Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 74

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

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Mr. Crapser is one of the oldest members of Lodge No. 266, F. & A. M., of Poughkeep- sie, which he joined February 21, 1859, and also belongs to and is one of the charter mem- bers of the Masonic Mutual Benefit Associa- tion, and a member of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. His courteous, genial manner has gained him a large circle of warm personal friends, and he justly deserves the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact either in a business or social way.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

J OHN P. AMBLER, wholesale and retail dealer in books, stationery and fancy goods, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born June 25, 1841, in the town of Stanford, Dutch- ess county, and is the son of Rev. Silas and Eunice D. (Olmstead) Ambler.

The Ambler family, of which our subject is a worthy representative, was founded in Amer- ica during its early history. The first to locate in New England was Richard Ambler, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1609, and was one of twenty-four men who organ- ized the town of Watertown, Conn., taking deed from the Indians, and he became a lead- ing resident of that town. He was twice mar- ried and became the father of three children: Sarah, Abram and Abraham. His death oc- curred in 1699. Of his family, Abraham, who was a Baptist minister in Bradford, Conn., was born in 1642, and he was also twice married, his union with Mary Bates being celebrated in 1662; they made their home in Stamford, Conn. Their son John was born in 1668, and in his family were three children: John, Stephen and Martha. The birth of John Am- bler, of this family, occurred at Stamford, Conn., in 1695, and he became a resident of Danbury, in the same State, where he died. By his will he bequeathed his gun and sword to his only son, John. He was the father of seven children-John, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Martha, Anna and Rachel. The only son was born in 1733, and died October 21, 1814. By his marriage with Huldah Fairchild he had eight children: Peter, Squire, Stephen, Gilead, Diodote, Silas, Huldah and Deborah. The father of these was a sergeant of a company of 100 men raised in Danbury May 17, 1775, which joined the 6th Regiment, commanded by Col. David Waterbury.

Peter Ambler, of the above family, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born at Danbury, Conn., September 20, 1759, and there continued to engage in farming through- out life, owning the land on which the Dan- bury Fair is now held. During the Revolu- tionary war, he served as artificer in the Colo- nial army, and later took a prominent part in public affairs, being a member of the State Legislature for one term. He held member- ship with the Baptist Church, in which he served as deacon, and died in that faith March 7. 1836. On October 21, 1784, he had mar- ried Miss Hannah Shove, who was born Octo- ber 27, 1761, and was the daughter of Deacon

Benjamin and Sarah Shove, and their family included the following children: Fairchild, Benjamin, David, Thomas, Joseph, Silas, Sarah, Rachel and Hannah. The mother of these died April 22, 1843.

Rev. Silas Ambler, Baptist minister, father of our subject, was born at Danbury, Conn., March 12, 1798. He was married August 29, 1822, to Miss Eunice D. Olmstead, who was born October 28, 1800, at Wilton, Conn., and died October 3, 1892, at Stanford, N. Y. They had a family of seven children: Samuel H., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere; Mary E., who makes her home in Greene county, N. Y., is the widow of Ezekial Griffin; Augustus, born April 19, 1829, died April 22, 1852; Catherine, born May 23, 1831, is the widow of Levi Boyce, of Greenville, N. Y .; Sarah, born January 31, 1835, is the wife of Henry Knick- erbocker, of Bangall, N. Y .; Emeline, who was born April 6, 1837, and died April 3, 1869, was the wife of Charles Sheldon, now deceased; and John P., born June 25, 1841, is the pro- prietor of a book store at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The father was for a time a minister in the Baptist Church, having charge of congregations at Cornwall and Norfolk, Conn., but in 1840 on account of ill health he gave up preaching, and located upon a farm in the town of Stan- ford, Dutchess Co., N. Y., near Stissing, which is now owned by our subject. He there spent his remaining days, dying November 22, 1857, honored and respected by all.

John P. Ambler spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in the town of Stanford, and when fifteen years of age entered Greenville Academy, where he spent two years. He then taught school in Stanford for one year, and the following year drove a market wagon. During the winter of 1860-61 he attended Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, and in 1861 entered the bookstore of J. H. Hickok, in Poughkeepsie, as clerk, remaining there some six years. He was next employed in a similar business with H. A. Reed, and on July 12, 1869, he purchased a small news business on Market street. From this modest begin- ning he has built up an extensive and prosper- ous trade, and now owns a large building facing on both Market and Main streets. Here he has a fine assortment of fancy goods, a com- plete line of stationery ; his establishment is the headquarters for all the latest publications. His industry, enterprise and undoubted integ- rity, as well as his courteous manners, have

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made him popular with all classes of people and have brought him well-deserved success, and a host of warm friends.

On November 16, 1870, Mr. Ambler was married to Miss Mary A. Tracy, a native of Shelburne, Vt., and daughter of Hon. Guy Tracy, a farmer of that place. They have one child, Donna Louise. Mr. Ambler is a Demo- crat and in 1884 was a candidate on that ticket for county treasurer, being defeated by only fifteen votes. He has been a member of the board of health for two terms. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum, and of the Reform Club, of New York City, while in religious faith he and his wife are members of the First Reformed Church.

J OHN U. ABEL (deceased) was numbered among the prosperous and skillful farmers of the town of Unionvale, Dutchess coun- ty. Here his grandfather, Daniel Abel, reared his family of seven children: Jacob, John, Lawrence, William, Peter, Mary (who became the wife of Daniel Uhl) and Gideon. Jacob Abel, the father of our subject, spent his en- tire life in Unionvale, devoted to agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Margaret Uhl, and in their family were three children: (1) Will- iam W., who married Helen Cornell, and had two children-Mary Elizabeth, deceased; and Evaline, who married Henry Brill, by whom she has two children-Theodore R. and Helen. (2) Our subject is the next in order of birth. (3) Mary wedded Luman B. Odell, who was killed by accident, and they had three children -Daniel, Wright and Flora.

In the town of Unionvale, Dutchess coun- ty, John U. Abel was born October 11, 1821, and he acquired such an education as the common schools of the locality afforded, and for one year attended school at Quaker Hill. For some time he followed the profession of teaching; but his time was mainly devoted to his farming interests, which were quite exten- sive, and at his death, which occurred Novem- ber 6, 1893, he left a large estate. He was a popular and influential citizen, one who easily gained the friendship of those with whom he met either in a business or social way, was charitable and benevolent, and took a com- mendable interest in the welfare and prosper- ity of those around him. For a number of years he served as supervisor of his township, was president of the Agricultural Society, and

held several other positions of honor and trust. He was prominently identified with the Ma- sonic order, in which he took an active inter- est. On June 4, 1846, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Esther Odell, who was born in the town of Unionvale, March 9, 1829, and was educated there and in Amenia. She still survives her husband, and like him is held in the highest respect.

Uriah Odell, the grandfather of Mrs. Abel, was a native of Pawling town, Dutchess coun- ty, and followed the vocation of a farmer. He married Miss Esther Sheldon, and to them were born the following children: John, Dan- iel, Benjamin, Isaac, Abijah (who married Ann Hubbard), Ann, Lamira (who married Davis Hubbard), Sallie, and Polly (who married Daniel Butler).

Daniel Odell, the father of Mrs. Abel, was born in Pawling town in 1781, attended the common schools of Delaware county, N. Y., and later carried on farming in Unionvale town. In the old training days he served as captain of a company of militia, and took a prominent part in public affairs. For his first wife he married Miss Esther Stevens, daughter of Archibald Stevens, of Dover town, Dutch- ess county, and to them were born two chil- dren: (1) Samuel, born December 3, 1809, married Hannah Hunt, and had three chil- dren-Duane, Sheldon and Adeline. (2) Eb- enezer, born August 23, 1812, married Sallie A. Baker, and had two children-Ann E., who married Duane Odell; and Levina, who died unmarried.

On June 20, 1817, his first wife died, and November 17, 1817, Daniel Odell married Miss Esther Cole, a daughter of Royal and Hannah Cole. During the Revolutionary war her fa- ther aided the Colonies in securing their inde- pendence, and lived to be over ninety years of age, dying on the Fourth of July. Seven chil- dren graced the second marriage, namely: (1) Olive A., born June 2, 1818, married Henry W. Uhl, a farmer of Unionvale, by whom she had a son, Daniel H., who died when young; her death occurred in 1847. (2) Daniel W., born April 28, 1821, was a farmer by occupation, and married Hannah Devine, daughter of Abel Devine, by whom he had a daughter, Mary E., who died at the age of seventeen years. For his second wife, Dan- iel wedded Elizabeth Giddley, of the town of Lagrange, Dutchess county, and they had two children: Ardell E., who married Robert Mo-

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rey, and later became the wife of Zachariah Dorland; and Willis B., who married Annie Baker. (3) Newton B., born January 18, 1823, married Christina Baker, and they had one child: Ida, who married Frank Akerley. After the death of his first wife he wedded Annie Morey, and to them was also born a daughter: Levina M. (4) Luman B., born February 23, 1826, wedded Mary Abel, and had three children: Daniel J. , who married Hat- tie Coe; Wright, who married Inez A. Brill; and Flora M., who married Charles Brill, Jr. (5) Mrs. Esther Abel is next in order of birth. (6) Alexander J., born April 17, 1832, wedded Mary L. Taber, of Washington town. (7) Hannah L., born March 6, 1840, married Rev. S. W. Butler, a minister of Fall River, N. Y., who is now living in Nebraska. They had two children: Wright A .; and Odell C., who was born at Fall River, February 22. 1874, was educated in the De Garmo Institute, of Fishkill-on-Hudson, and is now engaged in farming.

A BIAH W. PALMER, who was called from this life in January, 1882, was widely known throughout Dutchess county, having spent most of his life in Amenia, and by all was held in the highest regard. He was born January 25, 1835, at Amenia, on the old home- stead which was deeded to his father by the Nine Partners, the son of Abiah Palmer, Sr., who removed from the town of Stanford, Dutchi- ess county, to Amenia, in 1789, and immedi- ately took an active part in public business, being a successful farmer and mine owner. He died before his son was born, and the mother of our subject passed away when he was only nine years old. He then made his home with two half brothers and two half sisters.

Mr. Palmer pursued his academical course at the Amenia Seminary, later was a student in the Cazenovia Seminary, and at the age of twenty years entered Union College, which he attended for two years. On account of ill health he was not permitted to graduate, be- ing compelled to relinquish his studies in 1856, and soon afterward he started for Europe, where the following two years were passed in travel. On his return home he was not strong or thoroughly well, but greatly improved in health. Being nominated by the Republican party in 1859, he was elected to represent his 26

district in the General Assembly, receiving over seven hundred majority, and at once took high rank in that body. In the following year he was unanimously renominated, an honor he was compelled to decline; but later he was in the Senate for two consecutive terms, taking there, also, a prominent and active part, and serving on several important committees.

Among the valuable property owned by Mr. Palmer was the iron mine at Amenia, which he sold just before the Civil war broke out. For years he served as president of the First National Bank of Amenia, and was re- elected to that position the day after his death, as the news of that sad event had not reached the village. He was always a strong Repub- lican in politics, socially was connected with Amenia Lodge No. 672, F. & A. M., and was a man of deep religious convictions, but not a member of any Church. Public-spirited and progressive, he was one of the most popular citizens of the community, and no words are needed to assert his high and delicate sense of honor-his blameless integrity, both in public and private life. In 1860 he received the nomi- nation for comptroller of New York State, but was defeated. At Westfield, Mass., in 1872, he was married to Miss Jeanette Yeamans, a daughter of Roland Yeamans, and two children were born to them: Roland Swift and Katha- rine.

Mr. Palmer was a man of great influence, his advice being often sought and deferred to by far older men, and no one's opinion in the community on any subject of business action, or social expediency, carried greater weight than his. He had a marvelous faculty of seeing, in any emergency, the precise thing that should be done. His sympathetic, genial nature put him often in confidential relations with all, and no person was so unpopular or so obscure as to forfeit his kind attention. For a number of years prior to his death he was in very poor health, and often made trips to the South and to Colorado. A year before his death he located permanently at Manitou Park, Colo., hoping that the high latitude and pure air would give him, at least, a partial restoration of health. But it was decreed otherwise, and he would have been glad to have returned to Amenia; but the condition of his health rendered it imposible. He breathed his last at Manitou Park, and his remains were . brought back to Amenia and interred. We cannot better close this brief record of his life

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than by quoting a letter written by Bishop H. N. Powers in tribute to him:

" I wish that I might stand up among those who gather at Mr. Palmer's grave, and pay a tribute to his youth. I knew him from his early childhood to the years when he bore great public trusts with distinction and honor, and my recollection of him is singularly delight- ful. All through his boyhood and youth I can recall nothing about him but what is suggestive of rare qualities and a noble nature. His in- clinations from the first were good. With his unfolding intelligence he seemed instinctively drawn to what was morally wholesome, refin- ing, uplifting.

"From his incipient boyhood he showed those traits and that disposition which are prophetic of an honorable and useful manhood. As time went on he developed into the thought- ful, gentle, ingenuous, studious youth of high aims and most attractive presence. His nat- ural talents were remarkable. His sympathies led him into the best associations. His spirit was lovely. There is no face, among those of my early acquaintances, more clearly stamped upon my memory than his, and every linea- ment of it indicated sincerity, sensibility, a keen, bright intelligence. His deep. soft, luminous eyes, so trustful and searching, seem looking upon me now, with meanings that go to my heart.

" I thank God that it has been my privilege to see and live in contact with a young life so fair and lovely as his. The very thought of it is refreshing, and I shall carry its sweetness with me while I live."

W ENDEL STROBEL (deceased). Many of the best class of citizens of Dutchess county have come from over the sea, particu- larly from the empire of Germany. They have transported to this country the industry, thrift and economy of their native land, and have been important factors in the upbuilding and advancement of the land of their adoption. Of this class of honest, alien-born citizens. none have occupied a more prominent place than Mr. Strobel and his family. He was born, reared and educated in Germany, and was one of the twelve children of Peter Stro- bel and wife, who were also natives of the Fatherland.

In the year 1826, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, Mr. Strobel was married to Miss

Christina Ruth, who had received an excellent education in her girlhood. Three children were born to thein, the birth of the eldest oc- curring before they left their native land. They are as follows: Peter, who served as a soldier in the German army; Mary; and Will- iam, who married a young lady of Barrytown, Dutchess Co., N. Y., by whom he has four children. In 1846, with his family, Mr. Stro- bel left Germany for America, and in Barry- town made his home until called from this lite about four years ago. He enjoyed the esteem and regard of the entire community, and at his death was deeply mourned.

Henry Hirtsel, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Strobel, was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and there married Barbara Metz, of the same place. They had both received a common-school education in their native land, and in the same province where their births occurred were born their two children: Peter, who married Eliza Stormf; and Susan: the lat- ter was given excellent educational advantages in the Fatherland, and there she married Val- entine Ruth. They always made their home in Germany, where were born to them five children, as follows: Mary, who remained single; Catherine, who married Anthony Han- sey; Christina, widow of our subject: Eliza- beth, who died at the age of fifteen years; and Valentine, who was also married. Mrs. Stro- bel and the other children were all born and married in Germany.

C HARLES L. FLETCHER, M. D. The first of the Fletcher family to come to the New World was Cotton Fletcher, a Congrega- tional minister, who was born in England. He reached the shore of this country in 1630, land- ing at Plymouth, Mass., with which colony was his mission, and from him sprang the present family of Fletcher, of which our sub- ject is a worthy representative.

Calvin Fletcher, the grandfather of the Doctor, was born at Poultney, Vt., in 1738, but in childhood removed with his parents to Grand Isle county, of the same State. He re-' ceived a common-school education, and be- came a very successful farmer. He took a prominent part in political affairs, and was called upon to serve in numerous town offices. By his marriage with Miss Eunice Davidson, of Vermont, he had nine children: Asenith, who married Benager Phelps; Olive, who married

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Fisher Ames; William, who married Mary Landon; Thomas, who married a Miss Phelps; Cotton, who married Ann Landon; Edward, the father of our subject; Ruth, who married Benjamin Boardman; Lydia, who married Calvin Robison; and Eunice, who married G. H. Rice.

Edward Fletcher, the father, was born in Grand Isle county, Vt., in 1819, and after the completion of his education turned his atten- tion to mercantile pursuits for a number of years. He then engaged in farming for a time, but afterward returned to merchandising. He was one of the active and leading members of the Republican party in the community where he made his home, and at different times filled all the town offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Edward Fletcher was married to Miss Eliza M. Landon, a daughter of Baldwin and Minerva (Phelps) Landon, agriculturists of Vermont. Ten children were born to this worthy couple, as follows: ( 1) Arelia E. mar- ried Edwin Phelps. (2) Henry C. engaged in the ranch business in Montana, and was there married. (3) Edward C. died at the age of fifteen years. (4) Charles L. is the next in order of birth. (5) Edgar E., who was born in Vermont in 1853, was educated in the same academy and university as our subject, and is now engaged in the practice of medicine at Boulder, Mont. He married Miss Emma Rob- inson, and they have three children. (6) Fred F. is now engaged in civil engineering, and owns a foundry at Bozeman, Mont. (7) Frank E. studied law, but never engaged in its prac- tice; for some time he followed farming, but was later connected with the Eagle Condensed Milk factory at Wassaic, N. Y .; he married Miss Carrie Rozwell, and has four children- Barbara, Leon, Edna and Francis. (8) El- mer is now engaged in the mercantile business at New Bedford, Mass. (9) Kate M. is the wile of Hegiston Hoag, a prosperous farmer, and they have three children. (10) Ernest, the youngest of the family, is now engaged in the ranch business at Boulder, Montana.

The birth of our subject occurred in the town of Milton, Chittenden Co .. Vt., while his primary education was obtained in the public schools, and he supplemented the knowledge there acquired by a course in the academy at South Hero, Vt., from which he graduated. He then entered the medical department of the Vermont University, graduating with the class

of '73, at the age of twenty-two. The follow- ing year he commenced the practice of his chosen profession in the town of George, Franklin Co., Vt., but in the fall of 1881 lo- cated at South Dover, Dutchess county, and has since been one of the most successful phy- sicians of the community. In 1892 the Doc- tor purchased a fine farm of 335 acres on what is called Chestnut Ridge, which is well stocked and highly improved. Before coming to this county he held a number of town offices in his native State. As a Master Mason, he is con- nected with Dover Plains Lodge No. 666, F. & A. M. He stands deservedly high as a mem- ber of the medical fraternity, and as a private citizen also holds an enviable position in the estimation of his fellowmen.

Dr. Fletcher was married to Miss Helen Corwin, and to them were born four children: Helena and Edward, who died in infancy; C. Harold, who was born in 1880, and is now preparing for college; and Alice C., who died at the age of nine years.

T HOMAS K. CRUSE, A. M., M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Wap- pingers Falls, Dutchess county, was born in Baltimore, Md., March 3, 1849, and is a son of Isaac Cruse, whose birth occurred in Alex- andria, Va., in 1806. His paternal grand- father, Thomas Cruse, was a native of Dub- lin, Ireland, by occupation a linen merchant, and he there married a Miss Hamilton, of the same city. About 1798, a continuance of resi- dence in Dublin having become impossible by reason of his affiliation with the fomenters of Emmet's rebellion, Thomas Cruse and family emigrated to Virginia, and there he started a successful business in the importation of Irish linens. In religious belief he was an Episco- palian, and in politics a Federalist. His fam- ily comprised four children, namely: Mary, who became the wife of a Mr. Power, of Car- lisle, Penn. ; Eliza, who married James Creigh- ton, of Philadelphia; Franklin, who died in in- fancy; and Isaac, the father of the subject of this sketch.

On reaching manhood Isaac Cruse left the Old Dominion for Baltimore, Md., where he engaged in merchandising. He there wedded Mary W. Kelso, a native of Pittsburg, Penn. She was a daughter of Dr. Joseph Kelso, sur- geon to the Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadel- phia, he being of Scotch descent through the

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Galbraiths of Revolutionary fame. Six chil- dren were born to Isaac and Mary W. Cruse: Anna E., who married David H. Paige (vice- president. Texas & Houston Central railway , of New York City; Bertha, wife of Charles H. Currier, of the same city; Mary W., married to Edward J. Peters, also of New York City; Virginia, wife of Eugene W. Watson, captain United States navy; Emmeline Il., widow of Graham Blandy, long a member of the New York Stock Exchange, and Thomas K., subject of this sketch. On leaving Baltimore, Isaac Cruse removed to New York City, where for twenty-five years he was an active member of the Produce Exchange, and at one time its president. Throughout life he was a stanch Democrat, and a pillar of the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, now under Dr. Park- hurst's charge.

When a child, Thomas K. Cruse accom- panied his parents to New York City, where through five years he attended old ward school No. 45, in Twenty-fourth street. Leaving school, he was successful in gaining entrance to the College of the City of New York, from which institution he took his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1868. Having thus completed a sound literary and scientific education, he began the attendance of lectures at Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College, from which he gradu- ated as Doctor of Medicine in 1870, when barely twenty-one years of age. Immediately after graduation, and after a hard competitive examination, he was appointed resident sur- geon to Bellevue Hospital, subsequently, also, receiving the appointment of surgeon to the Bellevue Hospital Bureau of Relief for Out- Door Poor. These positions kept the Doctor hard at work during most of the first four years of his professional life, although for a few months of that period he served also as surgeon to the White Star line of transatlantic steamers.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 74

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