of the following children: Alice G., who was born in 1850,
in Orleans, and became the wife of Edwin Moffatt, as mentioned above;
Addie, who married Rodolphus Hoover; Charles, who is a resident of
Clayton ; and Elizabeth, who lives with her mother at Stone Mills. In
addition to these children who are living there was another who is now
deceased. Mr. Collins, the father, died in 1901, in Brownville, where
his whole life had been passed, and where he left behind him the name of
an upright man and a good citizen.
Thomas Collins was a son of John B. Collins, an early resident of
what is now Orleans, and an active and prominent citizen, who was
supervisor of the town in 1838-9. John B. was a son of William Collins,
who settled in Orleans in 1820, or earlier (see Collins, IV).
RENSSELAER ALLSTON OAKES. (By J. A. Ellis.) In the
death of R. A. Oakes, which occurred at his home in Watertown, April
23, 1904, Jefferson county lost one of its most learned, and exemplary
men, and many lost a most esteemed personal friend. To all the reading
public ©f this and other states his name was well known, as that of a
scholar and searcher after the truths of history and science. He was
bom of true New England stock, and his daily life was an exposition
of the traits and virtues which have made the native "Yankee" pre-
eminent in accomplishment and development. The ancestral line is one
to he proud of, and is here given :
(I) Nathaniel Oak, the immigrant ancestor, was, traditionally,
from Wales, but of English stock. He was born about 1645, and came
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 145
to America about 1660, being the only survivor of those on an EngHsh
vessel wrecked on the Massachusetts coast, on which he sailed as cabin
boy. As a minor, he was bound out to earn his living, and was em-
ployed in gathering pine knots. While thus engaged he killed a wildcat,
and was given the bounty paid by the commonwealth, with which he
bought a sheep or two, the foundation of his fortune. These facts are
found in his own account, handed down to his grandchildren, and
written in the family Bible. From 1686 to his death, February 17,
1 72 1, he appears in various town and county records of land trans-
actions. He served in garrison and took part in a fight with Indians,
in defense of the borders. He acquired considerable land through his
first wife, and was in fairly prosperous circumstances. His farm is
the locally famous "Peter Whitney Place," in Northboro, Massachu-
setts, which town is a part of what was originally Marlborough, and
subsequently Westboro. The place has been occupied for the last forty
years and more by Samuel McClure. The original house was burned,
and the present one built in 1780. His body was buried in an old
burying ground near by, now abandoned. His children, as they grew
up, married and settled on farms in the same town (then Westboro),
and only one ever left the county. He was married December 14, 1686,
to Mehetabel Radiat, daughter of John and Ann Radiat, born 1646,
and died 1702, leaving no children. Mr. Oak married second, May 20,
1703, Mary Hollaway, daughter of Adam and Hannah (Hay ward)
Hollaway, and widow of Jacob Farrar, who was killed in Philip's war,
1675. She was born 1682, and married (third) Thomas Rice, 1722.
She died after 1733. Nathaniel and Mary Oak were the parents of
eight children. Nathaniel, the first, is mentioned further below. William
was burned to death, with five others, at Shrewsbury, in 1723. Hannah
married Gershom May, had eight children, and died in 1807, in her
one-hundredth year. Mary married Dan Maynard, had seven children
and died at the age of ninety-five years, in 1805. Ann was (probably
the first) wife of Dan Maynard, and had eight children. John, who
died in 1752, had five children and twelve hundred descendants. All in
this line, and a few in others, retain the original spelling of the name,
"Oak." John served with Wolfe at Quebec, and was the only one of
the family who left Massachusetts. He settled in Skowhegan, Maine,
and wrote his name, "Oaks," in later life. He was four times married,
and had sixteen children who grew up. His descendants number about
five thousand. George served in both colonial and Revolutionary wars.
■146 GEXEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
and died after 1777. He had two wives, eight children, and seven hund-
red of his descendants have been registered.
(II) Nathaniel, eldest child of Nathaniel and jMary Oak. was
born lune 7. 1704, in Marlborough, and died in 1783. He lived on the
paternal farm until 1745, and all but one of his children were born
there. In that year he bought a farm on Long Hill, in the town of Bol-
ton, where he spent the rest of his life. He held some minor offices,
such as highway surveyor and tithing man. According to his will,
made in 1781, he and his wife "being aged and poor," the income of
the youngest son's estate was left to the widow for their support. Both
died before 1795, when the estate was distributed. He was first -mar-
ried February 20, 1727, to Tabitha. daughter of Edward and Lydia
(Fairbanks) Rice. She was bom 1706, and died before 1736, and was
the mother of two cliildren. Mr. Oak married (second) June 7. 1736,
Keziah Maynard, daughter of David and Hannah Maynard. She was
born 1703, and died about 1797. being the mother of four children. The
children were: William. Seth, Tabitha. Nathaniel. Beriah and ^lind-
well.
(III) Seth. second son and child of Nathaniel and Tabitha Oak.
was Ixirn April 8, 1733, and died April 24, 1810 (possibly, 1814). Cap-
tain Seth Oak, as he was known — though he never held a commission —
served in the colonial war, 1755-60, and settled in Winchendon, Massa-
chusetts, in 1764. At the Lexington Alarm. 1775, he served as sergeant,
and at \\'inter Hill as quartermaster-sergeant. In 1763 he was one
of a company to which Lunenburg, Vermont, was chartered, but (by
tradition) .sold out his interest before arrival there, for a glass of grog.
In 1779, he went with two others to Athens, Vermont, and built a
log cabin, to which they moved their families in the spring of 1780.
He and two sons were original grantees of the town, and his daughter
Polly was the first child born in Athens. The farm was occupied in
1900 by Daniel Wilcox. Seth spent his last days at the home of his
daughter, in Townshend, Vermont. His descendants number about eight
hundred, and in some lines the original name. Oak, is retained. He
was married May 25. 1759, to Elizabeth Shevally, of Stow, Massachu-
setts, and they were the parents of seven children, namely : Calvin.
Nathaniel, Saloma, John, Thomas, Ebenezer and Polly.
(IV) Nathaniel, second son and child of Seth and Elizabeth Oak,
was ham 1762. in Templeton or Harvard. Massachusetts, and died
March 25. 1830. in Athens, where he was a farmer. Like his father.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 117
he served in the Revolutionary war, probably enlisting several times,
certainly on July 13, 1780, being eighteen years old, and five feet seven
inches in height. He was one of the proprietors of Athens. According
to one "History of Vermont," "Nathaniel Oak wanted a certain bewitch-
ing beauty; Amaziah Rockham wanted the b. b. too." In a fight between
them, Oak got a sound whipping, but — he also got the girl. He was
married about 1787 to Susannah Evans, who died October 12, 1842,
aged seventy-two years. Their children were : Sally, Clarissa, Willard,
Ebenezer, Sarah, Clarissa (2), Simeon, Nathaniel, William and Lucius.
(V) Simeon, third son and seventh child o-f Nathaniel and Su-
sannah Oakes, was born September 27, 1803, in Athens, Vermont, and
died October i, 1862, on his farm in South Rutland, this county. He
was a very active man of business, as farmer, hotel-owner, merchant,
miller, and manufacturer. Soon after attaining his majority he moved
to Mayville, New York, whence he removed tO' this county in the late
fall of 1836. Here he purchased land, largely upon credit, and in a few
years became prosperous, being the largest business man of his section.
He opened a store and conducted a large ashery and a grist mill, was an
extensive dealer in cattle for many years, and at the time of his death
was considered a rich man for his time. He was a lifelong Democrat,
but refused to be a candidate for office. His wife was a member of
the Methodist church, and he was a liberal contributor in support of and
faithful attendant upon the preaching of the gospel, but never united
with any religious organization.
He was married (first), March 4, 1823, to Florilla Davis, who was
the mother of his children. She was born January 20, 1806, in Ver-
mont, and died May 12, 1846, in South Rutland. Mr. Oakes married
(second) Rosetta Crosby, February 22, 1847. The children are noted
as follows : Oscar Simeon was a merchant at South Rutland, where
he died in 1875. Jane Maria died, unmarried, in 1845. Harriet Minerva
married Allen Waldo, was the mother of two children, and died in
1866 (see Waldo). Nathaniel Davis died in San Francisco in 1894.
(VI) Rensselaer Allston Oakes, fifth and youngest child of Simeon
and Florilla Oakes, was born May 17, 1835, in Mayville, New York,
and was eighteen months old when his parents moved to Rutland. He
grew up in the village known as Tylerville (South Rutland postoffice),
where his primary education was received. He was subsequently a
student at Black River Institute, a Watertown institution, and finished
at Cazenovia Seminary. Always a student, after leaving the seminary
us GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
he began a course of study at home, witli a view to entering the min-
istry of the UniversaHst church. His early marriage turned his atten-
tion to the need of an immediate and remunerative occupation, and he
entered upon a business career in 1856, opening a grocery store on the
north side of "The Square," in Watertown. Subsequently, he was em-
ployed by H. P. Cooke, in the dry-goods business and, for a year,
covering parts of 1865 and 1866, was editor of the Jefferson County
Union. He was again an editor in 1873-4, upon the Watertozmi Post
and. a little later, was city editor of the Times. He was engaged in
the dr}--goods trade at Middletown, New York, about three years, and
conducted a crockery store in Watertown in partnership with the late
Leonard Murray, under the title of Murray & Oakes, for eighteen months,
and from 1872 to 1876 he continued the business alone, when he retired
from active business and gave his attention wholly to research. During
■ the last forty-nine years of his life he resided at No. 64 State street. For
eighteen years he was manager of the Watertown Book Club, and was
a charter member of the Jefferson County Historical Society, of which
he was corresponding secretary and custodian during the last ten years
of his life. His enthusiasm and ability were recognized as the staying
elements which kept up the organization, and his death was a severe
blow to the society's life and usefulness. He was a contributor to the
"Independent," the "Century," and other publications, and published a
volume of poems in 1839.
The late Orlo B. Rhodes, editor of the IVatcrtown Standard, was
a lifelong friend of Mr. Oakes, and his tribute to the character of his
friend, written the day following his death, is given as the closing para-
graph of this notice, summing up fairly the work of his lifetime.
R. A. Oakes was married September 11, 1855, to Miss Myra Mooar,
who was born December 28, 1834, in Hollis, New Hampshire, a daugh-
ter of Jason and Martha (Crombie) Mooar, the former a native of
Hollis and the latter of Rindge, New Hampshire. Mrs. Oakes died
August 13, 1887, leaving an only child, who is mentioned in a later
paragraph.
The Watertoiiin Standard, of April 25, 1904, said of Mr. Oakes:
"He was a man of extensive learning, an omnivorous reader and a deep
student of metaphysics and psychology. Among his papers are em-
bodied the result of much thought and scholarly appreciation of many
abstruse mental problems, which have never been published. Coming
here when Watertown was but a village, and having been all his life
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 149
identified with the best business and intellectual interests of the city, he
possessed an extensive acquaintance, and kept firm hold upon the esteem
of all who knew him. His reputation as a student and finely educated
thinker brought to his home many of the ministers and public men of
the city, who found in him a wise counselor and an able critic. A lifelong
Democrat, while never a politician, he exercised considerable influence
in the councils of his party, and his opinion carried much weight. He
was very quiet and unassuming, an interesting talker, positive of con-
viction and able to express himself forcibly and with elegance. Had he
been more self-assertive, he would ha\-e been far more widely known,
but he enjoyed books too fully to care to leave his quiet study for the
hurry and clamor of public life."
"Mr. Oakes was quick to appreciate favors and to return them in
the matter of books, and the mutual exchange of such favors has been
with us one of the delights of our ten years' of editorial work in this
city. Mr. Oakes was a charming writer, and he was as fond of flowers
as he was of books. His delight was in his garden and among his books.
For him the painful riddle of existence is solved, which still stares us
in the face. May the earth rest lightly upon him of a restless mind,
who should naturally have been spared another decade of life and service
in his own peculiar way."
(VH) Robert Paul Oakes, only child of R. A. and Myra Oakes,
was born March g, 1857, in Watertown, in whose public schools he
pursued his earlier studies, finishing at St. John's school, Manlius, New
York. Upon leaving school his business career was begun in assisting
in his father's store. After a short period in Boston he entered the
dry-goods establishment in which his father was formerly engaged,
now conducted by O. B. Cadwell. After spending fourteen years in
that store, he engaged with A. Bushnell & Company, where he has been
occupied during the last eight years, being now in charge of the silk
department. He was married March 21, 1888, to Miss Cora Campbell,
who was born March 14, 1868, at Central Square, New York, daughter
of Lorenzo and Ida (Breed) Campbell, both natives of that place. The
only child of Robert P, and Cora Oakes is Harold Robert, born May 13,
1889, riow a student of the Watertown high school.
JOHN N. CARLISLE, a prominent attorney of Watertown and
secretary of the Democratic state committee, is a representative of one
of the oldest families of Jefferson county, and descended from early
150 GEXEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
residents of this country. There can be no doubt that the name came
from Scotland and has been borne by leaders in that country as well as
in this.
(I) The first of whom record is now found, among the progen-
itors of the subject of this sketch, was David Carlisle, whose wife was
Abigail Stowell, residing in Freehold, Monmouth county. New Jersey.
(IT) William, fourth son of David and Abigail (Stowell) Car-
lisle, was born September 29, 1767, in Freehold, and married (March
23, 1789) Elizabeth Anderson, of Reading, Somerset county, same state.
They were the parents of two children.
(III) Dr. William Carlisle, son of William and Elizabeth (An-,
derson) Carlisle, was born October 20, 1793, at South Amboy, New
Jersey, and was married December 31, 18 18, to Lydia Schuler. Soon
after his marriage he came to this state, and finally settled at Three
Mile Bay in 1830. His active years were passed there in the practice
of his profession, and when old age overtook him he removed to Elgin,
Illinois, where he resided with his son, James Carlisle, until his death,
March 24. 1868. While he \\as a resident of Jefiferson county he was
at one time its representative in the state legislature, and served as
supervisor of the town of Lyme during the years 1842, 1853 and 1854.
He left six children.
(IV) John C. Carlisle, son of Dr. W'illiam and Lydia (Schuler)
Carlisle, was born February 24. 1820, at Charleston, New Jersey, and
was married to Pamelia Waffle March 31, 1842. He was a farmer by
occupation, and died June 28, 1866, at Preble, Cortland county, this
state. His children were named as follows : William S., Victoria Ade-
laide, Ann F. (married Perry S. Haynes of Preble, New York), Lewis
F., and Sarah Ella (now Mrs. Wayne ^V. Burdick of Watertown), and
James A.
(V) William S. Carlisle, eldest child of John C. and Pamelia
(Waffle) Carlisle, was born July 16, 1843, '" the town of Lyme, this
county, and now resides at Dayton, Ohio. He commenced the study
of law in Senator Starbuck's law office at the city of Watertown, but
abandoned his books to enlist in the service of his country. He served
as a private in Company M, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, until
the close of the Civil war, after which he turned his attention to me-
chanical pursuits. He is an expert -mechanic in the service of the Davis
Sewing Machine Company, which began business in Watertown, and
removed with it to Dayton. He was supervisor of the first ward of
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 151
this city during the year 1887, was chief of the fire department in 1874-5,
and Democratic candidate for mayor of tlie city in 1884. In the same
year he was vice grand of Watertown City Lodge, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. He was married September 20, 1865, to Catherine
Rose Burdick, daughter of Hon. Nelson Burdick (see Burdick). She
died September 24, 1885. A brief account of her children follows:
John N. is the subject of later paragraphs. Wayne B., the second,
was born June 6, 1868, in Watertown, and died at Miles City, Montana,
whither he had gone in search of health, November 10, 1897. During
the administrations of Governors Flower and Black, he was a clerk in
the executive department at Albany. Lewis W., born March 12, 1878,
in Watertown, was educated in the public schools of Dayton, Ohio.
While a law student at Watertown he was a member of the Thirty-ninth
Separate Company, and enlisted at the outbreak of the Spanish-American
war, as a member of Company M, Seventy-first New York Volunteers.
He was wounded at the battle of Santiago, Cuba, July 5, 1898, and
died as a result, at St. Peter's Hospital, Brooklyn, July 29, 1902, and
was buried with military honors in Brookside Cemetery, Watertown.
Fievious to his injury he was war correspondent of the Watertown
Daily Times. Floyd L., born March 5, 1881, was educated at Dayton,
Ohio, graduated in 1903 at Cornell University, where he was president
of the sophomore and senior classes and leader of Cornell debating teams
in 1902-3, and is now studying law at Watertown, New York.
(VI) John N. Carlisle was born August 2:\, 1866, in Preble,
New York, and has resided in Watertown since he was two years of
age. He was educated m the city public schools, graduating from the
high school in 1884. He then took up the study of law in the office of
Hon. Henry Purcell, and was admitted an attorney at law February 15,
1889. For some years he was a partner of his former preceptor, under
the style of Purcell and Carlisle, and is now a member of the well
known firm of Brown, Carlisle & Hugo, with a handsome suite of offices
on Stone street, and enjoying a large and most lucrative practice.
Mr. Carlisle has taken an active part in political movements since
attauiing his majority, and has been the recipient of honors in his home
town, though his party has usually been in the minority. He was city
attorney in 1892 and 1893. From 1888 to 1890 he was secretary of the
Jefiferson county Democratic committee, and its chairman from 1891 to
1896. Since the last named year he has been a member of the state
central committee, and its secretaiw since 1898. He was made chairman
152 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
of the Democratic slate executive committee in 1902, and had charge of
the Coler campaign, and was a delegate to the national convention at
St. Louis in 1904. He was president of the Jeffersonian Club, a political
organization, in 1892-3, and is a member of the Union Club, the leading
social organization of the city. Mr. Carlisle is an honored member of
the Masonic fraternity, and was elected president of the Watertown
High School Alumni in 1904. On January 17, 1902, he was elected
captain of Company C, Fourth Battalion (Thirty-ninth Separate Com-
pany), National Guard of New York.
Mr. Carlisle was married January 17, 1894, to Miss Carrie C.
Brown, a daughter of Edmond Brown, of Pulaski, New York, and has
one child, Catherine Caroline.
Of genial and social nature, Mr. Carlisle makes and retains friends,
and is popular with his associates everywhere. He is one of the youngest
men entrusted with the direction of large political movements in this
country, and has always been found faithful and competent, either as
an attorney or political leader.
BURDICK. This name is found among the pioneers of Jefiferson
county, and is traced through New England ancestors, who settled early
in Rhode Island and were conspicuous in the civil and religious life of
the colony.
(I) Robert Burdick is of record at Newport, Rhode Island, as
early as November 19, 1652, when he was baptized by Rev. Joseph
Torrey. He was made a freeman May 22, 1655. He married Novem-
ber 2, 1655, Ruth, wbo was born January 11, 1640, daughter of Samuel
and Tacy (Cooper) Hubbard. His name was in a list of inhabitants
of Westerly, Rhode Island, May 18, 1669, and he took the oath of alle-
giance May 17, 1671. In July, 1675, owing to the war with the Indians,
he and his family went to Newport, returning subsequently to Westerly.
He was deputy to the general court in 1680, 1683 and 1685. He died
in 1692, and his wife passed away in the previous year. Their children
were: Robert, (a son, name unknown), Hubbard, Thomas, Naomi,
Ruth, Benjamin, Samuel, Tacy and Deborah.
(II) Hubbard, third son and child of Robert and Ruth Burdick,
married Hannah, daughter of John and Mary (Moshier) Maxson, and
lived in Westerly and Hopkinton (the latter town being originally a part
of Westerly). He was one of thirty-four who purchased, in 171 1, up-
wards of five thousand acres of vacant lands, and was a member of
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 153
the town council in 1727. He died in 1758, his wife having passed
away in 1752. Their children were: Hubbard, Nathan, John and
Ezekiel.
(III) Nathan, second son and child of Hubbard and Hannah
Burdick, was born February 19, 17 18-9, and was married October 14,
1743, to Goodeth Maxson. She was born June 5, 1726, a daughter
of John and Hannah Maxson of Westerly. He resided in Hopkinton,
where he died in 1793. Seven of his children are of record there, and
the birth of the second is also recorded in Westerly. They are as fol-
lows: Tillemus, May 30, 1745; Sylvanus, September 17, 1747; Good-
eth, April 17, 1 751; Tacy, October 12, 1754; Adam, December 28,
1759; Naaman, July 18, 1762; Sheppard, October 18, 1766.
(IV) Adam, third son and fifth child of Nathan and Goodeth
(Maxson) Burdick, was born December 28, 1759, in Hopkinton. He
was for a few years a resident of West Winfield, Herkimer county, and
was an early settler at Point Peninsula, in the town of Lyme, this
county, where he purchased one hundred acres of land, on which a
slight improvement had been made, and began clearing and developing a
farm. He died there February 20, 1845, from the effects of a kick from
a horse in his ninety-sixth year. His wife, Elizabeth Moors, was a
native of Herkimer county. They were the parents of four sons.
Winslow M., the eldest, died in 1902, in Brooklyn, where he had been
engaged in business since 1840. Nelson, the second, receives further
mention below. Sheffield resides at Cape Vincent. Wayne died on
the homestead at Point Peninsula. Adam Burdick was a lifelong
Democrat, and was respected as a citizen in Lyme, where he filled some
of the local offices.
(V) Nelson, second son and child of Adam and Elizabeth
(Moors) Burdick, was born December 28, 1820, at Point Peninsula,
where he attended the common school, subsequently going to the Water-
town high school. He was supervisor of the town of Lyme in 1856,
and mayor of the city of Watertown in 1882-3. He was also assessor
of the city and a member of the board of public works. He was mar-
ried March 7, 1844, tO' Catherine Getman, who died in 1846. He after-
ward married Delia Getman, who is still his companion. His eldest
child, Catherine Rose, born March 12, 1846, became the wife of William
S. Carlisle, as elsewhere related (see Carlisle). The others were:
DeHa E., Aletta May. Kittie, Wayne W.. Jessie D., Alfred M., Dora
B. and Rose A. The last named is the wife of John Carey, residing in
154 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMiLY HISTORY.
Decatur, Illinois. Tlie sons, Wayne \V. and Alfred ]\I. Burdick, are now
engaged in the coal business at Watertown.
FRANK ALPHONSO FLETCHER, president of the Watertown
Builders' Supply Company and one of the leading men of the city, por-
trays in his character and purposes many of the traditions of older New
England. Descended from a long line of worthy ancestors, he has
sustained the honor and credit of his name, and possesses a conserv-
atism that has kept his operations upon a substantial basis, as opposed
to the showy ventures of speculative wealth.
The name Fletcher originated in that part of the Canton Vaud,
Switzerland, which was formerly Burgundian, and is of Burgundian
French character. It comes from de la Flechiere, bender of the bow.
It was transpoited to England in the time of the Norman conquest, and
has been honored many times in both England and America.
(I) Robert Fletcher, the first in America, was born in 1592, and
settled in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1630, being then thirty-eight years
of age and having two sons and a daughter — Luke, William and Cary.
He was a wealthy and influential man, and died April 3, 1677, at Con-
cord. Sons, Samuel and Francis, appear in the records, and may have
been born after his arrival.
(II) William, second son and child of Robert Fletcher, was born
(1622) in England, and was eight years old when he came with his
father to Concord. October 7. 1645, he married Lydia Bates and set-
tled in Chelmsford in 1653. His land embraced what is now the city
of Lowell, and part of his farm has been continuously in possession of
his descendants, by one of whom it is now occupied. He died November
6, 1677, and his widow passed away October 12, 1704. They had four
sons and three daughters.
(III) Joshua, eldest son and second child of William and Lydia
Fletcher, was born March 30, 1648, in Concord, and was twice married.
The first wife was Grissies Jewel!, who was wedded May 4, 1668, and
died January 16, 1682. Sarah Willy became his wife July 18, 1682.
There were two sons by the first marriage, and five sons and 'three
daughters by the second.
(IV) John, son of Joshua and Sarah Fletcher, was born May 7,
1687, in Clielmsford. In 1712 he married Hannah Phelps of Lancaster,
Massachusetts, where he settled and built a house on George's Hill.
This homestead remained in possession of his descendants until 1868.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 155
His wife died April lo, 1737, aged fifty-one years. Their first four chil-
dren were sons and the last three daughters, all born in Lancaster.
(V) Joshua, youngest son of John and Hannah (Phelps) Fletcher,
was born December 26, 1724, and married Mary, daughter of Ebenezer
and Sarah Allen, May 15, 1748. He died November 13, 1814, in the
house where he was born and always lived. At the time of the Revo-
lution, he was one of the committee of safety. He was a farmer, and
left his plow in the furrow and rode to Concord to join the patriots, in
tbe Lexington Alarm. At that time he was over fifty years old. His
wife died July 25, 1813. He had eight sons and three daughters.
(VI) Peter, seventh child and sixth son of Joshua and Mary Flet-
cher, was born September 5, 1762, in Lancaster, and married Sarah Piper
January 28, 1787. He settled in Alstead, New Hampshire, and subse-
quently removed to Bennington, same state, where he died November,
1843. His wife survived him over five years, dying December 31, 1848,
aged eighty-three years, at the home of her daughter in Lowell, Massa-
chusetts. She was a member of the Baptist church, and was the mother
of three sons and seven daughters.
(VH) Lewis Allen, ninth child and youngest son of Peter and Sar-
ah Fletcher, was born October 10, 1804, in Alstead, New Hampshire, and '
was married July 7, 1832, to Betsey M. Gregg. As a boy he was con-
nected with the paper manufacturing business, and himself manufactured
paper at Bennington. He went to Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1849, ^"^
operated two mills there. In 1S51 he came to this state, and operated
mills on the Hudson, one in LHster county and the other in Dutchess.
Li 1854 he went to the wilds of v.-estern Wisconsin, where he purchased
large tracts of land, and died August 10, 1856, in Pierce county, that
state. He had three sons and three daughters.
( Vni) Frank A. Fletcher, second son and child of Lewis A. and
Betsey Fletcher, was born February 23, 1838, in Bennington, New
Hampshire, and early became familiar with the details of his father's
business. He inherited his father's business foresight and large grasp
of affairs. The Civil war came as an interruption tO' his business career
and he enlisted May i, 1861, in the Second Regiment, New Hampshire
Infantry. Company G. He served more than three years, and was in
eighteen engagements, among which were the first and second Bull Run,
Yorktown, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, where he was
wounded, and proved himself everywhere a brave and ready soldier. On
account of his injury he received from Secretarv Stanton a pass allow-
166 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
ing him the freedom of the army, and he became a sutler with the Army
of the Potomac. He was offered a commission, but decHned the honor.
In November, 1865, he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and engaged
in the manufacture of paper. Before the war he had been connected
with paper mills at Springfield, Massachusetts, and other places, and
in 1868 he assumed the management of a paper mill at Newark, New
Jersey. After that he went to Musconeckong, New Jersey, where, in
1873, he built a paper mill for the Warren Manufacturing Company.
In 1874 Mr. Fletcher became a resident of Watertown, and was em-
ployed twelve years following as manager of the mill of Knowlton Broth-
ers. He then bought the mill at Great Bend, this county, which he
sold afterward to Taggart Brothers. In 1901 he bought the business
which he has sir.ce conducted, being president of the company and owner
of the greater part of the stcick. The business has been successful under
his management, and much of the material sold is manufactured by the
company. These include hollow concrete building blocks, asbestos boiler
covering and wall plaster, fire cement and stove lining. A large variety
of the products of other manufacturers is also afforded to its custom-
ers.
Mr. Fletcher is prominent in the social and club life of the town,
and holds membership in the Union Club and Lincoln League. He
identifies himself with all movements conducive to the public welfare,
and has long been a valuable friend of the Jefferson County Orphan
Asylum, of which he has been a trustee for many years, and also of the
Young Men's Christian Association. He is an Episcopalian in religious
faith and an earnest supporter of Republican principles.
He was married October 16, 1868, to Miss Ida La Due, of New-
burgh, New York, and his family includes four children, namely : Flora
D., Antoinette F., Frank H. and Bessie M. The son is his father's as-
sistant in busniess.
SAMUEL FARW'ELL BAGG, of Watertcwn, prominent in busi-
ness circles, and also well known as a man possessed of wide and varied
information, comes of pioneer ancestry. His great grandfather, Moses
Bagg, was the first settler of Utica, New York, where for many years
he was the proprietor of the well known Bagg Hotel. His son, named
Moses, had a son, Moses Mears Bagg, who was born July 13, 1816, in
Utica, where he was for a long period known and respected as a skillful
and conscientious physician. FTe was a man of vmcommon literary at-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 157
tainments and was known as the author of two local histories. He
married Maria, daughter of Samuel Farwell, of Utica, and they were the
parents of six children.
Samuel F. Bagg, son of Moses M. and Maria (Farwell) Bagg, was
born September 13, 1848, in Utica. In 1869 he graduated from Hamil-
ton College, receiving the degree of Baclielor of Arts, later Master of
Arts. He also attended the Hamilton Law School, from which he grad-
uated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and later was admitted to
the bar in Oneida county. For a few years he was engaged in teaching
and subsequently bought a newspaper, which he edited for some time.
He then obtained a clerkship in the Oneida County National Bank, at
Utica, where he remained for about a year. Li 1876 he came to Water-
town, in order to become secretary and treasurer of the Watertown
Engine Company, which position he still holds. In 1887 he was one
of the incorporators of the Tilden Paper Company, which subsequently
passed into new ownership, being thenceforth known as the Ontario
Paper Company. Mr. Bagg was director and vice-president. He held
the same position in the Northern New York Marble Company.
Among the other institutions and organizations with which Mr.
Bagg is or was identified may be mentioned the Watertown Street Rail-
way Company, the Watertown National Bank, and the Watertown Sav-
ings, Loan and Building Association. Of the last-mentioned organiza-
tion he was the first president, while with the other two he was connected
in the capacity of director. When the Watertown board of trade was
organized Mr. Bagg became one of the vice-presidents. He has served
as a trustee of the Flower Memorial Library, and when the cornerstone
of the building was laid delivered an address remarkable for erudition.
Mr. Bagg takes an active interest in educational and philanthropic
work and has sensed as a member of the board of education. In 1884
he was president of the Young Men's Christian Association. He belongs
to the Masonic order, and is a member of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers. In the First Presbyterian church he has held for
twenty years the office of elder and is also the teacher of a Bible class.
Mr. Bagg married, September 3, 1874, Mary Louise, daughter of
Charles C. Young, of Brooklyn, New York. .Their only child is named
Eunice. In the community in which he resides Mr. Bagg is regarded as
a man whose character presents the rare combination of the executive
talents essential to a successful business career and the scholarlv instincts
158 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
and attainments rarei\- to l)e found except in those whose hves have Ijeen
devoted tn literary pursuits.
JAMES BLACK WISE, ex-mayor of Watertovvn, and one of
the most progressive and energetic of its citizens, is known to
his contemporaries as a man who, Hke the present chief magistrate
of the nation, "does things." His reputation is not confined to Water-
town, hut he is an active and acknowledged contributor to the in-
dustrial and social development of northern New York. Mr. Wise comes
of sturdy German ancestry, and a fitting notice of his father, who was
one of the active factors in developing Watertown's industrial prestige,
is herewith given.
Joseph Wise, a son of Joseph Wise, was born December 14. 1831,
in Baden-Baden, Germany. The senior Joseph was for many years a
highway commissioner in his native land, a position of much responsi-
bility, and his last years were passed upon a farm in Formosa, province
of Ontario, Canada, where he lived to a great age.
Joseph Wise, junior, when eleven years old, went on an ocean voy-
age with an uncle, and continued on the sea until he reached the age of
fourteen. Arriving in New York, he was apprenticed to the machinist's
trade, which, then as now in his native country, embraced a knowledge
in all lines of working the baser metals. He mastered, in the course of
seven years' apprenticeship, what is now separated into four trades —
tool-maker, locksmith, brass-turner and machinist. With a natural bent
for mechanics, and being industrious and painstaking, he became a very
efficient worker in all these lines, and was soon called to direct others, as
a foreman. After working a short time in New York as a journeyman,
lie went to Branford, Connecticut, to take charge of the machine depart-
ment of the Branford Lock Works. Here he remained in the neighbor-
hood of fourteen years.
In December, 1868, Mr. Wise became a citizen of Watertown, being
called hither to take charge of a lock factory just established by a man
named Wasson, formerly a bookkeeper at the Branford works. Con-
tinuing this connection until 187 1, he was then employed by the Water-
town Steam Engine Company, as machinist, in the plant now occupied
and owned by his son. He w'as subsequently in charge of the press room
of the Davis Sewing Machine Company and, later, operated a repair shop
on Beebe's Island, in a building now owned and occupied by the New
York Air Brake Company. His last machine shop was in the Van
GENEALOGICAL AND. FAMILY HISTORY. 15y
Namee & Smith Building, on Factory street, afterward occupied by the
Hitchcock Lamp Company and now the property of the New York Air
Brake Company. Mr. Wise embraced the faith of the Presbyterian
church, and was a supporter of RepubHcan principles, in politics, but was
in no sense obtrusive of his own personality, loving his home and family,
and striving to prepare his children for good citizenship. He died Octo-
ber 14, 1886.
Mr. Wise was married, aljout the time he attained his majority, to
Elizabeth Biack, who died March 27, 1886, and they were the parents
of seven children. Edward, the first of these, began early to rove, and his
whereabouts are now unknown to his relatives. Mary, wife if F. E.
Joslin. resides in Watertown. Lois, Mrs. Frank E. Felton, lives in
Chicago, Illinois. James B. is further mentioned hereinafter. Anastasia
is the wife of Dempster Rockwood, whose history is given on another
page. Josephine, Mrs. Edward B. Allen, resides in Elizabeth, New Jer-
sey. William H. is in Watertown.
James B. Wise was born December 27, 1858, in Branford, Con-
necticut, and was' in his eleventh year when he accompanied his parents
to Watertown in the spring of 1869. He was an intense and energetic
boy, throwing all his strength into anything he undertook, and this
characteristic has controlled .his whole career. He very early developed
a wish to earn something for himself, and began his wage-earning as a
newspaper carrier, subsecpiently acting as a newspaper -folder and, later,
a newsboy. He finished the course of the grammar schools and was
admitted to the high school of Watertown, but his wish to begin business
lite led him to leave the high school to take a commercial college course.
His first business venture was as owner of the right to sell fruits and
newspapers on the trains running out of Watertown. He made a success
of this venture from the start, and afterward purchased the same right
on trains running west from Oswego, on the Rome, Watertown & Og-
densburg Railroad. Being courteous and tactful, as well as energetic,
he became a popular and well known salesman, and continued in the
business until 1877, when he returned to Watertown and became a partner
with his father in the manufacture of hardware specialties. After the
death of the father, the son bought the interest of the other heirs and
continued the enterprise as sole proprietor. In 1891 he came into pos-
session, by purchase, of the factory building on Mill street, north of the
river, which he has since occupied. Many articles of light hardware are
produced, including some specialties that are well known to the trade
160 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
and much in demand. He has been connected with several other indus-
tries, to all of which his persistent and intelligent application has given
impetus. He was president of the Singer Fire Alarm Company, and
also of the Watertown Brass & Manufacturing Company, secretary and
treasurer of the Ryther Manufacturing Company, and vice president and
a director of the Union Carriage & Gear Company.
Mr. Wise is deeply interested in the welfare and progress of his
home town, and has contributed no small part to its development in every
way. His public spirit has been untiring, and has been recognized by
his fellow citizens. He was elected alderman for the second ward in
1888. In 1891 he was the candidate on the Republican ticket for mayor,
against W. F. Porter, a popular Democrat, and was defeated by six
hundred majority. The following year he was again defeated by F. D.
Roth by fifty-eight majority, and was nominated a third time by his
party in 1893, but refused to make the race. Being urged to be a candi-
date in 1894, he accepted and was elected, being re-elected in the three
succeeding years. To this responsible office he brought the same energy
and care for details which had made his private business a success.
During his administration the handsome city hall was built, under his
close and constant supervision, and finished, including all the furnishings,
at the remarkably low cost of fifty-seven thousand dollars. The con-
tractor who erected the building was a loser in the sum of nearly two
thousand dollars, because Mayor Wise was ever vigilant and insisted on
having the best of everything put into the building. It is a handsome
and most substantial structure, likely to make proud and glad the tax-
payers for many long years. Mr. Wise built and rebuilt all of the
bridges of the city excepting Cowan creek bridge, and during his admin-
istration most of the best streets of the city were constructed, under his
ever watchful eye, and the first steam roller was put in operation on the
roadways. That the people appreciated his disinterested labors, securing
the city's most valuable permanent improvements at the minimum cost,
is shown by his repeated re-election, and it is universally admitted that he
could be easily elected mayor any time he would consent to be a candidate.
Mr. Wise is considerably interested in athletics and outdoor sports,
and feels the same pride in the supremacy of his home city in all contests
that actuates him in regard to its material and moral progress. He has
been liberal in the expenditure of his means, often carrying the bulk of
the burden, in maintaining strong football teams, in order to advertise
the city and gratify a taste for real sports in the field.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 161
In the social life of the town Mr. Wise is as well known as in its
business circles. He is a member of Corona Lodge No. 705, Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the various Masonic bodies subordinate
to Media Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of which he is a valued
member. He accepts the faith of the Presbyterian church, but is not
upon the roll of any religious body. He was married to Miss Hattie C,
daughter of George and Sylvia A. Willard of Watertown. Two sons
complete the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wise, namely : Charles Ralph
and Earl Willard.
TODD. This is one of the oldest names in America, and has been
traced some generations in England, previous to the settlement of New
England by the Puritans.
(I) William Todd was born in Pontefract, Yorkshire, England,
and married Isabel Rogerson, September 24, 1592.
(II) William (2), son of William and Isabel Todd, was baptized
June 29, 1593, in Pontefract, and married Katherine Brewster Ward.
He was a miller, farmer and baker, and died in 161 7.
(III) Christopher, son of William (2) and Katherine B. (Ward)
Todd, was baptized January 12, 1617, in Pontefract, and married Grace
Middlebrook. He was one of Rev. John Davenport's company, and
came to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1639. He died there April
23, 1686.
(IV) Samuel, son of Christopher and Grace (Middlebrook) Todd,
was baptized August 20, 1645, was made a freeman in 1670, and was
a landowner in 1685, and died August, 1714. He married Mary Bradley.
(V) Daniel, son of Samuel and Mary (Bradley) Todd, was born
March 14, 1686-7, ^rid died July 29, 1724. His wife was Desire Tuttle.
(VI) Daniel (2), son of Daniel (i) and Desire (Tuttle) Todd,
was born March 5, 1725, and was made a freeman at Derby, Connecti-
cut, m 1777. He married Sybil Carrington.
(VII) Daniel (3), son of Daniel (2) and Sybil (Carrington)
Todd, was born September 9, 1751. in Derby, and was made a freeman
in 1777. He was married March 27, 1775, to Eunice Hitchcock.
(VIII) Daniel {4), son of Daniel (3) and Eunice (Hitchcock)
Todd, was born December 24, 1777, in Derby, and moved to Cornwall,
thence to Milton, Connecticut, and in 1805, came to Whitesville, in the
town of Rodman, this county, where he died March 8, 1867. He was
162 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
married September i, 1801, to Betsey Peck, and they had three sons,
Daniel, David and Enoch L.
(IX) Enoch Lewis, son of Daniel U.) -"^"'l Betsey (Peck) Todd,
was born December 14. 1S16, in Rodman, and died there January 8,
1889. He was a successful farmer and respected citizen. He was
married December 12, 1841, to Emmeline Jeannette Smith, daughter of
Reuben and Pamela (Wright) Smith (see Smith), of Rodman.
(X) Lewis E., son of Enoch L. and Emmeline J. (Smith) Todd,
was born March 13, 1846, and now resides on the paternal farm in
Rodman. He married Zerviah Buell, and their children are : Clara E.,
Clarence E., Homer and Ella M.
BYRON B. TAGGART, one of the managers of the extensive
mills of the Taggart Brothers Company, paper manufacturers of Water-
town, X'ew York, began his business life with the advantages of a well
known name and a hrmly estalilished business. Fortunately, along with
the interests that it has fallen lo him to direct, have descended a share
of the equalities of mind that in his father gave shape to the enterprise.
His comprehensive grasp of affairs and keen judgment equip him admir-
ably for the responsibilities of his position.
The family has been known in America for a hundred and fifty
years, the founder of this line having been Henrj-" Taggart, a Scotchman
who came to New England from the Isle of Man. One of his descend-
ants, Joseph Taggart, came as a pioneer to the Black river country from
Rhode Island at about the beginning of the Nineteenth century. Joseph's
son Henry, who became a prominent farmer of Le Ray, Jefiferson county,
was the father of Byron Benjam.in Taggart, founder of the paper manu-
facturing business in Watertown, known as the Taggart Brothers Com-
pany. Henry Taggart married Julina Dighton, daughter of John Digh-
ton. an early settler of Pamelia and the son of a soldier of Burgoyne's
army, who became a citizen of the United States.
Byron Benjamin Taggart was one of the eight children of Henry
and Julina (Dighton) Taggart. He was born April 28, 1831, and
lived until he was eighteen years old on his father's farm. He attended
the district school as a child, and later taught during the winter. He
was ambitious to gain a better education and to broaden his horizon,
and studied for a year at the state normal school at Albany before spend-
ing three years in the west. He returned to Watertown. where he staid
until he entered militarv service during the second vear of the war. He
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 163
organized Company K, of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, and
was commissioned captain for his services. The company was stationed
for a time in New York harbor, hut was soon called to the defenses at
Washington. Ill health and pressure of business aflfairs at home im-
pelled Captain Taggart to resign his position in the army November 23,
1863. In 1865 he began dealing in paper flour-sacks. He bought a
hand printing press and a c^uantity of manila sacks and established a
business on Beebee's Island, when the difficulty of getting the manufac-
tured article suggested the possibility of producing them himself. In
1866 a company was organized to finance the enterprise, and under the
management of Mr. Taggart the manufacture of manila paper was
begun. It was the first business of the kind in that region, and after
five years of successful operation William W. and Byron B. bought out
the other members of the firm and the company became known as Tag-
gart Brothers. In 1886 the firm was incorporated under the name of
Taggart Brothers Company. Until his death Byron B. Taggart was
the controlling spirit of the concern, as he had been the originator. It
became under his management one of the most important and extensive
manufacturing enterprises of northern New York. He was president
of the company as well as president of the Taggart Brothers Paper Com-
pany, which he established at Felt's Mills, and he was connected besides
with many other financial concerns. He was one of the founders and
for a time vice president of the Watertown Thermometer Company, an
organizer and directer of the Watertown National Bank, a stockholder
and director of the Watertown Spring Wagon Company, founder and
president of the Watertown Savings Bank, president of the Alexandria
Bay Steamboat Company, and of the Central Park Association of the
Thousand Islands, an organizer and president of the Watertown Electric
Street Railroad Company, and a stockholder and president of the Tag-
gart-Moffett Land Company. In addition to all this he was a large
owner of Hotel Eastman at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and had extensive
land interests in the viciiiity of Watertown. He had the rare faculty of
concentrating his mind absolutely upon any matter of the moment, and
of dismissing it as absolutely when he had dealt with it to the best of his
ability. It was in this way that he was able to keep his poise amid the
responsibilities and infinite detail of his business, to preserve an interest
m liberal culture, and to hold his mind open to the public needs. He was
a Republican and a trusted counsellor of his party. He was elected
mayor of Watertown in 1879, and re-elected in 1880. In 1878 Governor
161 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Robinson appointed him a trustee of the Soldiers' Home at Bath, and
he was continued in office under Governor Cornell.
His wife was Frances L. Brown, daughter of Jabez and Lefa Brown
of Watertown. He was married soon after his return from the west,
May 28. 1856. Mr. Taggart died January 20, 1897. His three children
were as follows : Grace, who married P. R. Dillion and is living at
Cleveland, Ohio ; Mary L., who is the wife of Morris F. Tanner of Buf-
falo ; and Byron B.
Byron B., only son of Byron B. and Frances (Brow^n) Taggart,
was born in Watertown March 5, 1874, and found his early instruction
there in the public schools. He was graduated from Hamilton College
and entered the business in 1896, a year previous to his father's death.
The burden of his father's interests fell upon him. and he has proved
himself fully equal to the responsibility. In connection with his cousin,
Henry W. Taggart, he manages the mills of the Taggart Brothers Com-
pany, and sustains other interests that his own initiative and enterprise
have brought to him. Besides being vice president of the Taggart
Brothers Company, he was one of the promoters and is vice president
of the Alexandria Bay and Redwood Electric Railway Company, a
director of the National Union Bank, a director of the Union Carriage
and Gear Company, and a director and vice president of the St. Lawrence
Park Association. He is also president of the Watertown Real Estate
and Building Company, and secretary and treasurer of the Watertown
Hotel Company; also interested largely in real estate and buildings in
Buffalo and Watertown. He carries these responsibilities almost as
easily as his father carried the multifarious interests of his life. Mr.
Taggart is never too much occupied to give attention to public affairs,
and he is strong in the advocacy of whatever course appears to him as
right. In 1902 he married Josephine, daughter of Delmar E. Clapp of
Auburn, New York.
SYLVANUS POOL. The mention of the name of Sylvanus Pool
recalls the memory of one who was, for many years, numbered among
the honored citizens of Watertown. Mr. Pool came of New England
ancestry. His father, who also bore the name of Sylvanus, was by
trade a stonemason, and a man of estimable character.
Sylvanus Pool, son of Sylvanus Pool, was born October 17, i8io,
in Boston, Massachusetts, where he lived until reaching the age of
twenty-fi\-e years, when he moved to Brownville, Jeft'erson countv, New
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. KiS
York. There, for three years, he was engaged in business as a tanner
and currier, and then, feeling equipped for more extended efforts in
a wider field, went to Champion. In his new place of abode his talents
as a business man found full scope in conducting, for fifteen years, an
independent establishment. This was a period in his life fruitful, not
only in financial profit, but in the acquisition of those stores of experience
which served, in after years, as a guide, not for himself alone, but for
many younger men, who, in beginning life for themselves, sought his
counsel and encouragement. On leaving Champion he came to Water-
town, where the remainder of his life was passed. Here he bought the
"old Fairbanks tannery," where for a long time he conducted a flourish-
ing business. In 1880 he disposed of the establishment on advantageous
terms and withdrew from the field of active endeavor. Mr. Pool's busi-
ness career, successful as it was in the main, was not one of uninter-
rupted prosperity. He was the first vice president of the Merchants"
Bank of Watertown, and, on the failure of this institution, suffered heavy
financial loss. Reverses, however, failed to disturb the equanimity and
cheerful courage with which lie met and by means of which he finally
conquered them. The Universalist church, of which he was an attend-
ant, regarded him, and with reason, as one of its stanch supporters. To
this church, in which he was while living a zealous and devoted worker,
he left at his death $10,000.
Mr. Pool married Fanny, daughter of Eliakim Steele of Brown-
ville. Two children were born to them, both of whom are deceased.
The death of Mr. Pool, which occurred June 9, 1883, when he had
reached the age of seventy-three years, was a cause of grief to the entire
community. His family and friends were made to feel that they were
not alone in 'their affliction, but that all who had ever in any way been
associated with Mr. Pool united with them in a sense of personal bereave-
ment on the removal of one who had lived among them as an honorable
merchant, an upright citizen and a benevolent, kindhearted man.
WILLIAM P. HEF-iRING. Among the citizens of Watertown,
New York, is William P. Herring, president of the Jeft'erson Paper
Company, the Jefferson Power Company, the Jefferson Board Mills
Company, and director of the National Union Bank of Watertown. He
was born at Rodman, Jefferson county. New York, October 22, 1844.
\\'il1iam Herring, grandfather of William P. Herring, was born
in W'iltshire, England, acquired an education in the schools of this coun-
16« GEXEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
try, and for four years was a resident of Denmark, Lewis county. New
York, removing to Champion village about 1820, where he was actively
engaged in the brewing business in partnership with Lyman Holcomb.
In 1826 Mr. Herring located in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, where
he purchased a tract of land and devoted his attention to agricultural
piu-suits for the remainder of his life. William Herring and his wife,
Cynthia (Buck) Herring, a native of Argyle, Washington county. New
York, were the parents of seventeen children, thirteen of whom attained
years of manhood and womanhood, and by their earnest and conscien-
tious lives left an impress for good upon the communities in which they
resided.
Hiram Herring, son of William Llerring and father of William P.
Herring, was born in Denmark, Lewis county, New York, January 18,
1817. He completed his common school education at the age of seven-
teen years, after which he secured employment in the village of Oxbow,
whence he removed to Watertown and served a four-years' apprentice-
ship with Jason Fairbanks in the leather business. The following two
years he was employed at his trade during the summer months in the
city of Rochester, New York, and during the winter months he followed
the vocation of teaching. L: 1841 he settled in Rodman, purchased a
tannery of Joseph Brown, and during his forty years' connection with
this enterprise won a reputation for energy, ability and uprightness of
character. He was an earnest advocate of the principles of Democracy
as expounded by Thomas Jefferson, was a brilliant conversationalist and
a great reader of good literature. On October 23, 1843, Mr. Herring
married Paulina Prosser of Clarkson. Monroe county, New York. Their
children are : Ella, wife of Levi Washburn of Rodman ; Mary E., wife of
B. L. Barney of Hanford, California; Jennie P., wife of Dr. Charles
Douglas of Black River, New York : and William P. Herring. Hiram
Herring died at his home in Rodman July 26, 1881, aged sixty-four
years; his wife died August 9, 1884.
\\'illiam Prosser Herring attended- the common schools of his native
town, Rodman, and began his business career in the tannery owned and
operated by his father. In 1871 he went to Gouverneur to take charge
of a tannery purchased by his fath.er, the business Ijeing conducted under
the firm name of William P. Herring & Company. In 1878. ha\-ing dis-
posed of his interest in the Gouverneur tannery, ^V. P. Herring went
west and engaged in raising, feeding and dealing in cattle.
In 1878 he was employed by the Kansas City Live Stock Company
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
16<
and assisted in tlie establishment and development of stock yards in
Kansas City. From that time until igoi he was connected with either
the Atchison, Topeka &: Santa Fe, or Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul
railroads as general live stock agent.
In 1885 ^Ir. Herring became the owner of a large tract of land
in the Red River valley of Minnesota and Dakota, and for twelve years
was an extensive grower of wheat.
Simultaneous with the above period, Mr. Herring was engaged in .
the raising, feeding and shipping of cattle in Texas, Kansas, the Indian
Territory and Iowa, and still retains his ranching interest in Kansas.
In 1887 Mr. Herring became interested in paper making in Black
River, having in that year established the plant now known as the Jeffer-
son Paper Company, Black River, since which time he has built the
plants of Herring and purchased and relniilt the St. Lawrence mill at
Dexter.
At the age of twenty years Mr. Herring enlisted as private in Com-
pany G, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Regiment, New York Volun-
teers, serving with same until the close of the Civil war. rising to the
rank of first lieutenant. At the close of the war he assisted Colonel "
George W. Flower in organizing the Thirty-fifth Regiment of National
Guards, raising a large company in the towns of Rodman and Worth, of
which he was made captain.
Mr. Herring was married October 17, 1866, to Imogene C. Adams,
daughter of John and Electa Fox Adams of Watertown. Two children
complete the family of Mr. and Mrs. Herring, namely : Pauline, wife
of Colonel John W. Dillenbeck, United States Army; and Frederick W.,
treasurer of the various paper-making companies of which his father is
the head. The latter resides with his wife, Frances E. (Thompson)
Herring, at Watertown.
ALANSON D. SEAVER. Prominent among the enterprising
business men and public-spirited citizens of Jefferson county is Alanson
D. Seaver of Watertown. He comes of New England ancestry who
transmitted to him that genuine ability and sterling integrity of char-
acter which have been such potent factors in his useful and honorable
career.' His parents were natives of Brookline, Massachusetts, and Rut-
land, Vermont, and among the early settlers of Watertown. The father
was a son of Joseph Seaver.
Alanson D. Seaver, son of William and Eliza (French) Seaver, was
168 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
born January 29, 1845. i" \\'aterto\vn, where he received a common
school education and was early employed at the machinist's trade. In
1865 he entered C. B. Hoard's armory in Watertown and rapidly
picked up a knowledge of metal-working. His application and apti-
tude were such that he tiioroughly mastered the business in all its
details, and became so accomplished a workman that he was able to
secure a position as tool-maker with the Davis Sewing Machine Com-
pany in 1868. After holding this position for seventeen years, with
credit to himself and entire satisfaction to his employers, he engaged
in the insurance business, becoming associated with Frank H. Munson
under the firm name of Munson & Seaver. As city agents for the Agri-
cultural Insurance Company the firm carried on a flourishing business,
a fact due in no small measure to the industry and ability of Mr. Seaver,
whose success in commercial life has been no less marked than were the
favorable results which he secured while engaged in the calling of a
machinist. This continued until the death of Mr. Munson. In 1901 Mr.
C. F. Peck became his partner, and the business is now conducted under
the style of Seaver & Peck.
Notwithstanding the urgent and incessant demands to which Mr.
Seaver as a business man is constantly subjected, he has never neglected
the duties of a citizen, but has ever manifested an earnest and conscien-
tious interest in everythmg pertaining to the welfare of the community
in which he resides. He possesses the high esteem and full confidence
of his fellow citizens, who in 1871 elected him to the office of city clerk.
In 1884 he was called by the votes of his fellow citizens to fill the position
of county treasurer, the l^est comment upon the manner in which he ad-
ministered the office being found in the fact that in 1887 he was re-elected.
Mr. Sea\-er is a member of Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M.,
in which he held the office of master three terms. He is also affiliated
with Watertown Chapter and Commandery, and Media Temple, Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine. He is an Episcopalian, and a Republican in poli-
tics. He was married in December, 1868, to Miss Hattie E. La Mont,
a native of Geneva. New- York, daughter of Charles F. and Irene La
Mont of that town, of prominent families.
CALVIN LITTLEFIELD of Ellisburg is one of many repre-
sentatives of a noteworthy family of English origin, the American
branch of which was founded by Edmund Littlefield, who was born in
England aliout 1590. and in 1637 came to America, and subsequently
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 109
settled in Exeter, New Hampshire. In 1641 he removed to Wells,
Maine, where he built the first house, and also the first grist and saw
mill erected in the place. He was a prosperous man of the times. He
married Annis , and they were the parents of eight children.
The death of Edmund Littlefield occurred in 1661.
(H) Francis Littlefield, son of Edmund and Annis Littlefield, was
born in 1614. was with his father at Exeter, and afterward went to
Woburn, Massachusetts, whence he removed about 1646 to Dover, New
Hampshire, and there represented his town in the legislature. In 1650
he took up his abode m Wells, Maine. He was twice married and was
the father of thirteen children. His first wife was Jane Hill, and his
second Rebecca . He died in 1712 in Wells, Maine, at advanced
age.
(III) Edmund Littlefield, son of Francis and Rebecca Littlefield.
was born in 1650 in Wells, Maine, and m 1680 received a grant of two
hundred acres of land on the Kennebec river, and on this land built a
saw mill. He married Elizabeth Mott, and they were the parents of
thirteen children. His death occurred in 1718.
(IV) Nathaniel Littlefield, second son of Edmund and Elizabeth
(Mott) Littlefield, was born in 1691, in Braintree, Massachusetts, mar-
ried Abigail Spear and was the father of nine children.
(V) Edmund Littlefield, son of Nathaniel and Abigail (Spear)
Littlefield, was born April 3, 1724. in Braintree, Massachusetts, and in
1782 moved to Halifax, Vermont. He served in the French and Indian
war, in Captain Ward's company. Colonel Williams' regiment, coming
from Boston via Mohawk river. Wood creek, Oneida lake to Oswego by
boat and participating in the battle near Frontenac, now Kingston, Can-
ada. In 1775 he joined Captain William Brig's company. Colonel Read's
regiment ; was in Bunker Hill battle with his three sons and two brothers,
and later served in Craft's Artillery, and was discharged June i, 1783.
He married. October 6, 1750, Mary Castle, and the following children.
were born to them : Edmund ; Jedediah ; Josiah ; Asa : Mary ; Anna :
Jesse, mentioned at length hereinafter; Elisha and Elizabeth. This
soldier of the Revolution died in Halifax, Vermont. Edmund, Jesse
and Josiah Littlefield, sons of Edmund and Mary (Castle) Littlefield.
removed to Jefiferson county, bought lands at and near where Belleville
now stands in 1805.
Edmund Littlefield, Jr., was born in Massachusetts, February 4,
1775, served in Captain Talbot's company in the Revolutionary war.
170 GENEALOGICAL AXD FAMILY LIISTORV.
After the close of the war he moved to Coleraine. Massachusetts,
founded the Second Baptist churcli and was its pastor eighteen years.
In 1805 he came to Elhsburg, New York, bought lots 56 and 58 and
settled thereon. He was one of the founders of the Belleville Baptist
church: also the pastor of the State Road Baptist church in Adams,
serving until his death in 1806.
(VI) Jesse Littlefield, son of Edmund and Mar)- (Castle) Ljttle-
field, was born in 1761, and was a farmer in Vermont. His wife was
Elinor Pennell. Elinor Pennell was a daughter of Captain John Pennell
of Halifax, Vermont. He served in Colonel William Williams' regi-
ment from January, 1776, to July, 1782, New York State Militia. Their
children were: James, John, Jesse, Jr., Julitis. Daniel, Esther, Hannah
and Elinor.
(VII) John Littlefield, son of Jesse and Elinor (Pennell) Little-
field, was born in 1794 in Halifax, Vermont, and in 1805 came to JeiYer-
son county with his parents. He purchased a tract of land near where
Belleville now stands, which he made his home for the remainder of his
life. He was an active farmer and a soldier in the war of 18 12, being
in the battle at Sackett's Harbor with his brother James. His brother,
Jesse Littlefield, Jr., also served in the army and was in the battle of
South Branch Sandy Creek in Ellisburg. John Littlefield took a promi-
nent part in local afifairs, filling the offices of assessor and supervisor.
In politics he was a \A'hig. He married Orrilla Barney, who was born
in Guilford, Vermont, and belonged to one of the pioneer families of
Jefferson county. Mr. and Mrs. Littlefield were the parents of three
children: Calvin, born in 1823, mentioned hereinafter: Eunice, born in
1825, died in 1877: Horace, born in 1827, went to California in 1849,
and died in 1850.
Edward Barney, son of General Benjamin Barney, a Revolutionary
soldier, was born in Vermont and came to Ellisburg in the winter of
1804 with an ox team and sled, the journey occjj.pying three weeks.
Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which he
erected a log house. He married Mabel Brown, and they were the
parents of a large family, all of whom settled in Ellisburg. Their son
John was born in 1778, in Guilford, Vermont. In 1801 he married
Cynthia Potter and they had four sons and five daughters: Hiram;
David: Samuel G. : John: Orrilln, mentioned above as the wife of John
Littlefield ; Julia : Laura : Harriet and Electa. Hiram was educated at
Union Academy, Belleville, also at Union College. He was principal of
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 171
Union Academy, Belleville, and Aurora Academy, Erie county, and of
Hughs high school, Cincinnati, Ohio, and later was elected state super-
intendent of the schools of Ohio and inaugurated the union school system
throughout the state.
(VIII) Calvin Littlefield, son of John and Orrilla (Barney) Lit-
tlefield, was born September i, 1823, on a farm which is now his home.
He received his primary education in the common schools, afterward
attending Belleville Academy and Union College. Subsequently he be-
came principal of Union Academy, also of Aurora Academy. After
serving five years he became a resident of Belleville.
In 1854, '55 and '57 he was a member of the state assembly. He
is a member of the Masonic order. In early life his political affiliations
were with the Whigs and he has been identified with the Republican
party since its organization.
In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army and in connection
with Judge A. E. Cooley of Adams Centre, recruited Company K of the
Ninety-fourth Volunteers. Of this company Mr. Littlefield was elected
captain, and in March, 1862. was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He
served in the Army of the Potomac and was present at the battles of
Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, second Bull
Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam, commanding the regi-
ment in the three last named battles. On account of his disability he
resigned in November, 1862. He rendered very material aid in recruit-
ing the quota in the town of Ellisburg and of Jefiferson county, and
through his services the county's quota was filled without resort to the
draft.
After his return to civil life Colonel Littlefield was for several years
interested in St. Louis and San Francisco and Atlantic & Pacific rail-
roads, holding the office of secretary and treasurer of each company.
Colonel Littlefield was twice married. His first wife was Harriet
L. Sprague, who was born April 20, 1824, and died June 21, 1878. On
January 16, 1883, he married Laura Hungerford of Ellisburg, daughter
of Philo and Caroline (Davis) Hungerford. He has been the father
of five children, only one of whom is now living, namely, Rebecca May,
a daughter by his first wife, who is the wife of Rolland Stewart, a real
estate dealer of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has two children. Clara
Eunice and Harriet Maud.
The above article is due largely to the earnest investigations and
kind courtesy of Dr. George H. Littlefield of Glenfield, New York.
172 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
SMITH. One branch of the Smith family of Rodman is descended
from (I) John Smith, who appeared very early in Sudbury, Massachu-
setts. His wife's name was Sarah Hunt, daughter of Robert and Su-
sannah Hunt. They had four sons.
(H) Thomas, son of John and Sarah (Hunt) Smith, was bom
July 29, 1658, in Sudbury, and married Abigail Rice. He made his will
November 30, 1717. That he could write is evidenced by his signature
on this document, which was probated May 11, 1718.
(HI) Thomas (2), son of Thomas (i) and Abigail (Rice)
Smith, was born December 3, 1679, in Sudbury. His wife's Christian
name was Elizabeth. He made his will March 25, 1747.
(IV) Henry, youngest child of Thomas (2) and Elizabeth Smith,
was born April 24, 1724, in Sudbury, and married Lucretia, daughter of
Hezekiah Moore. Mr. Smith served as a private on the alarm from
Lexington, April 19, 1775, being out three days, in Captain Aaron
Haynes' Company, from Sudbury to Cambridge. He was then fifty-one
years of age, and there were several older men in the company. He
was one of the leading and best established men in the town. He had
nine children.
(V) Ezra, son of Henry and Lucretia (Moore) Smith, was born
January 13, 1754, and was married January 12, 1779, to Phebe Walcott,
daughter of Jesse and Rebecca (Conant) Walcott. Ezra Smith served
at several different periods in the Revolution. Soon after that struggle,
he moved to Nelson, New Hampshire, where the house he built still
stands. About 1802 he brought his family to Rodman, this county,
where many of his descendants now live. He died February 27, 1834.
(VI) Reuben, eldest son of Ezra and Phebe (Walcott) Smith, was
bom August 22, 1782, in Nelson, New Hampshire, and spent his life
in Rodman, from the time of his majority. He married Pamela, daugh-
ter of Jesse Wright, also a very early settler of Rodman, from Nelson,
New Hampshire, and a Revolutionary veteran. They had eleven chil-
dren.
KNOWLTON. The traditions of the Knowlton family date back
to the days of William the Conqueror. At that time there were two
brothers who won their spurs during the invasion of Wales. One of
these resided on a hill and the other on a knoll, and when William the
Conqueror invested them with the honors and insignia of knighthood he
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 173
dubbed one Hillton and the other Knowlton. All along the pages of
English history the name of Knowlton occupies an honored place.
(I) The American branch traces descent from Richard Knowlton,
a native of Kent, England. He was born in 1553, married in 1577
Elizabeth Cantize.
(II) William Knowlton, the youngest son of Richard and Eliza-
beth Knowlton, born in 1584, married Anne Elizabeth Smith, and had
six children.
(III) William Knowlton, the fourth son of William (i), adopted
a seafaring life and was captain and part owner of an ocean vessel. He
sailed for America in 1632, and died off the coast of Nova Scotia. His
body was taken ashore for burial, and his widow, after disposing of her
interest in the ship, proceeded to Hingham, Massachusetts, where it is
said she married a second time.
(IV) William Knowlton, son of William (2), born in 1615, was
a bricklayer and a resident of Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married
Elizabeth (surname unknown), and died in 1658. He had seven children.
(V) William Knowlton, the third son of William (3), born in
1642, married Susannah . He was a tailor, and was fined for
having a pack of playing cards in his house. He was the father of three
children.
(VI) Thomas Knowlton, eldest son of William (4), born in 1667,
was twice married. Eight children were the result of these two unions,
of whom Ezekial, the youngest, was born in 1707. His mother, Mar-
jery Goodhue, was the granddaughter of the Hon. William Goodhue,
who represented the colonial assembly for seven years, and who, for
resenting illegal taxation was imprisoned by Governor Andras.
(VII) Ezekial Knowlton lived at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts,
where he was a selectman for many years. He married Susannah Mor-
gan, and died in 1774, survived by nine children.
(VIII) Luke Knowlton, the fifth child and second son of Ezekial
Knowlton, was born at Shrewsbury in 1738. In 1760 he married Sarah
Holland, and thirteen years later removed to Newfane, Vermont. He
was a man prominent in the affairs of life. At the age of twenty-one he
entered in the regular service of the continental army and served during
the French and Indian war, in 1759, at Crown Point, Fort Ticonderoga
and at other points. His journal, kept during his military career, is still
in existence. After his removal to Vermont he represented the town of
Newfane in the state legislature for seven terms, was a member of the
174 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
old council from 1787 to 1793., judge of the \\'indham county court and
judge of the .sui:)reme court in 1786. Judge Knowlton's declining days
were darkened with suspicions regarding his loyalty to the state of
Vermont. He died December 12. 1810, survived \)\ six children.
(IX) Calvin Knowlton. the oldest son of Judge Luke Knowlton,
\\as born in Newfane January J2. 1761. He graduated from Dart-
mouth College in 1788. studied law with his father and achieved eminent
success at his profession. He died January 20. 1800. at Newfane. But
two children were born from his union with Sophia Willard, George
Willard Knowlton, the oldest, first seeing the light of day on January
19, 1795, at Newfane.
( X ) Ceorge Willard Knowlton, whose long, helpful and wonder-
fully acti\e life came to an unexpected end on October 18, 1886, was a
potent and influential factor in the improvement of the literature, morals
and material growth of the Black River country, a land unique, set apart
by itself, of peculiar richness in natural resources, and the birthplace of
many great and good men. He stood for many years as the almost
solitary link that bound the present to that far-away time when the
pioneers of this new land boldly ventured all and dared all to found a
second New England — a land of churches, of schoolhouses, and of a
profound respect for law. He was a man of rare characteristics and
possessed a strong magnetic personality. He was calm amid the fiercest
turmoils, and only deeply aroused when some great moral question affect-
ing the public weal, or patriotism, called forth words of condemnation
and wrath.
George W . Knowlton lost his father when he was but five years old,
antl he was early left to his own resources, acquiring" but a limited educa-
tion. In 181 1, when only sixteen years of age, he secured employment
in the distillery at Warehouse Point, Connecticut, operated by General
Jenks, and remained there during the period of the war of 1812-13.
This was before the days of temperance societies, and he afterward often
expressed himself as being very thankful that he did not grow up a
drunkard, fn 1816, ujjon attaining" his majority, he began business
for himself m a general store at Brattleboro, Vermont, in which he was
fairl_\- successful. In 1824 Mr. Knowlton entered into partnership with
Clarke Rice, a young printer, in the purchase of some property in \\"ater-
town, Jefferson county, Xew ^'ork, which Messrs. Holbrook and Fes-
senden of Brattleboro. Vermont, uncles of Mr. Knowlton, had taken to
secure a debt, Mr. Rice came to Watertown at once, and Mr. Knowl-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 175
ton in the following year, 1825. Their purchase consisted of a book
store, bindery, printing ofifice and two paper mills. The latter were
operated by hand, and produced about one hundred and twenty-five
pounds of paper each per day. Finding it difficult to dispose of any
considerable (|uantit}- of paper, they turned the product of their plant
into school ]:ooks, blank books and even miscellaneous books for public
school libraries, and in a short space of time the name of Knowlton &
Rice became familiar to every school boy in several neighboring counties.
In 1854 jNlr. Knuvvlton retired from active business pursuits, and as
long as his strength would permit he devoted considerable time to gar-
dening, of which occupation he was particularly fond.
Mr. Knowlton was one of the original members of the Second
Presbyterian, now Stone Street church, and was elected an elder of that
church in 1832, "which office he held until his death. During his early
life he was an abolitionist and later a Republican, for the logic of fate
would not permit liim to lie anything else. This logic also made him
an ardent adnnrer of the illustrious Abraham Lincoln, who was not per-
mitted, as Mr. Knowlton was. to witness the full fruitiun of all his
hopes in a united, great nationality. He performed every duty devolv-
ing upon him with the strictest fidelity, was a patriotic and public-spir-
ited citizen, and he was always ready and willing to do his full share
toward every public improvement.
In August. 1830. Mr. Knowlton married Elizabeth Carroll, who
bore him five children : Elizabeth, deceased ; Sophia, deceased wife of
Charles Perkins; Maria, deceased wife of John H. Rice: John C. and
George W. Knowlton. who survive their parents.
(XI) John Calvin Knowlton, elder son of George \\\ and Eliza-
beth Knowlton, was born February 22. 1837, in \\'atertown, which city
has been his home, and to whose development he has contributed no
mean part, both in moral and material things. He attended the public
schools of his native city and Cortland Academy, at Homer, New York,
which latter institution he left at the age of seventeen years, to begin
his business career. He acted for some time as clerk in the late Wooster
Sherman's bank and. subsequently, in what is now the National Union
Bank. In 1877 '""-' became a director of the Jefferson County National
Bank, and soon after was n-iade \-ice-president, becoming president and
manager in 1897. resigning m Januarv. 1904, and was again made vice-
president. In the latter mo\-ement. he exchanged places with Mr. George
B. Massey. who had been vice-i)resident, and took the presidencv. as Mr.
176 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
KnoAvlton's successor. j\lr. Knowlton is also a director of the Thousand
Island Bank, of Alexandria Bay.
In 1861 Mr. Knowlton, in association with his brother, took up
the operation of the paper mill formerly operated by their father. The
business has since been conducted under the name of Knowlton Brothers,
which became a corporate title in 1892. About 1888 Mr. J. C. Knowlton
resigned from active management of the mill, though he still has an
interest in it. Its capacity has been increased until it now represents
twenty times the product put forth when the senior Knowlton operated
it, a fact creditable to the executive ability, energy and business probity
of its owners.
While active in promoting business interests, Mr. Knowlton has
borne the part of a good citizen, in developing along right lines the social
and political life of his native city. He is a member of the First Presby-
terian church, in which he has been long an elder. While he subscribes
to the general principles enunciated by the Republican organization, he
is not a strict partisan, and does not always support the entire ticket put
up by the party leaders. He is recognized, however, by all shades of
political opinion as an earnest well-wisher toward every movement in-
tended to conserve the general welfare. He became a member of the
board of water commissioners of the city in 1872, and has since continued
in that capacity, having been several years president of the board. He
was the representative of the second ward on the board of supervisors
a considerable period, and was chairman of the board one term. He
was long chairman of the Bureau of Charities, from which he retired
one year ago, and is president of the Societies for Prevention of Cruelty
to Children and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As chairman of
the administration committee of the Flower Memorial Library, he will
have further opportunity to promote the best interests of the community,
and find congenial occupation for his time. His interest in education, and
its recogTiition by his contemporaries, is testified by the fact that he
served many years as school commissioner.
Mr. Knowlton was married December 3, 1863, to Miss Susan M.
Fiske, daughter of the late Isaac H. Fiske (see Fiske).
A genial and affable gentleman, a true representative of the long
line of worthy New England ancestry, Mr. Knowlton enjoys the friend-
ship of his fellow citizens and, with the consciousness of duty well done,
his years are being passed in easy contentment, peace and continued well-
doing.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 177
(XI) George Willard Knowlton, a prominent man of affairs of
Watertown, son of George Willard and Elizabeth (Carroll) Knowlton,
was bom in 1S41, in High street, Watertown, and received his education
in the local schools.
In 1856, at the age of fifteen, he went to learn the business of
paper manufacturing in the mill of Chamberlin, Farwell & Company, and,
during the time spent there, acquired a thorough knowledge of the
process in all its branches. In the course of time the firm failed, and
Mr. Knowlton, in conjunction with his brother, John C. Knowlton, pur-
chased the mill. The latter had, from boyhood, been connected with a
bank, and was prepared to advance $1,200 toward the establishment of
a business. The brothers entered into partnership, and their father
endorsed their note for $5,000. The enterprise was highly successful,
and the partnership remained undissolved until 1888. Long before this,
Mr. Knowlton's remarkable executive talents and undisputed integrity
of character had earned for him a high position in business circles, and
when, in 1892, the business was incorporated, he was made president,
a position which he still holds. His son, George Seymour Knowlton,
is secretary and treasurer of the company, which still bears the title of
Knowlton Brothers. The success of the business and the deservedly high
reputation enjoyed by the owners are due, in large measure to the sagacity
and administrative talents of the president, aided and enforced by the
ability and ctose application to business of the other officials. When
the Ontario Paper Company was organized Mr. Knowlton accepted the
position of president, but this company, in 1898, dissolved, disposing of
its stock to the International Paper Company. Since 1900 he has held
the position of president of the St. Regis Paper Company. To his labors
as a business man Mr. Knowlton adds those of a financier, filling the
office of president of the Watertown National Bank, and is president of
the American Paper and Pulp Association ol the United States. The
temperamental conditions and powers of mind which have enabled Mr.
Knowlton to direct the affairs of large organizations and to conduct diffi-
cult and complicated transactions, are combined with a benevolence of
spirit which prompts him to do all in his power to aid and uplift the
needy and struggling, wherever they may be found. This disposition
finds expression in individual acts of philanthropy, and in his able admin-
istration of the office of treasurer of the Jefferson County Orphan Asy-
lum. He is an active member and an elder of the First Presbyterian
church. As a citizen he is prompt and active in the discharge of all
178 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
his political obligations, takes a Jveen interest in the cause of reform,
and is ever an advocate of wisely directed progress. In the sphere of
politics he is identified with the Republican party, supporting, by his influ-
ence and vote, the men and measures which it upholds, and the principles
emlxidied in its platforms.
Mr. Knowlton married Frances G., daughter of John Clarke, in
1862 and two children were born to them, George Seymour and Elizabeth
Frances (Mrs. Geo. V. S. Camp). In 1868 Mr. Knowlton and his chil-
dren were deprived by death of the wife and mother, whose loss was
also keenly felt by a large circle of friends. Mr. Knowlton. in 1870,
married the lady who is now the presiding genius of liis home, — Ger-
trude S.. daughter of Adrial Ely. By this second marriage there are
three children, Theodore Ely, Carroll Foster and Gertrude \\'illard.
The first of these is a civil engineer, and has done much in railroad con-
struction in the United States and Canada.
BENJAMIN F. HARRINGTON. Benjamin Franklin Harring-
ton, a progressive and practical agriculturist of Rodman, traces his ances-
try to two brothers by the name of Harrington, who were arrivals in
America soon after the coming of the famous Mayflower. Nathaniel
Harrington, great-grandfather of Benjamin F. Harrington, was born
May 15, 1726, and his wife, Mary Harrington, born October 17, 1729,
bore him the following-named children : Waity, born September 6, 1749 ;
Caleb, March 7, 1751 ; John, April 21, 1853; and Nathajiiel, Jr., June 23,
1757. Caleb Harrington, eldest son and second child of Nathaniel Har-
rington, born March 7. 1751, moved from Connecticut or Rhode Island
to Clarendon, Vermont. He married Sally Perry, who died July 11,
1827, and their children were: Rhoda, born December i, 1781; Cyril,
June I, 1783: Nathaniel, March 14, 1785: Azuba, Octc»ber 20, 1788;
Polly, December 30, 1790; and Caleb. Jr., May 3, 1801. There is a
monument erected to the memory of Judge Tbeophilus Harrington at
Clarendon, Vermont : he is one of the early ancestors of this family.
Nathaniel Harrington, father of Benjamin F. Harrington, was born
in Clarendon. Vermont, March 14, 1785. During the early years of
the nineteenth centur)-. he penetrated into the wilds of Jefferson coun-
ty. New York, in quest of game, and was engaged for several years in
hunting and fishing, and during this time he selected a spot for his future
home in the present town of Rodman. In 1806, he located on the land,
which is still in the possession of the family, then consisting of one hun-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 179
dred acres, to which he afterward added until his possessions amounted
to about two hundred and se\enty acres. He cleared the farm, which
was then in a state of complete wilderness, and during- all this period
experienced the pri\-ations incident to a pioneer life. He made his way
from Rome to this section of the state by means of marked trees, and
for several years was about the only settler. He was successful in his
operations; was recognized as a man of means in his day, and was always
a firm champion of the rights of the people. He served several years
as county commissioner, fulfilling his duties with promptness and efiici-
ency. In early manhood he cast his vote with the Democratic party, but
later transferred his allegiance to the opposing faction, the Republican
party. He served in the war of 1812, participated at the battle of Sack-
etts Harbor, and while he was preparing for his service his wife was
moulding bullets ; he was one of the pensioners of that Vv'ar. For over
thirty years he was an active member and a. liberal contributor to the
State Road Baptist church, of Adams.
Nathaniel Harrington married Diana Edmonds, July 4, 1808. She
was born in 1789, a daughter of Eliphalet Edmonds, a native of Ver-
mont, whence he migrated tO' the vicinity of Boonville, New York, later
coming to Jefferson county, where he served as judge of the county for
many years. Nine children were the issue of this marriage, eight of
whom attained years of maturity, namely: Sally, lx>rn in 1809, became
the wife of Howard Beard, a cooper of Rodman, later a merchant, and
for several years a justice of the peace. Betsy, born October 24, 1810,
became the wife of Daniel Fox, second, a carpenter of Adams Center.
Eri, born April i, 1813, a resident of Adams, New York, having attained
the advanced age of ninety-one years. Electa, born April 23, 18 15, be-
came the wife of Volney Ayres, a farmer of Adams. Riley, born Sep-
tember 27, 1820, a farmer, died December 30, 1862. Nathaniel, born
August 5, 1822, died at the age of twenty-twO' years. Harry, born Sep-
tember 16, 1824, a farmer of Rodman, and Benjamin F., mentioned here-
inafter. The father of these children died June 4. 1890; he survived
his wife many years, her death occurring June 4, 1854.
Benjamin F. Harrington was born on the farm in Rodman, where
he now resides, May 18, 1827. He obtained a common school education,
and his active career has been devoted to farming, which has proved a
lucrative means of livelihood. For several years he taught music, being
thoroughly qualified for that vocation, as he is a fine musician and culti-
vated singer, the flute being his particular instrument for pleasure. He
180 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
has led the choir of the Adams First Baptist church for the long period
of forty years. He is a most estimable citizen, honored and esteemed
for his sterling worth and honorable character.
Mr. Harrington married, January 22, 1852, Jennette A. Sweet, born
June I, 1828, daughter of Ira and Anna (Green) Sweet, whose ances-
tors were among the pioneer settlers of this county. Her grandfather,
Cliarles Green, was one of the first settlers of the Green settlement, after
living in Pinckney, New York, as a pioneer. Two children were born to
Benjamin F. Harrington and wife, namely: Ellano, born January 15,
1858. a farmer of the town of Adams: Charles E., born April 2, 1861,
a merchant in Amsterdam, New York, manager of a five and ten cent
store of the Woolworth syndicate.
EDWIN BILLIN. Edwin Dillin, a prosperous agriculturist of
the town of Rodman, was born at Plcssis, in Alexandria, Jefferson county,
New York. August 23, 1847, a son of Lodiwick and Julia Ann (Suits)
Dillin. and grandson of William and Matilda (Hawkins) Dillin.
William Dillin was born May 27, 1770, probably in the state of
Connecticut. He is supposed to have resided in the vicinity of Utica,
New York, whence he removed in 1800 to Brownville, bringing his family
thither the following year. His first settlenient was on the site of the
present \illage of Brownville. He worked at the trade of carpenter, and
in association with his brother-in-law, Edward Hawkins, built the first
sawmill there for Major Brown. Subsequently he purchased and cleared
a farm located one mile north of the village, which proved a most profit-
able in\'estment. He was a member of the militia during the war of 181 2,
and assisted m burying the dead after the battle of Sacketts Harbor.
There is a tradition in the family that his father, William Dillin, and
Ned Hawkins, father of his wife, participated in the battle of Bunker
Hill, where William Dillin, senior, lost his life. William Dillin and
Ned Hawkins cut the first road from Watertown to Brownville. Mrs.
William Dillin and a daughter, Cynthia, were precipitated into the water
from a boat while crossing to Brownville, and narrowly escaped drown-
ing. At first they were supposed to be dead, but finally were resusci-
tated.
Lodiwick Dillin was born in Brownville, New York, August 29,
18 1 3. His educational advantages were very limited, and at an early
age he began clearing land, later becoming the owner of a farm in Alex-
andria, which is now owned by one of his sons, James Dillin. He was
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 181
prosperous in all his undertakings, and therefore was enabled to accu-
mulate a comfortable competence. He was a man of positive convictions,
exerted a powerful influence for good in the community, and was one
of the organizers of the Baptist church of Redwood, in which he served
as deacon for many years, and was also the principal contributor in the
building of the edifice. During the last twenty years of his life, lioth
he and his wife resided in the home of their son, Edwin Dillin. and
their church membership was transferred to the Baptist church of Adams
Centre. By his marriage to Julia Ann Suits, who was born October
i6, 1818, in Harrisburg, Lewis county. New York, a daughter of Adam
and Catherine Suits, the following named children were born : Nancy,
who became the wife of John Gray, of Clayton : Louise, who became the
wife of William Taylor, of Lawrence, Michigan, where her death
occurred March 22, 1887; Cordelia, who became the wife of Casper
Ecker, of Plessis, New York: James, a farmer, residing at Alexandria
Bay, New York; Edwin, mentioned hereinafter; Sarah, who became the
v.-ife of Edward Maxom, of Adams, New York, a farmer ; Matilda, who
became the wife of Orley Burdick, a farmer, residing at Greenwich,
Washington county. New York. Lodiwick Dillin died as aforesaid at the
home of his son, Edwin Dillin, September 2, 1903; his wife survived
him a few months, passing away January 14, 1904.
Edwin Dillin was reai-ed on his father's farm in Alexandria Bay,
obtained a practical education in the common schools of the neighbor-
hood, and for several winters thereafter served in the capacity of teacher.
In 1865 he purchased his present farm in Rodman, New York, which
consists of one hundred and eight acres of well cultivated land, the
products of which, being of excellent quality, find a ready sale in the
nearby markets. He is one of the three stockholders of the cheese fac-
tory located near the northwest corner of the town of Rodman, and is
also treasurer of the same. For a period of almost twelve years he served
as the first and only postmaster at Dillin, the postofifice being in his
home, but now the free delivery system is in use in that section of the
county. He is a member and deacon of the Baptist church at Adams
Centre, contributing liberally of his time and money to its support. He
is also an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and active in
local affairs, having served nine years as assessor. A Republican in
politics, he is looked upon as an upright and honorable man. and is much
respected by the entire community.
On September 16, 1870, Mr. Dillin married May Harrington, of
182 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Adams. Xew York, and one child was born to them September i6, 1871,
Florence, now the wife of William W. Mantel, a farmer, residing in
Rodman, and they are the parents of four children, as follows : Harry,
Laura, Dorothy and Florence. Mrs. Dilliii died November 20, 1876.
Mr. Dillin chose for his second wife Eliza Van Pelt, of Champion, New
York, born October 13, 1856, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Graves)
Van Pelt, of West Carthage, New' York, the former named being a
cooper and manufacturer of butter tubs. The ceremony was performed
February 23, 1878. Their children are: John Raymond, born August
7, 1882. is engaged on the farm with his father, and is graduate of a
short course in agriculture at Cornell University; Ethel Louise, bom
December 29, 1884. now a member of the Training Class of Teachers
at Antwerp high school; and Ruth Mildred, born August i, 1894.
FRANKLIN ALLEN HINDS, of Watertown, New York, is dis-
tinguished in Jefferson and adjoining counties of northern New York
as a civil engineer. He is possessed of business as well as professional
ability, and has been concerned in many financial enterprises in Water-
town, as well as in the construction of railroads and water-works, and
in laying out parks and estates throughout that region.
He is of English descent, the founder of the family in America,
James Hinds, having come to New England in 1635. His son John,
born in 1659, married Mary Butler in 1681, and lived in Lancaster, Mas-
sachusetts, where their son John was born in 1683. John married Han-
nah (Whitaker) Coriis. of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and was the father
of thirteen children, of whom Coriis, who lived in Barre, Massachusetts,
and operated a mill on the Ware river, married Janet McMaster, Sep-
tember 6, 1742. He died in 1821. at the age, it is said, of 105. Of his
nine children, Coriis, born in 1748 and who was a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary war, married Susanna Henry, daughter of an Englishman
who died on a French prison ship, having been captured during the
French war at Oswego, New York. Coriis and Susanna (Henry) Hinds
w-ere the parents of eight children, of whom two, Coriis and Thomas,
were pioneers in the Black river country. They married sisters, the
daughters of David Bent, of Mt. Holly, Vermont, Polly being the wife
of Coriis. He was one of the early settlers of Jefferson county, and the
first supervisoi- of Watertown on its organization as a township.
'Hiomas Hinds, born in 1780. married Phoelje Bent and opened a
niercanlile business in Mt. Holly. In the autumn of 1809. however, he,
View in Watertown Park
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 185
with his family, followed his hrother Corlis into northern New York.
The way lay through the valleys of the Mohawk and Black rivers, and
the journey was a most difficult one. Rivers were to be forded, and
stretches of forest passed through. In crossing the West Canada creek
the wagon with its occupants and load of household goods was swept
down stream and barely rescued. They stopped at Denmark, Lewis
county, where they lived for two or three years, afterward moving to
Champion, Jefferson county. Here the family settled on a farm between
Tylerville and Copenhagen. Thomas Hinds was a soldier in the war
of 1812, and took part in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. He had twelve
children, of whom Earl Bent became the father of Franklin A. Hinds.
Earl Bent, son of Thomas and Phoebe (Bent) Hinds, was born in
Denmark, New York, October 25, 181 1. He was a farmer, and lived
in the town of Watcrtown on what is known as Dry Hill. In 1845 the
family moved to Pamelia. Earl B. Hinds married Almira Allen, whose
Scotch blood had been modified by several generations of residence in
New England. Barnabas Allen came from Scotland to Gloucester, Mas-
sachusetts, early in the eighteenth century, and his son Barnabas was
born in Seekonk, Rhode Island, about 1740. The second Barnabas had
a son, Benjamin, who lived in Cheshire, Massachusetts, and was a major
in the Revolutionary war. His son Reuben was the father of Almira.
who became the wife of Earl Bent Hinds. The two children of this
marriage were Franklin Allen and Oscar Earl Hinds.
Franklin Allen Hinds is the eldest son, and was born November 17,
1843. He grew up on his father's farm, and received the elementary
education of the public schools. His training as an engineer was begun in
practical work in Jefferson county, and at twenty-one he went to Port-
land, Oregon, where he studied under the county and city surveyors for
two years. He had a year of technical training in the engineering de-
partment of Yale College, and then spent a year working under an
engineer in New York city, who was a specialist in landscape and drain-
age work. Returning to Jefferson county, Mr. Hinds was engaged in
the early surveys of the Black River & St. Lawrence Railroad (now the
Carthage and Adirondack). After the preliminary surveys of this road
were completed, he was made chief engineer of the Carthage, Water-
town and Sacketts Harbor Railraad, holding that position until the line
was finished. Later he laid out and mapped, as a landscape architect,
many of the famous parks in the islands of the St. Lawrence, Thousand
Island Park, Westminster Park. Round Island Park, and Central Park
186 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
hcmg among the best known. .\s an engineer, he superintended the con-
struction of the Kingston & Pembroke Railway in Canada, and following
that he was for two years in charge of the surveys of the New York
and Boston Inland Railway. He was city engineer of Watertown
for several terms, and made the survey for the city boundary when it
was first incorporated. He has also been engaged in the construc-
tion of water works for municipal supply in various localities. He
formed a partnership under the firm name of Hinds, MofTett & Com-
pany, which carried on that line of business for a number of years, Mr.
Hinds selling out his interest to his partners in 1885. At this time he
was concerned in the establishment of the Ontario Paper Mills near
Brownville. of which company he is now a director. In 1S89 he formed
a partnership with E. A. Bond for general engineering and waterworks
construction. The firm put in water works in the villages of Antwerp,
Theresa, Philadelphia, West Carthage and Cape Vincent, in Jefferson
county, as well as in several Canadian towns. The partnership was
dissolved in 1896, and since that time Mr. Hinds has been engaged in
general hydraulic and mechanical engineering, his work for the most
part being in the Black river valley. The sun'eys for Watertown Park
were made under his direction, from which the design was drawn by
Olmsted Brothers, landscape artists, of Brookline, Massachusetts, and
the work of development was carried out by Mr. Hinds. His work has
favored the development of a taste for natural science, and he has given
much study to local geological formations, and has published the results
of his observations. Throughout his business life he has been an in-
spiriting example to the younger men who have come under his employ,
through his kindly interest in their welfare and his own well-regulated
life. He has preserved the simple tastes and temperate habits of his early
life, and for more than twenty-five years he has lived on a suburban farm
alK)Ut one and one-half miles from the business center of Watertown.
He has been a member of the board of water commissioners of Water-
town since 1880, and for the past ten years has been vice-president of
the l)oard. He has always given his support to any movement for the
business advancement or improvement of the city. He is identified
with Trinity church, and has been one of the vestrymen since 1887.
Mr. Hinds was married December 25, 1867, to Mary R. Thomson
of Watertown, formerly of Houseville, Lewis county. Mrs. Hinds' moth-
er was of the sixth generation in descent from William Peabody of
Plymouth. Massachusetts, whose wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 187
Aklen and Priscilla Mullins of Mayflower fame. George Peabody, the
philanthropist, was of the same descent. Mrs. Hinds' parents were Wil-
liam and Mary (Peabody) Thomson. One son, Earl William, born to
Mr. and Mrs. Hinds October 22, 1870, died June 3, 1872.
WILLIAM H. MOORE, a prominent and influential business man
of Watertown, New York, also president of the Watertown Savings,
Loan and Building Association, was born in Saratoga Springs, New
York, August 26, 1841, a son of Hiram and Mary (Selleck) Moore.
Hiram Moore, his father, was a native of Stafford, Vermont, and a
member of a family which was actively and prominently identified with
religious work, his brother, John Moore, and also his nephew, John
Harvey Moore, being prominent ministers of the Universalist denomina-
tion. During his entire business career Hiram Moore devoted his atten-
tion to railroading, and was in charge of the first engine which made the
run north from Saratoga, New York. Later he removed to Watertown
and for many years filled the position of superintendent of repairs on the
Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad. He was an unpright and
honorable man, a public-spirited citizen, and a consistent member of
the Methodist Episcopal church. Hiram Moore and his wife, daughter
of James Selleck of Schenectady, New York, were the parents of five
children, one of whom, Elisha M., occupied the position of general freight
agent of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad for many years.
Two children died in infancy. Melissa Selleck, a daughter, now resides
in Watertown. Hiram Moore died in 1874, and his wife passed away
August 29, 1898.
William Harvey Moore acquired a common school education, which
thoroughly qualified him for a life of usefulness and activity. At the
age of fifteen years he began his business career by taking employment
in a dry goods and notion store, operated by Candee & Winslow, in the
town of Watertown, and by his industry and close application to busi-
ness soon won the confidence and esteem of his employer. In 1865 he
was admitted into partnership with his employer, Norris Winslow, the
firm being N. Winslow & Compan}', and from that date conducted an
extensive wholesale and retail trade in dry goods and notions until Sep-
tember, 1886, and requiring the services of several experienced com-
mercial travelers. On September 24, 1878, in order to close out a certain
line of notions, they placed a table in the center aisle of the store, had
bills printed and distributed throughout this and adjoining towns, and
188 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
during fair week inaugurated the famous five-cent business, which has
attained such a remarkable degree of prosperity during these latter
years. The venture was a success from the start, and in 1886 the dry
goods stock was closed out, and for a time the firm of Moore & Smith
did a large business in supplying country merchants witii exclusive five-
cent goods ; they sold the first stock to F. W. Woolworth, the proprietor of
the Woolworth Syndicate, operating over one hundred f.ve and ten cent
stores in the large cities of the United States. They not only furnished his
first stock on credit, but subsequently aided him in the same way for a year
or two. Since that an exclusive retail business has been carried on by Mr.
Moore alone, on the same corner where the five-cent business originated.
Nothing over ten cents is asked for any article. In addition to the success-
ful management of his extensive business, Mr. Moore is the president of
the Watertown Savings, Loan and Building Association, which was or-
ganized December 19, 1887, and incorporated January 7, 1888. He is a
member of Trinity (Protestant Episcopal) church, serving in the capacity
of treasurer and vestryman since September 2. 1868, and is also a Mas-
ter Mason. He is a manber of the Royal Arcanum and the Independent
Order of Foresters, and an exempt fireman. He brought to Watertown
the first automobile in the city, and is still an enthusiastic automobilist.
He is a member of the Union and Jef¥ersonian clubs and Crescent Yacht
Club of Watertown. Since 1865 he has been continuously in business on
his own account in the same store, and is the oldest merchant in point
of time engaged in the city. His store is on what is known as "The
American Corner," in the American Block.
Mr. Moore was married January 15. 186S, to Etta Gennet, a daugh-
ter of Washington Gennet of Watertown, New York, and two chil-
dren were the issue of this union — Clara J., now the wife of Charles
Learned of Watertown; and Louis W. Moore, a resident of Water-
town. Mrs. Moore died August 29, 1899. Mr. Moore has commanded
the respect of all with whom he has come in contact, either in a business
or private relation, by his sterling integrity and faithfulness to every
trust reposed in him.
THE WOOLWORTH FAMILY. This is a name of which
northern New York is proud, its native representatives having conferred
distinction upon their nativity by their sterling worth and the ability
displayed in the establishment and management of large financial insti-
tutions and other extensive business interests. It was found staunch
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 189
and loyal in the Revolutionary period and again in the late Civil war,
furnishing numerous soldiers in defense of their country.
(I) The first of the name in this country was Richard Wool-
worth, who settled at Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1678. On Christ-
mas eve of the same year he married Hannah Huggins, of that town.
The record of his marriage spells the name Woolery, and other records
of the same town spell it Woolworth. He had taken the oath of alle-
giance at Ipswich when he arrived at Newbury, and was then thirty
years old. In those days it was very difficult to obtain permission to go to
New England, and many who intended New England as their destina-
tion went first to Virginia, because no obstacles were offered to their
emigration to that colony. Among the eighty-four passengers of the
" Plain Joan," who landed in Virginia May 15, 1635, was Richard
Wooley, born 1600. This vessel sailed from Gravesend, England, and
all its passengers had " brought attestations of their conformitie to
the order and discipline of the Church of England." As it is known
that large numbers found their way to New England by way of Virginia.
there is good basis for the supposition that Richard Woolworth of
Newbury was a son of Richard of Virginia. Many authorities vouch for
the fact that the termination " worth," found in so many names, signi-
fies a court, a farm, an island or other place of 'possession, and it is prob-
able that Richard Woolworth adopted it upon receiving a grant of land.
It is well known to the genealogist that the same name receives various
spellings in the records of New England, even when written by its pos-
sessor. On August 10, 1680, Richard Woolworth received a grant of
land, among one hundred persons, in the southeastern part of Southold,
then a part of Massachusetts, now Suffield, Connecticut, and on the
record of this grant the name is spelled Wooley. His land adjoined
that of John Huggins, a brother of his wife. He took up his residence
upon this land at once, and died there December 20. 1696. His wife
died October 19, 1691. Three of their daughters died in early child-
hood. A daughter and son survived. Hannah, born in 1681, was fif-
teen years of age at her father's death, and was allowed to administer
the estate. The only further record of her is her marriage to John Gleason
in 1704.
(II) Richard, only son of Richard and Hannah Woolworth, was
born December 6, 1687, in Suffield, where he passed his life. He was
married September 15, 17 14, to Elizabeth Hall, of Taunton, Massachu-
setts, and they were the parents of eight children. The name of Eliza-
190 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
licth Hrill \\'onl\vortli is the first on the records of the First Congrega-
tion Chnrch of Snffield, with which slie united by letter June i. 1716.
(III) Timothv. third son and fifth child of Richard (2) and
Elizalieth \\'oolworth. was born May 17, 1722, in Sui^field. where he
was married June 3. 1747, to Mercy Olds, who was born April 30, 1724.
and liaptized 1747. They hafl ten children, of whom three died in in-
fancy, all of the survivors being sons.
(IV) Phineas. sixth son of Timothy and Mercy Woohvorth. was
l)orn October 31, 1754. in Suffield, and died in the town of Pinckney,
Lewis county, this state, in 1819. He was married in 1781 to Mercy,
daughter of Captain Simeon and Grace (Phelps) Sheldon, of Suffield.
Her paternal grandparents were Thomas and Mary (Hinsdale) Sheldon,
and Thomas was a son of Isaac Sheldon,, the first of the name in New
England. The last named settled in Windsor. Connecticut, whence he
removed to Northampton, Massachusetts, and died in 1708. Phineas
and Mercy Woohvorth had six sons and three daughters. No record
of their births is to be found in Suffield or Granville. Massachusetts.
The wife was admitted to the First Baptist Church of Suffield, by con-
fession of faith, on the first Sabbath of September, 1802, at the church
on what is now called " Hastings Hill." Family tradition says that
they left Granville, Massacfiusetts, in the early part of the year 1806,
traveling with oxen and sleds, and leading a cow. They settled in the
town of Denmark, near Copenhagen, and later removed to Pinckney.
where the father died, as above noted. The mother died in 1831, in
the town of Lisbon, St. Lawrence County, and her remains were finally
l^laced beside those of her husband, in Pinckney. She was bom Octo-
ber 10. 1758. Phineas was a highly successful farmer, antl was able
to give each of his children seventy acres of land, during his lifetime,
reserving one hundred acres for himself. With four of his brothers,
Phineas \\'ool worth participated in the battles of Lexington and Bunker
Hill, and otherwise served in the Revolutionary army. After serving
in the alarm party, being one of twenty-three men to respond first from
Suffield, under command of Captain Nathaniel Hayden, he enlisted
May 13 in the Tenth Company and was discharged December 17, 1775.
(\') Thaddeus. eldest child of Phineas and ■Mercy Woohvorth.
was born in 1782. in Suffield, and came with his father to Lewis county.
Xew York. In February. 1808. he went back after his bride. Miss Han-
nah Palmer, of Soutlnvick, Jvlassachusetts (which town adjoins Suf-
field). and thev were married in Suffield on the sixth of that month.
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 191
by Rev. Joseph Hastings. The marriage was solemnized in Suffield to
avoid the delay necessitated by the laws of Massachusetts in publishing
the banns. Returning to Pinckney. New York, he tilled his farm there
and died in March. 1852. aged about seventy years. His widow sur-
vived him over twehe years, passing away in July, 1864, aged seventy-
five years. They were the parents of five daughters and three sons.
Enoch, the second son, died at five years of age. All the others grew to
maturity and married.
(VI) Gilbert Enoch, fourth son and seventh child of Thaddeus
and Hannah Woolworth, was bom ]\larch 18, 1821, in Pinckney, and
obtained a practical education in the public schools of that town. He
was a farmer and dealer in cattle, achieving success, and operated a
flour mill at Deer River for several years, moving to Watertown in
1865, where he subsequently dealt largely in grain. During his resi-
dence in Lewis county he was honored with several positions of respon-
sibility, including the offices of supervisor and sheritif. After the expira-
tion of his term in the latter station he refused to lie a candidate for
further honors, and moved to Deer Rixer, same countv. His death
occurred very suddenly, while apparently in his usual health, at the
Phelps Hotel in Henderson, March 14, i8gi. Seized with a severe pain
in the temple while in con\-ersation, he immediately became unconscious
and expired before iiis wife and son could reach his side from Water-
town.
Mr. \\'oolworth was twice marrietl. His first wife. Elizabeth
Smith, to whom he was married October 29, 1844, passed away in 1854.
leaving an only child, Smith T. She was born June 25, 1797, daugh-
ter of Pamela (Waldo) Smith (see Waldo, VI). On August 19, 1,856,
Gilbert E. W'oolworth was married to Mary E. White, of Taberg,
Oneida county, daughter of Israel and Abigail F. (Taft) White, of
New England ancestry. Mrs. \\'oolworth was born February 28. 183 1,
in Annsville. New York. She survives her husband. Her children
were: Gilbert White, died at seven years of age; Elizabeth Mary, resid-
ing with her mother in \Vatertown : and Leland Gilbert, a merchant of
that place.
(VII) Smith Thaddeus Woolworth, only child of Ciilljert E. and
Elizabeth Woolworth, was born February 14, 1849, '" Pinckney. He
is one of the leading and influential citizens of W'atertown, has taken
an active part in pronrnting the substantial improvement and material
development of the ttiwii, has commanded the respect of his fellow
192 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
townsmen by his sterling- worth, and his rectitude of character and
faithfidness to trust furnish an example well worthy of emulation. He
obtained his preliminary education in the common schools adjacent to
his home, in Martinsburg and Deer River, and this was supplemented
by attendance at the Lowville Academy. From the completion of his
school days until 1864 he assisted with the work of the farm and mill
operated by his father, and in that year he secured employment in the
bank at Carthage, New York. In August, 1865, he located in Water-
town, and accepted a position in the bank of C. G. Hargee & Son,
where he remained until 1869, when his impaired health compelled him
to resign. For a short period of time he was employed in a newspaper
office, later was an employee in the bank of George F. Paddock & Co.,
and in December, 1869, became a teller in the Jefferson County Na-
tional Bank, being promoted to the position of cashier a year later, in
which capacity he is serving at the present time (1905). For ten years
he served as receiver, and during this time closed up the business of
the Homestead Fire Insurance Company, of Watertown.
Mr. Woolworth is an honored member of the Universalist Church
of Watertown, in which he has served as treasurer and trustee. He
is a Democrat in political affiliations, and a pi^ominent Mason in fra-
ternal relations, having served as treasurer and recorder of his lodge;
also an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias. Mr. Woolworth has re-
ceived the nomination for mayor, alderman, congressman and county
treasurer, but on account of the strong Republican sentiment existing
in the town and county he was defeated. He was the first president
of the Jeffersonian Club, the leading Democratic organization of the
county, the pioneer political organization of Watertown. He has been
a member of the local board of education, the board of public safety and
at the present time (1905) is serving on the board of public works. He
is also a trustee of the City Hospital, and has served as trustee and
president of the Union Club of Watertovrn.
On July 22, 1873, Mr. Woolwortii married . Anna Wilhelmina
Clark, daughter of William H. Clark, of Washington, D. C. Six chil-
dren have been born of this union, four of whom are now living : Eliza-
beth, Amy, Gilbert and Wilhelmina Woolworth. Mrs. Woolworth is
active and prominent in church and philanthropic work, and is a mem-
ber of the executive committee of the auxiliary board of the City Hos-
pital. She has served as a director and president of the ladies board in
charge of the Jefferson County Orphans" Home for several years ; and
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. 193
is a charter member of " The Greeks." the first ladies' literary or study
ckib organized in Watertown. Her father was a Virginian of Fairfax
county, of EngHsh descent and related to Sir Robert Peel ; and her
mother Margaret Ellen Sengstack, was a daughter of Charles Seng-
stack, of Washington, whose parents were from Bremen, Germany, to
Frederick, Maryland, and who married Catherine Haller, of Cumber-
land, Maryland, of an old Holland family.
(V) Chauncey, second son of Phineas and Mercy (Sheldon)
Woolworth, was born in 1785, in Suffield, and was about at his majority
when he accompanied his father to Lewis county. In common with
others of his father's children he received seventy acres of land, and to
this he added by his industry and thrift. He continued to till his land
until advancing years compelled him to abandon active labor. He died
at the home of his daughter in Tylerville. in 1876, aged ninety-one
years. In 1807, he married Betsey Granger, who was born in 1786, a
daughter of Deacon George Granger, of Southwick. ^lassachusetts, and
his first wife, Lucy Campbell (see Granger). Chauncey Woolworth
was a man of fine mind, popular and in advance of his day, being well
educated for his time, and served as assessor and town clerk in Pinck-
ney. A Methodist in religious faith, he attended the worship of that
denomination with his family. He was a Whig, and among the found-
ers of the Republican party. His first wife died about 1834, and he mar-
ried in 1836 Fanny Stoddard, who was the mother of two of his chil-
dren. There were six sons and three daughters. Norman, the fourth
son, was killed by lightning at the age of sixteen }-ears : Eunice, the eld-
est daughter, died when four years old ; and Levi, the youngest child,
reached the age of ten years, only.
(VI) Volney, third son and child of Chauncey and Betsey
(Granger) Woolworth, was born June i, 1S12, in Pinckney, where he
grew up. On attaining manhood he settled on a farm in Denmark,
Lewis county, containing one hundred and sixty acres. This he sold
in 1847 ^nd removed to Champion " Huddle," where he purchased one
hundred and seventy-four acres, and continued to live upon and till this
farm until his death, March 6, 1878. He was an industrious and suc-
cessful farmer, fond of good horses and stock of all kinds. He main-
tained a dairy of forty cows, and raised the largest steer on record,
which he always personally fed and cared for. It was sold for $420 to
a New York man, who kept it two years and then dressed over four
thousand pounds of beef from it. Mr. Woolworth drove large herds
194 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
of cattle, one of 306 head, from Canada here, and from here to Massa-
chusetts. In his last years he did a large husiness in pressing hay.
While in no sense a politician he was a firm adherent of the principles
of the Republican part}-, and served as highway co 
