Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 114

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

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W ILLIAM H. PARKER has, since 1872, been a successful merchant of Hughsonville, Dutchess county, dealing in stoves, house furnishing goods and groceries. His fair dealing and systematic methods of doing business have won for him the confi- dence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact, and his property has been acquired by the exercise of sound judgment, good busi- ness talents and industry.

Thomas Parker, father of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, born at Chester, in ISO0. The family is of Welsh origin, three brothers having come from that country and settled in America about 1650. When ten years of age the father became a resident of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he learned the tin, sheet-iron and copper trade, and later followed his chosen occupation at Rochester, Troy and Elmira, N. Y. In 1841 he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., but his last days were passed at Dubuque, Iowa, where he died in December, 1856. In early life he was a Whig in politics, but later supported the Democratic party. He was a very religious man, a faithful member of the Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged. Thomas Parker was united in marriage with Miss Sarah De Groff, who was born in 1804, at Poughkeepsie, where their marriage was celebrated, and was the daughter of Cornelius De Groff, a native of the same place. The De Groffs were originally from France, but, on going to Holland, they intermarried with that nation, and representatives of the family came

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to America at a very early period in the his- tory of this country. Shortly after their mar- riage the parents of our subject removed to Troy, N. Y., where part of the children were born, the remainder being born at Rochester. They are as follows: Jeffrey A., a resident of Dubuque, Iowa; Adaline, deceased wife of William R. Anderson, a captain on the Mis- sissippi river; Thomas, who died in Milwau- kee at the age of eighteen years; Maria and Julia, who died in infancy; William H., of this review; and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Prest, of Whitinsville, Mass. The mother's death occurred at Hughsonville, N. Y., in 1893, when in her ninetieth year.

At Troy, N. Y., on July 4, 1837, William H. Parker first opened his eyes to the light, and was only a year old when taken by his parents to Elmira, where they remained a short time. As early as 1841 he became a resident of Milwaukee, Wis., where his boy- hood days were passed, and there he learned the tinner's and plumber's trade with Henry J. Nazro & Co. In May, 1856, he started overland to Kansas by cattle train, and was three months en ronte. He traveled exten- sively through the West and South for some time, but finally, in 1858, came to Poughkeep- sie, Dutchess county, where he remained for a short time. He then worked at his trade in many large cities, including Cincinnati, Pitts- burg, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. On the outbreak of the Civil war, he went to Monticello, N. Y., where he enlisted in the First New York Mounted Rifles, but because of a rupture did not enter into active service.

In June, 1864, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Mary Kelly, a native of Orange county, N. Y., and a daughter of Thomas Kelly, who was of Irish extraction. Nine children were born to them, but four died in infancy. Those still living are Willard, Fred, Jennie, Charles and Addie, all at home. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Parker located at Wappingers Falls, where he worked at his trade for A. W. Armstrong for three years, and the following year was in business for himself at that place. Going to Troy, N. Y., he engaged in the wholesale spice-box business, manufacturing tinware there for four years. Since 1872, however, he has been a resident of Hughson- ville, where he has engaged in his present line of business.

Politically, Mr. Parker affiliates with the Republican party, being one of its most ear-

nest supporters, and he takes quite a prominent part in public affairs. In 1889 he was elected justice of the peace, in which office he served for four years, for the same length of time was the efficient postmaster of Hughsonville; in 1893 was elected supervisor of Wappinger township, and at the end of a year was re- elected, serving in that position until the pres- ent time, when superseded by Mr. Barlow. He is a very intelligent man, being well-read on literary and scientific subjects, and is one of the prominent inen in the community, stand- ing high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens.

M ILES HUGHES. In past ages the his- tory of the country was the record of wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive com- mercial interests. Mr. Hughes is unquestion- ably one of the most successful men of Dutch- ess county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to every-day common sense, guided by resistless will power, are the chief character- istics of the man. He is at the head of a large mercantile establishment at Staatsburg, where he is also engaged in handling grain, feed and flour, having one of the finest elevators in the county; is president of the Fallkill Knitting Co., of Poughkeepsie; president of the Dutch- ess Land Co., vice-president of the Gilbert Arnold Land Co., and is also largely inter- ested in property at Superior, Wisconsin.

The family is of English ancestry, being founded in America by those of the name who took up their residence in New England dur- ing Colonial days. The great-grandfather of our subject, Christopher Hughes, was a native of New Haven, Conn., and in early life was a sea captain. He was the first of the family to

come to Dutchess county, where he purchased about 600 acres of land in the town of Hyde Park, southeast of Staatsburg, also the prop- erty on which A. J. Briggs is now living. His son, Christopher, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the first officers in the town of Hyde Park after it was set off from Clinton. He was born in New Haven, Conn., and by

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occupation was a farmer, operating the land which his father had here purchased. He was one of the leading members of the locality, took an active part in Church work, and was one of the founders of St. James Episcopal Church at Hyde Park. He married Rachel Paulding, belonging to the family of which John Paulding, one of the captors of Major André, was a member, and also James Kirk Paulding, the author and statesman. Of this union eight children were born: Samuel; Miles; Christopher, the father of our subject, who is the only one of the sons now living: Brooks; Elizabeth, who married Mr. Wade, of Albany county, N. Y .; Harriet, who became the wife of John Uhl; Maria, who wedded Mr. Skidmore; and Lucinda, wife of Hercules Reed, of Hulburton, New York.

Upon the family homestead in the town of Hyde Park, the father of our subject was born, in July, 1805, and has always followed agri- cultural pursuits, in which he has been suc- cessful, being a man of good judgment in busi- ness matters. He married Miss Sarah Lamo- ree, daughter of John Lamoree, who belonged to one of the oldest families of Dutchess coun- ty, of French origin, and was one of the most successful farmers and prominent men of the community. Mrs. Hughes is one of a family of seven children, the others being Daniel; Isaac; George V .; Nathaniel; Millie, who married Harris Marshall; and Mary, who wedded Jeremiah Shultz, of 'the town of Clin- ton, Dutchess county. To the parents of our subject were born four children: Sarah, now the widow of Jacob Cookingham; Miles, of this review; Edgar, who died at the age of fifteen years; and Lucinda. In his early years the father took a great interest in military matters, being captain of a cavalry company in the State Militia, and was always known by his associates as Capt. Hughes. He is still living at the advanced age of ninety-one years, while his devoted wife is in her eighty-ninth year. He early became connected with the Episco- pal Church of Hyde Park, but now holds mem- bership with the Church at Staatsburg, in the work of which he takes an active part, and has always served as one of its officers. Pub- lic interests also receive his attention, espe- cially educational affairs, and for many years he served as school trustee. His political support has always been unswervingly given the Democratic party.

Miles Hughes was born April 8, 1836, on

the old family homestead at Staatsburg, Dutchess county, and received a good aca- demic education, finishing his literary studies at Hinsdale, Mass., where he went with the in- tention of preparing for Williams College. At the age of eighteen, however, he left school and began teaching in the home school, hold- ing that position for about six months. He was very successful in that undertaking, and now looks back upon his work there with as much satisfaction as anything he has accom- plished in life. For about seven years after- ward he assisted in the cultivation of the home farm; but in February, 1864, he began the gen- eral merchandising in connection with a Mr. Wood, of Clinton town, and the firm contin- ued to do business for some seven years, when our subject bought out his partner's interest, and has since conducted the concern alone. He has one of the largest trades in the county, won by the high grade of goods which he car- ries, fair and honorable dealing, and his court- eous treatment of customers. He has been successful in all his business ventures, the re- sult of his own untiring efforts.

In October, 1865, Mr. Hughes was mar- ried to Miss Pier, of Upper Red Hook, Dutch- ess county, daughter of Benjamin S. Pier, for- merly of New York City, but later a resident of Upper Red Hook, N. Y. As a coppersmith he made the first pans for the Borden Con- densed Milk Company. Five children grace the union of our subject and his wife: Edwin B., in the store at Staatsburg, and Marian, both living; and Pier, Mary and Emily, all three deceased. Mr. Hughes is a fine repre- sentative of the Republican party, always a firm supporter of its principles, and has served as justice of the peace. He takes great inter- est in St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, of which he is a member, and is now senior war- den. Public-spirited in a high degree, he has ever been loyal to his home interests, and the town owes as much to Mr. Hughes as to any other man for its growth and stability, while throughout the community no one is more widely or favorably known.

L OUIS YOUNG was born August 24, 1837, at a place called Oberingelheim, in Ger- many, and came to America when he was thir- teen years old. The following eight years were spent mostly in traveling through the country on pleasure trips, and when he had reached the

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age of twenty-four years, he had settled down in Wappingers Falls, where he was employed for ten years by John Barlow in the bakery business. In 1858, Mr. Young purchased the business from Mr. Barlow, and carried it on until the time of his death, which event took place November 12, 1889. He was very suc- cessful in his undertakings, being a man of strict honesty, careful management, and reliable in all his methods of dealing. He started in'life in the village with a capital of fifty cents, and at his death left property valued at $10,000.00. He built the brick store which he occupied, and the one now occupied by Matthew J. Cashin, and also two brick houses on Mesier avenue.

On November 21, 1871, Mr. Young was married to Miss Eliza Smith, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., a daughter of Thomas Smith, a native of England. Of this union four daughters were born: Josephine, Mary, Sarah and Wilhelmina. They are all young ladies of culture and refinement, and with their mother are popular members of society.

Mr. Young was a Republican, but never as- pired to become an office holder. He was quiet and unostentatious, and used his influence in making improvements in the village, and doing good in an unobstrusive manner, rather than in seeking prominence for himself. He will long be remembered for his many kindly deeds. Socially he belonged to Wappinger Lodge, F. & A. M .; Lafayette Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and the Legion of Honor. The family are all members of the Episcopal Church, to which their father was a liberal contributor.

E DWARD ELSWORTH PERKINS, law- yer, born in the town of Poughkeepsie, February 4, 1863, is one of the prominent young members of the Dutchess county Bar, and a son of Alexander W. Perkins and his wife, Elsie A. Kay.

The old homestead, known as the " Spack- enkill Farm" (now owned by Edward), stands on the post road between the city of Pough- keepsie and Wappingers Falls. There Mr. Per- kins had the usual experience of a country boy, attending thedistrict school in the neighborhood until the age of fifteen, when he entered Pel- ham's Institute, on Montgomery street, in the city of Poughkeepsie, for a three-years' course. At the expiration of that he returned to the farm for two years, and then at the age of twenty commenced to prepare for his profes-

sion in the law office of O. D. M. Baker. At the age of twenty-one he was elected justice of the peace of his town, which office he held for three years. In 1886 he was admitted to the bar at the December term of the Supreme Court held in Brooklyn, having the highest standing in a class of seventy. He immedi- ately engaged in practice at the city of Pough- keepsie, in the office of his preceptor, and met with a degree of success.

Mr. Perkins in 1887 was one of the organ- izers of the Poughkeepsie & Southeastern Railroad Company (now the Dutchess County R. R.), extending from Poughkeepsie Bridge to Hopeweil Junction, and was elected its first secretary and treasurer.

In 1890 Mr. Perkins went to Texas for New York and Philadelphia capitalists, and engaged in organizing and building the exten- sion of the Fort Worth & Rio Grande railroad form Comanche to Brownwood. Completing this work, he went to Fort Worth, Tex., and associated with T. L. Marsalis, of Dallas, Tex., in the completion and extension of the Dallas & Oak Cliff railroad, and later in the building of the West Dallas railroad. of which Mr. Perkins became president.

Mr. Perkins while in Fort Worth was elected president of the American Savings Bank and Trust Company, and was chosen by the Travelers Insurance Company, of Hart- ford, Conn., as their financial and loan repre- sentative for the State of Texas. In 1893 he organized the American National Bank; was elected a director and its first vice-president. In 1893 he removed to his native town, and resumed the practice of his profession.

Mr. Perkins is one of the governors of the Dutchess Club, member of the Gentlemen's Driving Club of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County Golf Club, Poughkeepsie Tennis Club, and is a Democrat in political faith.

On June 23, 1891, Mr. Perkins married Miss Mary D. Beard, daughter of Col. O. T. Beard, a prominent resident of Poughkeepsie. Their children are three in number: Olive Elizabeth, Jeannie Marie and Argenta.

D OUGLAS MERRITT, one of our most es- teemed citizens, residing upon a beautiful farm called " Leacote," is of the sixth genera- tion in descent from Thomas Merritt, who set- tled at Rye, Westchester county, in 1670, and was a prominent citizen, and a deputy to the

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General Court of Connecticut in 1699. He had four sons: Thomas, Joseph, Ephraim and Samuel, of whom, Joseph, who died in 1754, left three sons: Joseph, Thomas and Nehemiah.

Nehemiah was born in 1715, married Dinah Hopkins, of Oyster Bay, and in 1758 moved to Quaker Hill, Dutchess county, where he owned a large farm. He died there in 1794, leaving four children: Daniel, Nehemiah, Icha- bod and Anna.

Nehemiah, Jr., born in 1740, married Phoebe Wing, in 1760, and was a merchant of the town of Washington, where he died in 1793, leaving eleven children. His youngest son, Benjamin, was born in 1777, married Thankful, daughter of Col. Matthew Scott, and was a merchant in New York and Troy. He died in 1854, leaving ten children, of whom the eldest son, George, was born in Washing- ton county in 1807, and married Julia, daugh- ter of Alanson Douglas and Ann Sutherland. He became an eminent dry-goods merchant in New York, and was noted for his beneficence. His death occurred at his country seat, "Lyndehurst, " Irvington-on-Hudson, in 1873. Of his six children the eldest, Douglas, was born at No. 42 Barclay street, New York, De- cember 4, 1847, was educated at the school of John MacMullen and the Columbia Grammar School, passed two years in Europe, and was graduated from the Columbia Law School in 1874. He purchased his farm called "Lea- cote " in 1875, and was married August 3, 1876, to Elizabeth Cleveland, daughter of Rt. Rev. Arthur Cleveland Coxe, Bishop of West- ern New York. They have two children: Ethel Douglas and Alan Douglas.

Mr. Merritt has always taken an interest in public affairs and the progress of the neigh- borhood. He is a trustee of St. Stephens College, Annandale; St. Johns Church, Barry- town; the Starr Institute, Rhinebeck, and the Public School No. 3, and was a member of the last Board of Excise. He is also senior war- den of the Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck, and has for many years been a delegate from that Church to the Diocesan Convention.

J OHN H. SMITH, JR .. was born at the Steel Works in the town of Amenia, Dutch- ess county, March 18, 1863, and is a lineal descendant of Nehemiah Smith, whose birth occurred in England about 1605, and who came to America and made application to be

admitted as a freeman at Plymouth, Mass., March 6, 1637. For two years he lived on Long Island, but in 1644 removed to Stratford, Conn., where he kept a flock of sheep on the west bank of Oyster river, and was conse- quently known as Shepherd Smith. Later he removed to New Haven, Conn .; in the spring of 1651, to Norwich, L. I .; and two years afterward to London, Conn. Owing to trou- ble with the Indians he continued to reside at New London until after 1665, when he re- moved to his farm at Smith Lake, Poquonock, where he doubtless had been making improve- ments for several years. He was one of the original proprietors of Norwich, buying the land from the Indian chief, Uncas, in 1659, and was among the earliest settlers of several new towns in Connecticut. He always took an active interest in Church affairs, and, doubt- less, officiated in the absence of the regular pastor. He died about 1686. On January 21, 1639, he married Annie Bourne, of Marsh- field, Mass., who died in 1684, and to them were born the following children : Sarah, born in 1642; Mary; Hannah, born in 1644; Mercy and Elizabeth (twins), born in 1645; Nehe- miah, born in 1646; Lydia, born in 1647; Ann and Mehitable.

Nehemiah Smith, the only son, was born at New Haven, Conn., in 1646, and was bap- tized October 24, of that year, by Rev. John Davenport, first pastor of the first Church at that place. When ten years of age he accompanied his father to the farm at Poquonock, Conn., and was seventeen when the latter moved to Nor- wich, leaving him on the farm. On October 24, 1669, he married Lydia Winchester, daughter of Alexander Winchester, of Roxbury, Mass. In that year he was a member of the General Assembly at Hartford, and also in several sub- sequent years. He and his wife became mem- bers of the first Church at New London, Conn. About 1691 or 1692 he purchased a large tract of land at Niantic, Conn., of Joseph and John Bull, of Hartford.

Nehemiah Smith, a son of Nehemiah and Lydia (Winchester) Smith, was born Novem- ber 14, 1663, and April 22, 1696, was united in marriage with Dorothy Wheeler, who was born December 6, 1679 (a daughter of Isaac Wheeler), and died May 25, 1736. Soon after their marriage they both joined the first Church at New London, and he was always known as an honest and highly respected farm- er; in 1712 and 1714 he served as townsman.

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His entire life was spent upon the old home- stead farm near Smith Lake, Poquonock, Gro- ton, Conn., where his death occurred Novem- ber 21, 1724. In his family were twelve chil- dren, namely: Dorothy, Hannah, Elizabeth, Nathan, John, William, Isaac, Mary, Lydia, Jabez, Anna and Sarah.

Isaac, the seventh child of Nehemiah and Dorothy (Wheeler) Smith, was born Decem- ber 29, 1797, at Groton, Conn., and November 4, 1729, wedded Esther, daughter of Deacon Daniel Denison. Both became members of the First Congregational Church at New Lon- don, Conn., He departed this life March 14, 1783. and his wife died on August 17, 1798. In their family were eleven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Daniel, December 1, 1730; Amos, December 13, 1732; Esther, August 9, 1734; Hannah, August 9, 1734: Simeon, June 9, 1738; Abigail, February 15, 1740; Mary, November 15, 1743; Lucy, November 11, 1746; William, October 26, 1749; and Silas and Phebe, twins, April 18, 1752.

William Smith, the ninth of the family, engaged in farming at Mt. Archer and North Lyme, New London Co., Conn., and served as deacon in the Baptist Church, of which he was a consistent member. In 1772 he mar- ried Sarah Smith, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth Smith, who died July 14, 1831, and his death occurred September 1, 1841. They also had twelve children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: William, Janu- ary 22, 1775: Sarah, February 1, 1777; Eliza- beth, December 1, 1779; Gurdon, December 4, 1781; John D., August 12, 1782; Edward, August 24, 1784: Phebe, August 20, 1786; Nathan, November 12, 1788; Charlotte, Jan- uary 1, 1791; Lucy, February 14, 1793; Al- inira, March 1, 1797; Ansyl, April 2, 1799; and Edward.

Nathan Smith, the seventh in order of birth, was born at North Lyme, Conn., and was the grandfather of our subject. In IS10 he was married to Nancy Waterman, of Salem, Conn., who died July 2, 1824, and they be- came the parents of five children: Sarah M., born August 6, 1814, married Columbus Reed; Gilbert B. was born April 10, 1816; Nathan W., born January 12, 1818, is now living at South Amenia, Dutchess Co., N. Y .; Nancy L., born August 12, 1819, died January 11, 1874; and John H., born June 1, 1821, died October 13, 1892. For his second wife Na-

than Smith married Hannah Stark, and they had two children: Fitch C., born January 19. 1826; and Henry S. , born May 20, 1828. His third wife was Nancy Baker, widow of Mathias Baker, and daughter of Deacon Eliphalet Hill- yard, and his last wife was Mary Gallup. For a time he was captain of a sloop, but most of his life was devoted to farming at Salem, Conn. At the time of his death, which occurred March 26, 1876, he was serving as deacon of the Baptist Church at North Lyme, Conn., of which he was a faithful member.

John H. Smith, the father of our subject, was born at Lyme, Conn., was there educated in the public schools, and at the age of four- teen years walked from his home to Wassaic, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he resided with a sister for a time. At Williamstown, Mass., he learned the trade of wagon making, after which he worked in the inill at Amenia, where he continued to reside for one year after his marriage. Removing to the Steel Works, he began wagon making, which business he con- tinued to follow up to the time of his death. He was entirely a self-made man, having started out in life for himself empty-handed, at the early age of fourteen years, and suc- ceeded in accumulating a good property by persistent labor and well-directed efforts. In religious belief he was a Baptist, belonging to the Church at Amenia, and in politics he was a stalwart Republican. He was called upon to serve his fellow citizens in the offices of assessor and justice of the peace.

At Amenia, June 1, 1847, was celebrated the marriage of John H. Smith, Sr., and Miss Maria, daughter of Myron Reed, and to them were born seven children: Nathan, who was born April 21, 1848, and is now a merchant of Amenia Union; Sarah M., who was born September 11, 1849, and was married June 26, 1879, to Charles, son of Philo S. Hoyt, of Danbury, Conn .; Myron, born May 12, 1851, who is serving his third term as superintendent of the poor of Dutchess county; Belinda, born April 11, 1855; Esther M., born September 22, 1856; Edwin D., of Poughkeepsie. born January 18, 1859; and John H., whose name introduces this sketch.

John H. Smith, Jr., spent his boyhood days in Amenia, attending the district schools and the Amenia Seminary, and learned the trade of wagon making with his father, who then gave him an interest in the business. Since the death of his father he has successfully con-

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 114

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