Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 122

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

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The elementary education of Charles W. Wright was such as the common schools of Bangall afforded, and he later became a stu- dent in Sackett's private school, in the town of Stanford. When his school days were over he entered upon a business career as clerk in the general store of Mr. Knickerbocker, of Bangall, with whom he remained four years, after which he went to New York City, where he was employed for about two years in the butter and egg business. He then began business for himself, which he continued for four years. In the spring of 1892 he estab-

Sarah J., born July 1, 1836, died March 15, . lished his present store at Clinton Corners, 1858: John, born February 1, 1838; James where he carries a full and complete assort- ment of general merchandise, and now secures a liberal patronage. His stock is well select- ed, and he devotes his entire time to his busi- ness interests, and is meeting with a well- deserved success. May 1, 1840; Wesley, June 20, 1842, died March 26, 1891; Eliza Ann, June 23, 1844, died February 15, 1877; Christina, March 27, 1 846; Mary Ellen, April 21, 1849; and Henry D., March 18. 1851, died December 6, 1875.

On September 5, 1889, in the town of Stanford, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Della Stewart, daughter of William Stewart, of that town, and to them have been born three children: Harold and Edith, twins, born August 22, 1890; and Ethel, born Au- gust 19, 1894. In his political views, Mr.

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Wright is a stalwart Democrat, and is now serving as postmaster in Clinton Corners, to which position he was appointed in the winter of 1892.

E DWARD ODELL, a well-known miller of Smithfield, Dutchess county, where he has engaged in business for over thirty years, was born March 21, 1819, in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, and belongs to a family that was long connected with the in- terests of that township. There his grand- father, John Odell, was also born, and worked at his trade of a hatter. In his family were six children, namely: William, John, Jacob, Samuel, Caroline and Betsey.

Samuel Odell, father of our subject, was also a native of the town of Washington, and a hatter by trade. His political support was given the Republican party. He inarried Per- melia Marshall, of Salt Point, Dutchess county, and they became the parents of six children: Edward; Lewis, who was killed while gallantly serving in the Mexican war; William, of New Haven, Conn .; Bartlett, of Illinois; Sally Ann (deceased); and Elizabeth, who married John Dodge.

The school days of our subject were passed in the towns of Washington and Dover, and at an early age he learned the carpenter's trade with Samuel Tompkins in the latter township, which occupation he then followed for a time. For forty years he made his home at Perry's Corners, town of Northeast, but since 1870 has resided in Smithfield, at which time he purchased the grist and saw mill that he has since operated with good success. Although now seventy-six years of age, he has never worn glasses, and his eyesight seems better than it was at sixty. Ever fond of sport, he is still one of the best marksmen with the rifle in Dutchess county. His career has not been marked by startling incidents, but his life has been quietly and peacefully passed amidst the scenes of his youth, and he has gained the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. Politically he is an adherent of the Republican party. At Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, Mr. Odell was married to Miss Mary Marquart, and they have two sons: John, of Smithfield, who married Ella Cook- ingham; and Frank, of Verbank, who married Lettie May Smith, and has one child, Ethel M. Odell.

AMES V. MEAD, a well-known brick manu-

facturer of Low Point, Dutchess county,

is one of the prominent self-made men of the locality, having begun his business career without a cent, and gained by his own efforts a fine fortune and limitless credit.

He is a native of the town of Cornwall, Orange Co., N. Y., where he first saw the light, May 12, 1832, and on both the paternal and maternal sides is of Dutch descent. Joseph Mead, his grandfather, was born in Holland, and Justice Mead, our subject's father, mar- ried Elizabeth Van Duser, whose father, Ben- jamin Van Duser, was of Holland stock. Justice Mead settled in Cornwall after his mar- riage, and followed the carpenter's trade, until his death at the age of forty, and he and his wife, who also died many years ago, were lead- ing members of the Methodist Church there. In politics, he was a Democrat. Our subject was the youngest of six children: Benjamin is a gardener in Cayuga county, N. Y .; Eliza- beth married Sylvenius Cury, of Orange coun- ty; Sarah married Frederick Burton, who was a machinist at Newburg, N. Y .; Justice is a farmer and brick manufacturer in Amenia; and Hiram died in childhood.

Mr. Mead made his entrance into business life at the early age of thirteen years, when he left his home in Cornwall to learn the de- tails of the brick business at Haverstraw, N. Y. He proved himself so capable that, at twenty, he was placed in charge of a gang of men for the firm of Peck & Morris, and after two years in that position he became superin- tendent for Michael Archer, with whom he remained three years. He then went to Ver- planck's Point, N. Y., as foreman for Mr. Reed, and later worked for a short time for Francis Timony. Returning to Cornwall, he engaged in boating for a year, and then be- came foreman for Mr. Chambers, at New Windsor, Orange county. About 1865, Mr. Mead leased a brick yard at Dutchess Junc- tion, and in four years there he made $24,000. He sold his lease and purchased a farm near Fishkill, which he improved, building a fine residence and other structures. But farm life was too quiet for one of his active tempera- ment, and he resumed the business of brick- making, leasing from Thomas Aldrich the yards at Low Point, which he bought ten years la- ter. The property includes eighty-two acres, and the plant covers one acre. Mr. Mead turns out about 5,000,000 second-class brick

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per year, disposing of them mainly in New York City. His fortune is now estimated at $50,000, and his integrity and able manage- ment have won for him a high standing in business circles.

On August 4, 1858, Mr. Mead was united in marriage with his first wife, Miss Mary A. Flood, a native of Orange county, who died March 14, 1884, leaving six children: Hen- rietta married Mose Collier; Alvaretta is the wife of Jerome Walsh, a brick manufacturer; Harry C. is engaged in the same business at Low Point; James A. (the name given her at baptism), the third daughter, married Frank Collier; and Thomas A. and Sebastian are both engaged in brick manufacturing. In Decem- ber, 1887, Mr. Mead formed a second matri- monial union, his present wife being Mary Knapp, a native of Putnam county. Three children were born of this marriage: Ralph, Mabel and James V. Mr. Mead has made a point of giving his children a strict business training. The family are members of the Methodist Church, and Mr. Mead takes a prominent part in all movements of public im- portance, giving his influence in political affairs to the Republican party.

R ICHARD P. KETCHAM, prominent among the business men of Dutchess county for a quarter of a century, has been closely identified with the history of Dover Plains, while his name is inseparably connected with its financial records. The banking inter- ests are well represented in him, for since 1884 he has been cashier of the Dover Plains Na- tional Bank. A man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, his excellent manage- ment has brought to the concern with which he is connected a high degree of success. He is a native of Dutchess county, born at Pough - keepsie in 1848.

Amos Platt Ketcham, his paternal grand- Iather, was born at Huntington, Long Island, where his early education and training were re- ceived, and in his younger years he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. On September 9, 1811, he married Miss Anna R. Platt, who was born in Huntington, November 26, 1793, and they became the parents of five children: Esther, Alonzo, Zophar P., Andrew J. and Rebecca.

Andrew J. Ketcham, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Poughkeepsie in 1819. After

his graduation he began his banking career by entering the Farmers and Manufacturers Bank of Poughkeepsie, and after serving there for some years as teller and bookkeeper he was called to Saugerties, Ulster Co., N. Y., where he organized the first bank in that place, called the Ulster Bank. After placing that institu- tion on a sound financial basis, he started the Saugerties Bank in the same village, which is now a flourishing institution. In 1865 he left Saugerties and came to Dover Plains, N. Y., as cashier of the Dover Plains National Bank, where he served for twenty years. From this position he resigned in 1885, and moved to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., his native city. After his retirement from active work for one year he was called to the presidency of the Pough- keepsie Bank, in which capacity he served for two years, leaving the institution one of the soundest in the State. He is now living in re- tirement in the city of his birth and business successes. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Sarah Anderson, daugh- ter of Capt. N. L. Anderson, of Rondout, Ul- ster Co., N. Y., and to them were born six children: Andrew, Richard P., Annie, Gold- ing, John and Gaston. The mother of these children died in 1874, and sometime afterward Mr. Ketcham married Miss Frances Cowles, of Stamford, Delaware Co., N. Y., and to them has been born a son, Charles, who, after his graduation from the River View Military Academy, entered the First National Bank of Poughkeepsie, where he is now one of its best bookkeepers.

Richard P. Ketcham, the subject proper of this review, was educated in the Claverack Military Academy, and after graduating from that institution became bookkeeper in the Im- porters and Traders Bank of New York City. In their employ he continued for some time, re- signing in order to accept his present position with the Dover Plains National Bank. Dur- ing his residence here he has attested his emi- nent and pronounced ability as a financier, and he is probably equally prominent in social life. In 1873 Mr. Ketcham married Mrs. Mary E. (Dutcher) Peters, widow of George H. Peters, of Pleasant Valley, N. Y., daughter of Egbert and Maria Dutcher, of Dover Plains. One child graces this union, Grace Dutcher, who was born at Dover Plains, and was educated at Linden Hall, Poughkeepsie.

The Dutcher family is of Holland origin, but for many generations its representatives

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have resided in Dutchess county, where Christopher Dutcher, the great-great-grand- father of Mrs. Ketcham was born September 29, 1747. He acquired his education in the common schools of the county, and later de- voted his time to agricultural pursuits, his farm comprising what is now the village of Dover Plains. He married Mary Belding, who was born in 1751, and they had seven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Christopher, 1768; Mary, 1769; Jane, 1770; Lawrence, 1773; Silas, 1776; Elizabeth, 1779; and Cornelius, 1789.

Lawrence Dutcher, the fourth child of that family, was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Ketcham. He was born on the old homestead at Dover Plains, and was educated in the schools of the township. He succeeded to the farm of his father, which he conducted until his death. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Nase, in the same place, and they had two children: Belding, born August 9, 1793; and Rachel, born in 1791. After the death of his wife he wedded Miss Mary Waldo, and they became the parents of eleven chil- dren, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Rensselaer, 1795; Silas, 1797; T. Waldo, 1798; Cornelius N., 1802; Jerome, 1804; Elizabeth, 1806; Hannah, 1809; Jane, ISII ; Armelia, 1813; Maria, 1815; and Charles, 1817.

Belding Dutcher, the grandfather of Mrs. Ketcham, obtained a good education in the common schools, and remained upon the fam- ily homestead during his entire life. He took quite a prominent part in military affairs, and became major in the State militia. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Maria Hurd, and to them were born five children: Egbert, Allen H., Elizabeth J., William H. and Thomas N.

Egbert Dutcher, the oldest of this family, was born at Dover Plains, Dutchess county, in 1814, and was educated in the public schools of the neighborhood. After reaching manhood he became quite prominent in the Masonic Order. He was united in marriage with Miss Maria Soule, daughter of Henry and Abigail Soule, farming people of the town of Dover. Mr. Dutcher continued to live upon a part of the old homestead, where were born his two children: Mary E., the wife of our subject; and Walter E., who was educated in the Cazenovia Seminary, at Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y. He became connected with the

banking firm of Opdyke & Co., of New York, where he held the position of bookkeeper for three years, or until his death in 1874.

N ICHOLAS ALLEN, a prominent and in- fluential citizen of the village of Hibernia, town of Clinton, Dutchess county, was born in the town of Washington, that county, June 14. 1840. His father, William N. Allen, was a native of the town of Pleasant Valley, Dutch- ess county, born April 6, 1806, and died in 1885, and was the second in order of birth in the family of four children born to Nicholas and Mary (Carpenter) Allen. Grandfather Allen was also born in Pleasant Valley town, about 1750, and died in 1860; his wife died some three years before him. Many years of his life were passed in the operation of his farm, in his native town, and he also lived in the town of Washington on a farm which he owned there. He was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. and a consistent Chris- tian, a member of the Presbyterian Church.

In the town of Pleasant Valley, William N. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Helen Ketcham, a danghter of Israel Ketcham, who was born September 5, 1802, and they became the parents of five children: Ann Maria; Sarah, wife of Charles Smith; Nicholas; James Henry and John W. After his mar- riage the father removed to a farm in the town of Washington, near Hibernia, which he con- tinued to cultivate and improve during the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1885; his wife had passed away in 1866.

Nicholas Allen, whose name introduces this sketch, acquired a substantial and practical education in the schools of the town of Wash- ington, one of his teachers being Judge Guern- sey, and was well fitted for his subsequent ca- reer. After completing his school life, he assisted his father in the management of the farm, and while still living upon the old home- stead his marriage with Mrs. Sarah ( Ketcham) Justus took place, the ceremony being per- formed February 24, 1881, in the town of Clinton. She was born September 12, 1839, and is a daughter of Eli Ketcham, a miller by occupation, who first saw the light in the town of Pleasant Valley, March 14, 1809. He was married July 12, 1835, and two children were born to them. He died March 2, 1890, his wife on January 20, 1894. They were mem-

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bers of the Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Valley. Mrs. Allen's grandfather, Israel Ketcham, born about 1770, came from Long Island to Pleasant Valley, where his children were born. He married a Miss De Long, and died about 1844, his wife a few years later. By her first husband, Howard Justus, Mrs. Nicholas Allen had a daughter, Carrie, now the wife of Francis H. Harris, of New York.

For one year after his marriage Mr. Allen continued upon the old homestead, and then removed to Clinton Corners, where a year later he bought his present comfortable resi- dence. For the past thirteen years he has en- gaged in farming in the town of Clinton, where he has served as pathmaster several terms, and is prominently connected with the upbuilding and development of the locality. The im- provements upon his property are of a substan- tial character, and everything manifests the thrift and prosperity of an intelligent farmer. He and his wife are devoted and efficient mem- bers of the Reformed Church of Bloomvale, and his straight-forward, upright life has gained him many friends.

C LINTON W. CLAPP, a substantial citizen of Wappingers Falls, Dutchess county, was born in that thriving village May 28, 1831.

Tracing back the genealogy of the Clapp family, which name was at that time spelled Clapa, we find that Thomas, our subject's great-great-great-grandfather, was born in Wey- mouth, England, in 1597. He was a Puritan, and came to America July 24, 1633, settling at Dorchester, Mass. His eldest son, Thomas, was born March 15, 1639, at Weymonth. He settled at Dedham, Mass., and was the ances- tor of all the Clapps of that locality. He mar- ried Abagail Clapp, and had three children: Increase, Samuel and Eleazer.

Samuel, the great-grandfather of Clinton WV., married Elizabeth Fisher, and reared a family of six children: Samuel, David, Jona- than, Elizabeth, Abiel and Eleazer. The lat- ter, who was the grandfather of our subject, married a widow, Mrs. Gushee, whose maiden name was Sylvia Forbes. They settled at Ux- bridge, Mass., where their three children were born. These were Abiel, born in 1785, and who became a merchant, living first in Rhode Island and later in Maine; Forbes, born 1787,

and was a soap and candle manufacturer in New York City; Benjamin, father of our sub- ject. Eleazer Clapp, with a number of his rela- tives, took an active part in the Revolutionary war, and he was a member of the First Pro- vincial Congress, in 1774.

Benjamin Clapp was reared to manhood in Massachusetts, and was the first person that put up and operated cotton machinery in Low- ell, Mass .; but at the close of the war of 1812 he went to New York City and learned the trade of a cabinet maker. Later he went into the manufacture of looking-glasses, and even after his removal to Wappingers Falls, in 1827, continued to carry on his business in New York. At Wappingers Falls he built a sawmill, in which he made mahogany veneerings, operat- ing this mill until 1844, although in the mean- time he had sold out his business in the city. In the latter year he started the Frankendale cotton factory, which was in operation for many years. He owned the principal water power and privileges at Wappingers Falls, which in 1865 he sold, together with the fac- tory, to the Garner Company, who are now conducting the extensive print works there, and are reputed to be worth eighty million dollars. After disposing of his property Mr. Clapp re- tired from active business. He was married November 1, 1821, to Ruth Houghton, who was born at Milton, Mass., December 12, 1794. Her father, Jason H. Houghton, was also a native of Milton, and followed farming on a place which belonged in the family for over 200 years. He had fourteen children, of which our subject's mother was the third in order of birth. The family came from England about 1632.

To Benjamin Clapp and his wife four chil- dren were born, of whom the following record is given: George H., born September 9, 1822, married Anna Beckwith, of Dutchess county, a daughter of Col. Nathaniel Beckwith, of Rhinebeck; George H. died October 11, 1877, leaving two children, Edward and Emma. Jason F., born September 16, 1825, married Elizabeth Houghton, and died March 19, 1886. Three children were born to them, Ruth E., Arthur and Jason H. Warren B., born Sep- tember 13, 1827, married Elizabeth Ayre, and two children were born to them, George H. and Warren A. He was a Baptist minister, and died September 27, 1865.

Clinton W. Clapp, the subject of this sketch, and the youngest of the family, lived

Clinton Melafp

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

at home until fourteen years of age, when he went to New York City, entering the Univers- ity, and later the New York City Mechanical Institute, finishing his studies there when twenty-one years old. He then returned to Wappingers Falls, and worked at the carpen- ter's trade for seven years. Subsequently he turned his attention to fruit growing, but is now retired. Mr. Clapp has a great talent for mechanics, and is quite a genius in that line, He has built steamboats and various other things requiring a knowledge of mechanics, and in his delightful home was constructed a large pipe organ, which is run by a gas engine.

On May 23, 1854, Mr. Clapp was married to Miss Catherine Samons, who was born in Orange county, of Dutch extraction. She bore him six children, and died January 13, 1871. These children were Benjamin F., born Au- gust 27, 1855; George M., born June 13, 1858; Warren H., born December 27, 1859, and died March 15, ISSO; Charles L., born October 28, 1 862; Walter C., April 30, 1865 : Jason E., June 3. 1869. Mr. Clapp was again married October 25, 1871, taking for his wife Miss Nettie Ecroyd, a native of England and a daughter of Henry and Margaret Ecroyd. No children were born of this marriage. Mrs. Clapp de- parted this life April 17, 1889. On July I, 1 890, Mr. Clapp was married to Miss Charlotte M. Crosier, who was born in Wappingers Falls, March 21, 1862. Her parents were Isaac and Mary (Cole) Crosier, the former of English and the latter of Dutch descent. Two chil- dren have come to our subject and his present wife: Irving, born May 14, 1891; and Rhoda M., born May 13, 1894, died December 30, 1896.

Mr. Clapp was originally a Whig, becom- ing a Republican on the formation of that party. He has taken an active part in local politics, and has held a number of offices. He was twice elected assessor of the town of Wap- pinger; was for two years trustee of the village; for two terms was supervisor of the township, was justice of the peace for some time, and has recently been appointed again to the latter position. He has been president of the cemetery association, and is a director of the Grinnell Library Association. He is one of the leading citizens of Wappingers Falls, and is a public-spirited man who always has the best interests of his community at heart. He is popular with all classes, and no family is more highly esteemed.

P EDRO SWEET, a leading merchant of Bull's Head, Dutchess county, and one of the well-known citizens of the town of Clinton, was born December 25, 1840, in Columbia county, where his ancestors on both sides had been residents for several generations.

Maj. Rowland Sweet, his great-grandfather, a farmer by occupation, was one of the early settlers there, and his grandfather, Luke Sweet, also a farmer, passed his life there. Jerome Sweet, our subject's father, grew to manhood under the care of his grandfather, and received an excellent education in the schools of Co- lumbia county. He married Catherine Bath- rick, whose grandfather, Jacob Bathrick, was a pioneer settler of that locality, and lived there until the good old age of 100 years. He married Hannah Kilmer, and their son, Peter, born in the town of Galatin, Columbia coun- ty, married Maria Marks, and moved to Dutch- ess county, settling upon a farm in the town of Milan. They had five children: Catherine, David (deceased), William (deceased), Eliza- beth, now living in New York City, and Fran- ces, who resides at Catskill. A few years after their marriage Jerome Sweet and his wife came to the town of Milan, where he bought a farm, which he cultivated until his death in 1884. He was unusually well-informed, a Democrat in politics, and he was a self-made man in the fullest sense of the term. Mrs. Sweet still survives him, and is living at La- fayetteville. They reared a family of eight children: Pedro, Clement, Franklin, Egbert, Emily, William, Hattie and Mary, all still liv- ing but the youngest.

The subject of our sketch was only a boy when his parents came to Dutchess county, and his education was obtained in the district schools of the town of Milan. His first em- ployment was on a farm at $3.00 a month. After working Morgan L. Traver's farm, in the town of Clinton, for three years, he engaged in the butcher business at Clinton Hollow, and two years later he opened a general store there, which he conducted two years. He then went to Lafayette, and after clerking for Hiram Bentley for a year he bought him out, and continued the business three years. The year following he spent in Cokertown, in the same business, and then, on March 21, 1883, he opened his present store at Bull's Head, where he carries a full line of general merchan- dise and runs a wagon to supply his extensive country trade. He has been twice married,

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first to Miss Alice G. Green, daughter of Am- brose Green, of the town of Milan. Three children were born of this union: Annie (de- ceased). Melvin J. and Addie. Mr. Sweet's first wife died in 1879, and he has since mar- ried Miss Ella D. Denny, of the town of Milan, by whom he has a son named Grant Sweet.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 122

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