Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 112

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354

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The father carried on farming in the town of Kent, Litchfield Co., Conn., until 1867, when he purchased the " Putnam House, " the name of which he changed to the "Pratt House." This hotel has been greatly improved since that time, and is now one of the best equipped in the county, everything being provided for the convenience and comfort of the guests. Since coming to Dutchess county, Mr. Pratt has also engaged in buying and selling sheep, cattle and horses, and in this line of business has been quite successful. Previous to 1857, he was a Whig, but since that time has been a firm supporter of Republican prin- ciples. A strictly moral, upright and temper- ate man, he has never gambled, bet on a horse race, or been drunk in his life. He makes his home with our subject.

Peter Pratt, whose name begins this sketch, spent his boyhood days in the town of Kent, Litchfield Co .. Conn., attending the district schools and assisting his father in the operation of the farm. In 1865 he married Julia A. Stone, of New Milford, Conn., and they have one daughter, Minnie S.

Since 1867 Mr. Pratt has successfully en- gaged in the hotel business at Amenia. The greater part of his present hotel has been erected since locating there, so that the place is now a comfortable, modern structure, neatly

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furnished, and the cuisine is all that could be desired. Like his father, he is also an ardent Republican, and socially is a member of Amenia Lodge No. 672, F. & A. M.

J OHN C. DUBOIS, one of the leading mer- chants of Wappingers Falls, Dutchess coun- ty, combines energy and pluck with excel- lent judgment, an embodiment that has brought great success to his efforts and labors. His entire life has been passed at that village, where his birth occurred on June 20, 1857, and those who have known him longest are numbered among his most faithful friends.

The paternal ancestors of Mr. DuBois were French. In his native land Jacques DuBois married Pierrone Bentyn, and April 15, 1675, sailed from France to America, locating at Kingston, Ulster Co., N. Y., thus becoming the founders of the family in the New World. Their son Pierre wedded Jeannetje Burhans, and to them was born a son, Jonathan, who was united in marriage with Ariantje Ooster- hout. The son of the latter, Cornelius (1) DuBois, married Charity Griffin, and their son, Cornelius (2), a farmer by occupation, was the grandfather of our subject. . He was born at Saratoga, N. Y., and by his marriage with Deborah Payne became the father of twelve children, namely: Parmelia, Jane, Har- riet, Elizabeth, Chester, John, Charity, Cor- nelius G., Smith, Richard, Harvey and James. The family were mostly members of the Pres- byterian Church.

John DuBois, the father of our subject, was born January 1, 1825, at Saratoga, N. Y., and upon the home farm he remained until nineteen years of age, when he began teaching, which profession he continued to follow up to the time of and several years after his mar- riage. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary S. Scofield, and was a native of Fishkill, Dutchess county, where her father, Cornelius Scofield, was also born. He was of English extraction. Her mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Warren, and she was a relative of Gen. Warren, of military fame. After their marriage the parents of our subject made their home at Wappingers Falls, N. Y., where the father taught in the old Wappinger Seminary for several years. In 1857 he began merchan- dising on Market street, having a general store, and continued at his first location until 1863, when he removed to another building on the

same street. Later, he conducted the busi- ness across the creek in the Egan building, in partnership with Adam Bently, which connec- tion was continued until 1868, when he sold out. He then opened a wholesale dry-goods business, conducting same until called from this life, May 18, 1876. He had just erected his beautiful residence, where his widow now makes her home. He was a conscientious and faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, in the work of which he took an active part, and his political support was unwaveringly given the Republican party.

During his early life our subject aided his father in the store, under whose able direc- tions he became a thorough business man. After the death of the latter, his uncle, James B. Scofield, had charge of the store until he, too, was called from this life. Our subject then purchased the stock, and since 1879 has successfully conducted a general store. He carries a large and well-selected stock, and is abundantly able to meet the demands of his customers. In November, ISSI, he married Miss Ada M. McKeel, a native of Cold Springs, N. Y., and a daughter of Caleb McKeel, who was of English origin. One child graces this union: Chester M., born in August, 1882.

Mr. Du Bois is an influential member of the Republican party, and takes a conspicuous part in public life. In 1895 he was elected a member of the village board, in which position he is still serving. He is prominently identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias, the American Mechanics, and the American Legion of Honor. He and his wife contribute to the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they en- joy the esteem and respect of all in the com- munity.

A LEXANDER W. SLEIGHT, supervisor of the town of Lagrange, Dutchess coun- ty, was born in that town July 4, 1841, and is the son of Peter R. and Catherine S. (Barnes) Sleight.

The ancestors of our subject were original- ly Holland-Dutch, who came to this country in 1652, and the known record extends back five generations, to Cornelius Barentsen Sleght, who came from Worden, Holland, on the Rhine, and who married Miss Tryntje Tysen Bos, from Bue Stee, Holland. The name was spelled Sleght until the time of James, grandfather of our subject. Matthew Sleght,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son of Cornelius, married Maria Magdalena Crespel. Jan, son of Matthew, married Miss Elizabeth Smeedes. Abram, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in the city of Kings- ton, where he spent his boyhood and received his early education. He married Miss Ariantje Elmerndorf, and moved to what is now the town of Lagrange, cleared the farm land, built a stone house, and reared his children there. He died October 21, 1800. She died in 1796.

James, or Jacobus, Sleight, our subject's grandfather, was born in the old stone house above mentioned April 19, 1753, and died September 2, 1833. He married Miss Elsie Deriemer, and the following children were born to them: James Edwin, Peter R., Elsie I)., Harriet E., Henry A., all of whom are de- ceased. In 1776 Mr. Sleight served seven months in the Revolutionary war at Fort Mont- gomery, under Capt. Dorfand, as orderly ser- geant, and in 1777 he served seven months at Fort Constitution, and then went with the army as first lieutenant under Capt. Henry Wynkoop, and was with it when Kingston was burned. In 1778 our subject's grandfather served one month under Gen. Scott at White Plains, and at Fort Independence, near King's Bridge, as quartermaster under Zephaniah Platt, colonel. He was afterward made a colonel. [The foregoing is from the Archives of the State of New York, Vol. 1, page 473, and is taken from records left by Mr. Sleight in his own handwriting and signed by him. ] He took a prominent part in the affairs of La- grange, where he held the office of justice of the peace.

Peter R. Sleight, father of our subject, spent his boyhood days upon the farm, and in attending the district schools, also the Jacob Willets school, in the town of Washington. He was married in the town of Poughkeepsie ( first) October 3, 1827, to Sarah K. Barnes, who was the daughter of David Barnes, of Poughkeepsie, and one child, James Edwin, was born to them, August 31, 1829, who died September 16, 1868. Mrs. Sleight was called from earth October 20, 1829, and Mr. Sleight married (second) Catherine S. Barnes (sister of his first wife) December 18, 1832, and the fol- lowing children came of this union: Sarah A .. born September 5, 1835, was married Novem- ber 14, 1860, to Stephen M. Ham; David B., born April 30, 1838, was killed in the battle of Averysboro, N. C., March 16, 1865 (he held

the rank of first lieutenant); James Edwin married Frances E. Titus, March 9, 1853, and they had four children-Mary Kate, Rhoda, Sallie, and Frances. Peter R., the father, was captain of a company of militia, and was as- sessor, commissioner of highways, and railroad commissioner when the town was bonded. At the time of his death he was president of the Dutchess County Mutual Insurance Co., to which office he was elected in 1881, and for several years was a director of the First Na- tional Bank. In politics he was a Republican. On December 18, 1882, he and his wife cele- brated their golden wedding. Mr. Sleight died in Lagrange, March 15, 1888, Mrs. Sleight on February 11, 1894.

Alexander Wheeler Sleight, our subject, spent his youth on the paternal farm in the town of Lagrange, where he attended the district school, also the Dutchess County Academy, and the Cornwall Collegiate School. He was married in Lagrange October 7, 1868, to Miss Mary C. Pells, a daughter of John G. Pells, and the following children were born to them: Josephine W., March 14, 1875; Peter R., April 19, 1877; and David B., November 27, 1880. Mr. Sleight was elected supervisor of Lagrange on the Republican ticket for ten terms. He is a member of the B. P. O. E., or Elks, and is a popular and public-spirited citizen.

J TACOB GRIFFEN, a citizen who has been useful in his community, and ever taken a

prominent place in the enterprises tending to the enlightment of the people; the friend of education, and active in all good works, has all his life been a tiller of the soil, and still finds therein his great pleasure.

Elihu Griffen, grandfather of our subject, was an early resident of Westchester county, N. Y., where his entire life was spent in agri- cultural pursuits. By his marriage with Cath- erine Underhill he became the father of three sons (all now deceased), named, respectively. Daniel, Jacob and Abraham. He belonged to the Society of Friends, and always attended the monthly meetings in New York City, mak- ing the trip thither on horseback.

Daniel Griffen, the father of our subject, was born near the city of Sing Sing, in West- chester Co., N. Y., June 11, 1790, and there attended the district schools of the neighbor- hood. He remained under the parental roof

Jacob Griffen

Alice Griffen

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until his marriage, in [810, with Phoebe Davenport, who was born August 17, 1793. They became the parents of nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Mary D., August 11, 18II : Judith M., January II, 1814; Abigail S., April 6, 1817; Esther H., April 19, 1819; Elihu, September 6, 1821; William D., February 12, 1824; Jacob, Octo- ber 10, 1825; Catherine E., December 27, 1830; and Lydia Sigourney, April 29, 1834. All are now deceased with the exception of our subject and his sister, Judith M., who is now the widow of the late Alexander Haviland. The father engaged in farming in North Castle township, Westchester county, until 1826, when he removed to the present farm of our subject in the town of Clinton, Dutchess coun- ty, and there continued to make his home un- til his death, August 26, 1858; his wife died June 11, 1874. They were faithful members of the Society of Friends, and in a church of that denomination were married. As was the custom at that time, they rode to the house of worship on horseback, and our subject still has in his possession the saddle used by his mother. Although the father started out in life a poor boy, he worked his way steadily upward by persistent and untiring efforts until he secured a comfortable competence, and was numbered among the weil-to-do citizens of the town.

Jacob Griffen, our subject, was born in North Castle township, Westchester county, whence when an infant he was brought to the farm which is now his home, and in the town of Clinton he began his education under the instruction of private tutors, and in private schools. Later he entered a boarding school at Westtown, Penn., and completed his literary studies at the Nine Partners Boarding School, in the town of Washington, Dutchess county. In that town,. October 10, 1878, Mr. Griffin was married to Miss Alice Wilson, by whom he had three children: Catherine, Anna and Frances Elsie.

With the exception of the twelve years during which he farmed an adjoining place, our subject since his infancy has lived on the old home farm, which he successfully operates. He has served as commissioner of highways in the town of Clinton, to which position he was elected on the Republican ticket, that being the party with which he always affiliates. The entire family are members of the Friends Church, to the support of which they contrib- 39

nte liberally, and heartily co-operate in its good works. Mr. Griffen is public-spirited and enterprising, giving his support to all measures which he considers beneficial to the community.

Mrs. Griffen was born in the town of La- grange, Dutchess county, a daughter of John V. and Mary Ann (Barnes) Wilson, and re- ceived her education in the town of Washing- ton. where she had her home up to the time of her marriage. Her father was born in Un- ionvale town in 1832, and died in 1864, in the army, while serving as a member of Company I, 158th N. Y. V. I. By his marriage with Miss Mary Ann Barnes he had five children: Henry G., Alice, Thurston J., Clarence and Belle, the last two being now deceased. Mrs. Griffen's grandfather, John Barnes, born in 1792, died when about seventy years of age. Her grandmother, Mary Wilson, died July 5, 1879, at the advanced age of eighty years.

C .YRUS F. HAWLEY, the proprietor of a large dry-goods store at Millerton, ranks among the leading merchants of northern Dutchess county, and the adjacent portion of Litchfield county, Conn. His family is of English origin, and his ancestors were early settlers of the village of Hawleyville, Fairfield Co., Conn., where Harmon Hawley, his father, was born about 1809. His grandfather, Haw- ley, was born probably at the same place. Harmon Hawley was a hatter by trade, and followed this occupation for a few years at his native town. He married Emma Freeman, a prominent resident of the town of Amenia, and shortly afterward moved to Wawarsing, Ulster Co., N. Y., where he established a sawmill and charcoal furnace. He was a man of fine business ability and great energy. He bought and cleared large tracts of land, which he afterward disposed of, and carried on the two. enterprises with great success until his death, which occurred in his forty-eighth year. His wife survived him with seven children: Will- iam, Martha, Cyrus, Fannie, Josephine, Charles and John.

The subject of our sketch was born at Amenia Union, March 24, 1846, and was edu- cated mainly in the district schools of that vicinity, attending the Amenia Seminary only one year. These somewhat limited advantages have been improved upon in later years by reading, and his information covers a wide

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range. At the age of thirteen he began work on a farm in the town of Amenia, and at six- teen he became a clerk in Sharon, Conn., for G. A. Kelsey and G. B. Reed. Here he re- mained ten years, acquainting himself with all the details of mercantile life, and in 1876 he and two others formed a partnership under the firm name of Beach, Hawley & Co., and estab- lished a store at Millerton. After the death of Mr. Beach in 1886, the firm name remained C. F. Hawley & Co. for three years, when Mr. Reed withdrew, and since that time Mr. Haw- ley has conducted the business alone. In 1894 he built one of the finest stores to be found in any town of the size in the county. His trade is very large, extending throughout a wide territory, where his enterprise and sound judgment have won him the confidence of the people.

Mr. Hawley takes an active interest in all that concerns the advancement of the commu- nity, and has been ready to promote any move- ment for the public good, but although he has always been a Democrat, he never joins in politic- al work. He married a member of one of the oldest families, Miss Martha Brown, daughter of Douglass Brown, of Northeast, and has one son, Cyrus.

E DWIN G. VAIL, of the town of Unionvale, one of the younger members of the board of supervisors of Dutchess county, was born in that town October 15, 1861, the younger of the two sons of Elias and Lavina (Cornell) Vail.

Isaac Vail, our subject's great-grandfather, was for many years a resident of Unionvale, and died August 1, 1801, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife, Lavinia (Ketcham), passed away March 1, 1803, aged fifty-eight years. Their son, Elias, our subject's grandfather, was born in Unionvale in 1775, and followed farming as his life work. He died August 3, 1851. his wife on July 20, 1851. She was born in 1781. and was a daughter of David Duncan, a na- tive of the town of Dover, where he was a merchant farmer.

Elias Vail, father of our subject, was born September 15, 1823, and was the youngest of the thirteen children born to Elias Vail, Sr .. and his wife, Hannah (Duncan) Vail. He was twice married, first time, in 1853, to Lavina Cornell, by which union were born two chil- dren: W. C., of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and

Edwin G. It is believed that their mother descended from Perry Green White, who came over in the " Mayflower," and whose son, or daughter, was the first white child born in the New World. Mrs. Vail died October 22, 1861, aged thirty-six years, and for his second wife Elias Vail married, January 10, 1867. Miss Jane W. Haight, of the town of Wash- ington, Dutchess county, a daughter of John J. Haight. Mrs. Vail died January 21, 1891, aged fifty-eight years.

JOHN FRANCIS MYERS. To the thrift, industry and economy of the German immi-

grants this country owes much, and finds among their descendants many of our most substantial and respected citizens, and to this class belongs John Francis Myers, of New Hamburg, the subject of this sketch.

The family to which Mr. Myers belongs is one of the oldest in Dutchess county, the first of the American line having come from Ger- inany at an early date, locating at what is now known as Myers' Corners, in the town of Wap- pinger, where the homestead has ever since been maintained. John Myers, the grand- father of our subject, was a farmer and hotel- keeper, a Democrat in politics and a prominent man in the locality. He married Susanna Bussing, and reared a family of seven children: Joseph, who went to California and died there; Pcter, a resident of . Hughsonville; John, who was an extensive land holder: Francis, our subject's father; Deborah; Elizabeth (de- ceased), formerly the wife of Henry Patterson; and Amelia, the wife of Edward Bayard.

Francis Myers, the father of our subject, was reared on the old home farm, and married Ann Roy, a native of London, England, and an aunt of William K. Roy, of Wappingers Falls. For some time after. his marriage Francis Myers followed farming in his native town, but in 1855 he became employed in a grocery at Wappingers Falls, and moved his family there. In 1860 he went to New Ham- burg, and engaged in the manufacture of black- ing: but later was in the grocery business, which he carried on successfully until 1895, when he retired. He has always been a Dem- ocrat, and served as supervisor of the town of Poughkeepsie for several years; he and his wife now live in Florida. To this worthy couple have been born five children: Anna, who (first) married J. E. Willard, of New Hamburg, and

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after his death wedded (second) Walter Jame- son, of Walden, N. Y .; Charles is the super- intendent of the Southern Express Co .; at Jacksonville, Fla .; Mary married Dr. Russell Dean, of the same city; James R. is a farmer at the homestead; and John Francis, the youngest of the family, is the subject of this review.

John Francis Myers was born December 7, 1856, at New Hamburg, and has spent his entire life in his native place, with the excep- tion of two years at Wappingers Falls during his childhood. Under the careful tuition of his father, he so mastered the details of the grocery business at an early age that, although one of the younger business men of the place, he became one of the most successful and enterprising, conducting a retail grocery, which commanded an extensive trade, and which is now conducted by Mrs. H. A. Myers. In 1882 he married Miss Harriet Scofield, daughter of William Scofield, a well-known farmer of near Low Point (formerly known as Carthage Land- ing ). Three children were born of this union : James L., Eeleelah and Francis S. Mr. Myers is a public-spirited citizen, and, like his ancestors, is a Democrat in political faith. He and his wife are prominent members of the Reformed Dutch Church, of which his family have always been influential adherents.

M ORTIMER B. COLE is prominently identified with the business interests of the town of Pleasant Valley, being actively en- gaged in the retail feed, grist and saw mill businesses in Salt Point, where he also con- ducts a general store and sells farming imple- ments, etc. His success has all been achieved by his own unaided exertions, and as the years have passed he has gained experience and busi- ness ability, which have secured him prosperity while yet in the prime of life.

Mr. Cole was born in the town of Pleasant Valley, December 13, 1854, and is a son of Charles N. Cole, whose birth occurred in Put- nam county, N. Y., January 1, 1820. His paternal grandfather, Elisha J. Cole, also a native of Putnam county, was the son of Jesse Cole, who was born in New England, and at an early day located in Putnam county, where he married a Miss Ogden. He there engaged in the grist, saw and carding mill business. In his family of seven children, four sons and

three daughters, were Hiram and Jesse (both farmers, ) and Elisha J., the grandfather of our subject. In his native county the last named grew to manhood, and in 1800 married Lydia Frost, after which they located upon a farm, where they reared four children: Charles N., George, and two daughters who died while young. He died in the town of Pleasant Val- ley, Dutchess county, in 1879, his wife having preceded him to the world beyond. In relig- ious belief he was a Baptist; politically, he first supported the Whig party, and later the Re- publican. His youngest son, George Cole, was a wholesale liquor dealer, but is now living re- tired in Chicago, Illinois.

After completing his own education, Charles N. Cole taught school for a time. He was united in marriage with Miss Jane Ann Budd, who was born in the town of Pleasant Valley in 1827, and is a sister of Joel and Albert J. Budd, prominent citizens of Dutchess county. To them were born two children: Edward, who was killed in infancy; and Mortimer B., of this review. The parents located upon a farm which the father operated until his death, which occurred September 4, 1891, but he also in- vented many different articles, being of an in- genious turn of mind. He was a strong Re- publican, and held many local offices of honor and trust. His estimable wife is still living on the same farm, which is managed by Mortimer B. Cole.

In the usual manner of farmer boys, our subject spent his childhood, receiving his ele- mentary education in the district schools, after which he pursued his studies for two winters at Pleasant Plains, and finished his education in the Amenia Seminary. Returning to the farm, he later married Antoinette Sands, a na- tive of the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, and a daughter of Isaac G. Sands, who was also born in Stanford town, and was of En- glish descent. For one year the young couple lived upon a farm, but the following year Mr. Cole worked his father-in-law's farm. The next two years, however, were spent in agri- cultural pursuits, after which he ran a skating rink in New Jersey for a short time, and on returning to this county again worked his fa- ther-in-law's farm for a couple of years. In 1887 he came to Salt Point, where he pur- chased a half interest in a gristmill and flour- mill, but the following year bought out his partner, and has since conducted the business alone. He is also engaged in sawing lumber,

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and deals in all kinds of general merchandise and farm implements.

Three children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cole, namely: Stanley S., born Novem- ber 11, 1881; Jennie B., born May 27, 1884; and Pinnia, born December 29, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are active in the community. He is a strong believer in the principles of the Republican party, which he always supports with his ballot.

C HARLES H. DUNCAN. This gentleman bears the family name that figures promi- nently in the annals of Dutchess county, his ancestors having been long and prominently connected with the history of Pleasant Valley. The Duncans, of whom we write, are origi- ally of Scotch extraction. The grandfather of our subject, Joshua Duncan, was for many years assistant superintendent of the cotton factory at Pleasant Valley, and was widely known as a straightforward, honorable busi- ness man. His political support was given the Republican party. Both he and his wife spent their last days in the locality where they had so long made their home, and where they had reared their family of six children, namely: Mary, wife of George Cramer; Margaret, wife of Richard Cronkrite, a farmer of the town of Pleasant Valley; Rachel, wife of John McCord. a native of Dutchess county, now living in Denver, Colo .; Janc, widow of Samuel Bullock, and a resident of Pleasant Valley; John B., the father of our subject; and Henry, a farmer of the town of Lagrange.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 112

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354