Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 167

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

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M RS. MARGARET TOFFEY CRAFT. The homestead of the Toffey family on Onaker Hill, near the famous " Mizzentop Hotel," is one of the beautiful country estates

for which Dutchess county is noted, being situated in one of the most picturesque spots in this favored locality. John Toffey, the grandfather of our subject, Mrs. Craft, was the first of the name to occupy the farm, his last years being spent there in agricultural pursuits. He was a native of Long Island and received his education there, but in early manhood settled in Putnam county, N. Y., where he was engaged in the manufacture of hats for many years. He was married there to Miss Fowler, who died a few years later, leaving no children. His second wife was Miss Abigail Aiken, and to them five chil- dren were born, of whom the youngest was Daniel, Mrs. Craft's father. Of the others, Hewlit married (first) Miss Howland, and (sec- ond) Miss Scofield; Aiken married Ann Aiken; John married Esther Aiken; and George mar- ried Catherine Vandeburgh.

Hon. Daniel Toffey was born at the home- stead and attended the common schools of the town of lawling during his boyhood. He began farming at an early age, and later became a speculator in cattle for the New York City markets. In local politics his influence was marked, first as a Whig and afterward as a Republican, and he held numerous town offices, and served one term in the State Legislature. He married Miss Betsy Hollaway, daughter of Joseph and Olive (Aiken) Hollaway, her father being one of the prominent farmers of Hurd's Corners, Dutchess county.

Mrs. Craft was the eldest of a family of six children. Born in 1810, she was reared at the old home, enjoying the educational opportuni- ties afforded by the neighboring schools. She married James Craft, a prominent merchant of Pawling, Dutchess county, and in their family are three children: Mary, born in 1834, is at home; Lydia, born in 1836, married Dr. Charles Taylor; and Anna, born in 1839, is the wife of Aiken Thomas.

Of the younger children of Daniel Toffey (2), George, born in 1811, became a well- known farmer and speculator. He and his wife, formerly Miss Mary Cook, reared a fam- ily of five children, all of whom married, as follows: Daniel-Miss Adaline Wilson: George -Miss Bessie Rodger; John-Miss Elizabeth Sip; William-Miss Emma Sip; and Mary- William B. Wheeler. (3) Ransom, born in IS -- , and (4) Elizabeth, born in 18-, both deceased, were never married. (5) Olive, born in 1826, at the old homestead, was educated in Pough-

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keepsie. She married John L. Worden, then a midshipman in the United States navy, who rose by frequent promotions from that humble position to the rank of admiral, and distin- guished himself during the Civil war by his ability and courage. He was born in 1818, at Sing Sing, and is now on the retired list with full pay, but unfortunately, through old age and over-anxiety, he has lost his mental bal- ance. He is the only surviving admiral of all the gallant group that served so nobly in the Civil war. Two sons and two daughters were born to him. The eldest, John Lorimer Wor- den, Jr., was born in Washington, D. C., and was educated at West Point, receiving a com- mission as lieutenant, and was in command of troops at Sackett's Harbor, where his death occurred. He married Miss Annie Edison, but left no children. Daniel T. Worden was born and educated in New York City, and is now engaged in business there as a broker. He married Miss Emily Neilson, of Philadel- phia, and has one daughter, Florence. Of Admiral Worden's daughters, Grace is at home, and Olivia married Lieut. Theron Bus- by, of the United States navy, a Southerner by birth, and has four children: Daniel, Gaston, Olive and Grace. (6) Daniel Toffey, Jr., Mrs. Craft's youngest brother, was born on Quaker Hill, in 1828, and after completing his studies in the local schools engaged in mercantile business in New York City. He married Miss Annie Robinson, and has no children.

J JOHN J. SPAULDING, a leading agricultur- ist of the town of Pawling, Dutchess coun- ty, residing near Quaker Hill, is a man whose quiet influence had always tended to promote the progress of that locality. Born in that town in 1837, and educated in the com- mon schools there, he has chosen to make it his permanent home, and has been engaged in his present calling since early manhood.

He married Miss Phoebe J. Light, and has had three children: Henry, born in 18SI, and Warren, born in 1889, are at home; and an only daughter, Agnes, born in 1886, died at an early age.

The Spaulding family has been identified with Dutchess county for several generations. Abram Spaulding, our subject's grandfather, was born and reared in the town of Dover, and later engaged in farming there. He and his wife, Elizabeth, reared a family of five children :

Uriah, who never married; John, our subject's father: Sallie, wife of Sanford Hoag; Lydia, wife of Warren Kerry; and Ann, who remained single.

John Spaulding first saw the light at the old homestead in the town of Dover, and after enjoying the usual educational privileges of a country boy, he made farming his occupation. He married Miss Marilla Elsworth, daughter of Platt Elsworth, and had thirteen children: George, who is not married; Jane, wife of James Evans; John J. , our subject ; Frank, who married Minerva Beers; Harrison, who married Lizzie Donehew; Abram, who died in childhood; Will- iam, who married Mary Miller; Nathaniel, who married Helen Osborne: Uriah, unmarried: Mary A., wife of Albert Redney; Sarah, deceas- ed; Warren, who is single; and Myron, who married Juliette Light.

Mrs. Spaulding's paternal grandfather, John Light, was a native of Putnam county, N. Y., and was educated there, following afterward the business of farming. He married, and had three children : Mosman; Henry, who married Jane Ferris; and Jeremiah. Mosman Light, Mrs. Spaulding's father, was born in the town of Kent, Putnam county, and received his ed- ucation in the common schools of the town. He also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Sallie Ferris, daughter of John Ferris, a well-known farmer of Putnam county, and his wife, Phoebe. Eight children were born to this marriage: William, who married Mary J. Russell; John, who married Emily . Smalley; Susan, wife of Enos Adams; Joseph, who married Phoebe Lee; Lansing, unmarried; Mrs. Phoebe Spaulding; George, deceased, who never married; and Charles, who married Laura Roscoe.

W ILLIAM B. HUTTON, a well-known business man of Red Hook, Dutchess county, is a native of that town, his ancestors having been for many years engaged there in mercantile pursuits.

The late Jacob R. Hntton, his grandfather, was born there in 1816, and early in life be- came a merchant, dealing in general merchan- dise, boots and shoes and similar commodities, liis store being located on East Market street. He continued the business until 1876, when he moved to Poughkeepsie and entered the employ of Howes & Co., manufacturers of shoes. He remained with them in a position of trust until

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his death, in 1890, after an exemplary and re- ligious life of seventy-eight years. He was married at the age of eighteen to Miss Lydia C. Hoffman, of Red Hook, and reared a fam- ily of four children: William E., our sub- ject's father; Nicholas R., who was married in 1865, to Miss Mary Hobbs; Fannie E., who married John - - , of Red Hook, in 1863; and Elizabeth H., who married Campbell B. Hicks in 1875.

William E. Hutton was born March 12, 1841, and after graduating from the Upper Red Hook Academy he entered his father's store as a clerk, and soon became a partner. On the dissolution of the partnership, in 1876. he established a general drug business at the same location, and conducted it until 1892, when he disposed of it to Claude E. Hicks, who sold it to Walter Van Steenburgh, the present proprietor. He married Miss Emeline C. Dunham, of Catskill, N. Y., in March, 1864, and has had six children: William B., born September 26, 1866; Grace M., September 27, 1869; Frank B., September 29, 1872; Emina, October 4, 1874; Mary, in January, 1876; and J. H., in January, 1876. The two younger daughters, Emma and Mary, died in infancy.

William B. Hutton, the subject proper of this sketch, attended the Upper Red Hook Academy for some time, and then entered St. Stephen's College at Annandale, graduating from the classical course in 1888. In 1890 he was graduated from the Medical College at Albany, and soon after entered his father's drug store as prescription clerk, re- maining until the disposal of the business. in 1892. Since that time he has been engaged in the stationery and news business, with a constantly growing trade. He was married March 23, 1890, to Miss Ida Yager, of Sauger- ties, their union being blessed with one child, Anna C. Hutton. A quiet gentleman, of schol- arly tastes, Mr. Hutton holds the friendship of an exclusive circle of intimates, and the esteem of the entire community.

jah (2) married Hannah Robinson. Their son, Charles, our subject's father, was a farm- er by occupation. He married Miriam Bar- rett, a daughter of Knowlton and Fanetta ( Hazleton) Barrett, and had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are Elijah K., Edwin C., Russell B., John O. and Cynthia F. The father is dead, but the moth- er is still living.

John O. Wixom attended the public schools near his home during his boyhood, and worked in the meantime upon the farm. At the age of sixteen he began his business career as a clerk in R. R. Meade's general store at Pecks- ville, Dutchess county, and after a year and a half there he entered the employ of S. G. & J. T. Smith, of Fishkill and Matteawan, and re- mained with them for eleven years. Jannary 1, 1890, he purchased the interest of P. D. Holmes in the grocery firm of Holmes & Town- send, forming the present partnership. They carried a full line of groceries, and in the lat- ter part of 1895 they added to this a well- stocked meat market, their expanding trade fully justifying them in the venture. The business interests of Mr. Wixom have occu- pied his attention too closely for him to take an active part in public affairs, but he is thor- oughly loyal to his town, and is an ardent sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He married Miss Jennie Haight, daugh- ter of Theodorus Haight, a well-known farmer, and his wife, Deborah Lockwood, and they have one daughter, Ruth A. They are lead- ing members of the M. E. Church at Mattea- wan, and take a generous interest in its work. Mr. Wixom is also a member of Beacon Lodge No. 283. F. & A. M.

J TOHN L. WHITE, the well-known florist of Pawling, Dutchess county, is one of the most enterprising business men, and, be- ginning his career as a general farmer, he has developed a profitable and pleasing specialty. He was born in 1834, in Glenham, Dutchess county, and passed his youth there, his edu- cation being acquired in the public schools. He married Miss Lucy A. Turner, daughter of Stephen Turner, a leading agriculturist of the town of Pawling, and his wife, Sarah Eastwood. Of the three children of this union, the first two, Sarah and Ezra, de- ceased, never married. George the only

J OHN O. WIXOM, of the well-known firm of Wixom & Townsend, of Matteawan, Dutchess county, is one of the substantial young business men of that town. He is a de- scendant of one of the old families of Putnam county, N. Y., and was born there in the town of Kent. November 2, 1862. His great-grand- father was Elijah Wixom, whose son Eli- i surviving son, is the proprietor of a printing

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office at Pawling. He is a member of Patter- son Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., and now holds the office of secretary. His wife, formerly Miss Alpha Mosier, is a daughter of Milton and Mary (Brown) Mosier, well-known farmers of the town of Pawling, and has one son, Clif- ton J.

The great-grandfather of our subject, Jos- eph White, was born and reared at Johnsville, N. Y., and became a farmer by occupation. He and his wife, Sarah, had several children, among whom was a son, Philip, our subject's grandfather, who was born in Dutchess coun- ty, and passed his life here, engaging in the business of clock making and in agriculture, which he followed for many years. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He mar- ried, and reared a family of six children: Amsey, who married Miss West; Joseph ; John, who married Polly Werden; Eli, our subject's father; Warren, who married Polly Turner; and Lucy A., deceased, who never married.

Eli White was a native of the town of Pawling, and the schools of that locality af- forded him his only educational advantages. He became a painter by occupation. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Canif Hagaman, daughter of David Canif, and they had three children, of whom our subject was the youngest. Emma never married, and Cornelia married Kent Henyon, and had five children-Leona, who is now married; Coleman, who married Annie Merritt; William, who married Hattie Loeucs; Chester and Grace, unmarried.

Mrs. White is descended from a patriotic family, her father having served in the war of 1812, and her grandfather, Stephen Turner, in the Revolutionary war. The latter followed agriculture as an occupation. He and his wife, Amie, reared a family of six children: John; Caleb, who never married; Stephen, Mrs. White's father; Sarah, wife of Elijah Eastwood; Rhoda, wife of James Eastwood; and Maria, wife of Robert Brockway.

erine Morse; Lyman-Miss Pattie Daiken; Lydia-John Werdon ; Henry-Miss Cath- erine Lent; Ferman-Miss Charlotte Turner; Robert-Miss Charlotte Fairchild; Peter- Miss Eliza Bullard; Lucy A .- John White; Emma J. - Gilbert Bullard; and Bennett-Miss Ann Eliza Washburn.

G EORGE FRANKLIN LEE, the genial and enterprising proprietor of the "Lee House," at Pawling, Dutchess county, has mnade that well-known hotel one of the best houses of its class in that locality. Energetic in action and sound in business judgment, his success is a natural result of his practical and effective management.

His family is of English origin, and several generations have made their home in Litchfield county, Conn., where George Lee, our sub- ject's grandfather, was born. He passed his life there as a farmer. To him and his wife were born six children: Ward, the eldest; Jane, who married George Ferris and moved to Wisconsin; Sarah, wife of Charles Travis, of Yates county, N. Y. ; Louisa, wife of George Travis, of Penn Yan, N. Y .; Emma, wife of George Wickam, of Havana, Schuyler Co., N. Y. ; and Egbert, our subject's father, who was born at the old home, in Litchfield county, Conn. Egbert learned the blacksmith's trade, and, coming to Dutchess county in early manhood, followed that business in the town of Dover, and later in Clang Hollow, town of Unionvale, where he located about 1852. In 1865 he re- turned to Dover and worked for three years, and in 1874 gave up his trade to go into the hotel business at the old " Fowler House," in Hyde Park, in partnership with our subject. He remained there two years, and then moved to Poughkeepsie and bought a saloon and liv- ery stable, which he sold two years later, when he moved to Pawling to spend his re- maining years, his death occurring there about 1881. He was a Democrat, and took a great interest in local politics, serving as supervisor and collector in the town of Dover, and as col- lector in the town of Unionvale. A man of generous disposition and much public spirit, he had many friends, while in business circles he was regarded as a shrewd and successful manager of his varied enterprises, and he cer- tainly was one of the best blacksmiths in the county. During the war he worked in the

Stephen Turner was born in 1793, in the town of Pawling, Dutchess county, and grew to manhood there. His gallant service in the war of IS12 entitled him to a pension, and he also drew 160 acres of land which he cultivated in his later years. He married Miss Sarah Eastwood, daughter of George and Rachel Eastwood. Her father was a well-known school teacher. Mrs. White was one of eleven children, who all married as follows: Alexan- der-Miss Margaret Brent; Caleb -- Miss Cath- South on a Mississippi river boat, for a man

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named Bostwick. He married Abbie Jane Cary, and seven children were born to the union: Egbert M., a blacksmith, formerly of the town of Amenia, later of Waterbury, Conn. : George F., our subject; Janie, who married (first) William Wright, (second) Charles Villin- ger, and third, George Geddings, who is in the United States mail service; Sarah Ann, de- ceased, formerly the wife of Myron Wickam; Maryette, deceased, who married William R.

George F. Lee was born in the town of Dover, December 19. 1848, and his education was mainly acquired in the district schools of Unionvale, which he attended until he was about eighteen years old. He had learned the blacksmith's trade in the meantime, and after leaving school conducted a shop on Chestnut Ridge for two years, when he sold out and went to Dover Plains to work at the trade with Matthew Borden. A year later he entered the employ of Milton Bain, then the proprietor of the " Dover House, "and, after one year with him, he spent about a year and a half as clerk for Jud Landing, just across the street. The next three years he spent at Falls Village, Conn., as clerk for Ezra Dudley, and Mr. Lee then purchased a saloon and put in billiard tables, the first that had ever been brought to the town. He remained there some time, boarding with Mr. Dudley, and then soll the business and went to Hyde Park, where he rented the old " Fowler House " of J. T. Stoughtenburgh, and conducted it for three years, his father be- ing a partner for a time, as has been stated. On selling out this business to J. W. Hinkley, of the News, Mr. Lee went to Poughkeepsie, and for one year ran a restaurant. under the old " Poughkeepsie House," and a livery stable. in the rear, but in 1878 he sold these enterprises and moved to Pawling. There he rented a bar room of George Norton, which he conducted for three years, and then he bought the " Travelers' House" and spent eight years in managing it, with Henry Wheeler as partner for one year, and H. C. Brooks for another. During this time Mr. Lee had es- tablished the first bottling works ever opened in Pawling, and when the building was burned in 1889 he determined to erect a hotel upon the same site, and accordingly the " Lee House" was completed in the following year. With the exception of one year when the hotel was

rented to Mr. Gardner, he has managed it himself, meeting with marked success.

Politically, Mr. Lee has always been a Democrat, and gives active support to the party in his locality. He has been a member of the county committee for five years, and has held the office of school trustee for three years. In 1890 he was elected supervisor for one term, and in 1893 was chosen, for a term, highway commissioner. In local affairs Lee: Martha; and Perry, a painter, of Amenia. ¡ of a non-political sort he is active also, and he The Carey family have been residents of Litch- field county, Conn., for many years.

belongs to Patterson Lodge No. 173. I.O.O.F., of Pawling. He has a pleasant home in Pawling, his family not residing in the hotel. His wife, to whom he was married in 1873, was formerly Miss Mary A. Beden, whose father, Henry Beden, was a well-known citi- zen of Falls Village, Conn. Two sons were born of this union -- Henry A. and Philo B.

P HILIP H. STICKLE. The subject of this sketch has been for some years prom- inent among the farmers of Dutchess county, having a fine estate pleasantly located in the town of Red Hook, it being one of the best- appointed homesteads in the locality, and on account of his strict integrity and high charac- ter, he is numbered among its most valued citizens.

John F. Stickle, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Red Hook town, where he was engaged in farming during his manhood, and he there married Hannah Fraleigh. Their son, Peter Stickle, was the father of our subject. He was also born in Red Hook town, where on reaching a sufficient age he attended the dis- trict schools, and as a means of livelihood he followed farming. By his marriage with Miss Sarah Feller, he had two sons: John W., who married a Mrs. Shook; and Philip H., of this review.

Our subject was born upon the old Stickle homestead in the town of Red Hook, which has now been in the possession of the family for over a century and a half. His school days being over, he took up the occupation which his ancestors had followed, and now owns the old farm, which comprises 250 acres of valu- able land. Although a general farmer, he makes a specialty of fruit culture, having upon his place fine varieties of peaches, grapes, ap- ples, currants, etc.

As a companion and helpmeet on life's jour- ney, Mr. Stickle chose Miss Nellie R. Ring.

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and by their marriage they have two children: Alva R., born July 5, 1868; and Frank W., born March, 1873. Moses Ring, Mrs. Stickle's father, was a son of George and Elizabeth Ring. the latter of New York City, and in his family were six children, namely: Elizabeth, who became the wife of George Fellows; Nel- lie R., the wife of our subject: Eugene, who first wedded Sarah Hunt, and, after her death, Emma Hunt: Alonzo, who married Balinda Cramer; John. who married Lizzie Reins- burgh, and, after her death, Mary Dolle; and George Lewis.

Mr. Stickle takes quite an active interest in politics, believing in the principles of the Dem- ocratic party, and to these gives his honest support. He has been quite prominent in local affairs, officiating as supervisor of Red Hook town, and as excise commissioner. Socially, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously holds member- ship with the Lutheran Church. His industry and enterprise have secured for him an envia- I of New Paltz, a descendant of one of the early

ble position among the progressive and well- to-do farmers of the town of Red Hook.

J JOHN W. BUTTS, one of the most promi- nent and successful business men of the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, was born May 19, 1835, upon the farm where he now resides, which has been for several gener- ations the home of the Butts family.

William Butts, our subject's father, was born in Stanford, November 15, 1808, a son of Moses Butts, and died there May 28, 1882, having been engaged all his life in farming. He attended the Christian Church, and was an exemplary citizen, holding the high regard of all who knew him. He belonged to the Ma- sonic order, and was buried with their impres- sive ritual. In politics he was 'a Democrat. On June 3, 1831, he was married to his first wife. Miss Eliza J. Truesdale, and their chil- dren were: William, born March 4, 1832, now a resident of Valley Falls, Kans .; John W., our subject; Walter D., born July 19, 1839, mar- ried Catherine Humphrey, and died on Octo- ber 22, 1870, followed August 16, next year. by his wife; and Eliza Jane, born July 19. 1839. died September 28, 1839. On January 23. 1840, Mr. Butts married for his second wife Miss Deborah Case, a daughter of Nathan Case. She was born December 21. 1802, and died February 6, 1892.

John W. Butts, our subject, attended a district school near Cold Spring during boy- hood, and laid the foundation for a good prac- tical education which his native ability and habits of observation have enabled him to ac- quire. He has always lived upon the old homestead, having assisted his father until the latter's death. March 21, 1861, he was mar- ried to Miss Tamma Humphrey, a descendant of one of the old families of the town of Stan- ford, her great-grandfather Humphrey having settled there in the eighteenth century. Her grandfather, James Humphrey, a farmer there, married Abigail Canfield, and had eight chil- dren: Nathan, John, Henry, William, Asahel, Ira, Dama and Tamma, of whom, Ira is now the only survivor. William Humphrey, Mrs. Butt's father, was born in 1804, and died in 1882. He was a shoemaker by trade, but in later years followed farming in Stanford until his retirement from active business, when he moved to Bangall. He married Eliza Johnson, Huguenot settlers of Ulster county, and had three children: Charles H., a merchant of Bangall; Abbie J., Mrs. Walter Adsit; and Tamma, Mrs. Butts. Three children were born to our subject and his wife: (1) Ella Jane, July 17, 1862, was married June 1, 1887. to Elmer G. Story, of Bay Side, L. 1. (now in the Custom House in New York City). and has two children-Ethel B. and Ernest D. (2) Mary, February 24, 1864, was married December 16, 1891, to Lincoln Hnsted, of Stanford, and has one child, Lee J. (3) Will- iam H., July 21, 1868, now a farmer near the homestead, was married December 7, 1892, to Adelaide Deyo, and has one son, John W., Jr.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 167

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