Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 85

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

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George W. Draper. his father, was born about 1816. in the town of Dover. where he acquired his education in the district schools. and was bound out to Ephraim Cronkright. a farmer of that township; but he bought his time and began work for Elihu Hoag. Having secured a little money he entered Jacob Wil- let's boarding school. in the town of Washing- ton. Dutchess county: and after completing his education he engaged in teaching in the town of Unionvale. Dutchess county, and continued for twenty-four consecutive years, becoming one of the most able instructors in the county. He also served as school commissioner for

three terms. In Unionvale he was united in marriage with Ruth E. Hall, who died in April, 1867, and his death occurred twenty years later. In their family were three children: Maria C., wife of Gilbert H. Purdy, of Pough- keepsie; Angeline, who died in infancy; and John H. The father belonged to Shekomeko

Lodge, F. & A. M .. of Washington Hollow. and in politics was a Democrat until the war of the Rebellion, when he joined the Repub- lican party.

John H. Draper, our subject, was born in the town of Unionvale January 4, 1849, and his literary education was obtained under the able instruction of his father. For one term, in 1865-66, he attended Bryant & Stratton Business College. at Poughkeepsie. He began his business career as a clerk in the store of David D. Vincent. of Unionvale. where he re- mained during 1864 and 1865, and in the sum- mer of 1866 was employed in the drug store of Wood & Tittamer. of Poughkeepsie, while in the following fall he was engaged in teach- ing in the town of Unionvale. He next oper- ated the home farm in that town until 1873. during which time he served as school trustee. and was elected justice of the peace in IS72. Since leaving the farm he has carried on his present business, and he well deserves the lib- eral patronage accorded him. Besides his store, in which he carries a stock of $10,000. he does an extensive business.

In I870. in the town of Beekman, Mr. Draper was married to Miss Jane Noxon. daughter of Alfred and Deborah (Ganung) Noxon, farming people of Delaware county, who had a family of three children: Elizabeth. William and Jane Mrs. Draper). The mother of this family died in IS;S. the father is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Draper have two chil- dren: Fred and Elizabeth, both at home. Politically. Mr. Draper is an ardent Repub- lican, and is a public-spirited, progressive citi- zen. deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare and advancement of the town and county with which he is identified. In 1877 and 1878 he served as supervisor, and at the present time is the efficient town clerk. having been elected in 1894 and again in 1896. For the past four years he has been a member of the county committee. During Harrison's ad- ministration he served as postmaster.

M ILES BUCKLEY. The Buckley fam- ily, of Wassaic. Dutchess county, is a remarkable one, whose history is as honorable as it is unique. Joseph Buckley. the grand- father, was born in England in 1792, and when only ten years of age was brought to America by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs.

Jahren Srapaz

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

Hinchcliff. In the district schools of Amenia, Dutchess county, he acquired his education, and during his youth learned the weaver's trade, at which he worked for many years. His death occurred in 1864. He was united in marriage with Miss Julia Chapman, daugh- ter of Robert Chapman, of Sharon, Conn., and to them were born eight children: Henry, Benjamin, Betsy, Robert, Joseph, Sarah, Sey- mour and Miles, all now deceased with the exception of Betsy, who is the wife of Charles Hall, of Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut.

Benjamin Buckley was born in the town of Amenia, November 20, 1812, and was there reared, attending the district schools of the neighborhood. When a young man he went to Ohio, where he lived for three years, and on his return east located in New York City, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some time at Sharon, Conn. There, at the age of twenty years, he was married to Miss Sally Ingraham, by whom he had one daughter, Julia, who was born May 13, 1834, and is now the wife of Gilbert Lake, of Sharon. After a six-years' residence at that place the father removed to Amenia, Dutchess county, where the death of his first wife oc- curred. At Pleasant Valley, Dutchess Co., N. Y., June 24, 1840, by Rev. B. F. Wiles, Ben- jamin Buckley was married to Harriet Lewis, daughter of Hezekiah Lewis, of Amenia. Twelve children-ten sons and two daugh- ters-blessed this union, namely: Seymour, born March 24, 1841, lives at Amenia; Albert P., born June 15, 1842, resides at Dundee, Ill .; Louisa L., born February 8, 1844, is the wife of George Berch, of Wassaic; Lewis, born March 29, 1845, also lives in Wassaic; Henry, born January 10, 1847, is a carpenter of South Dover, Dutchess county; Elijah S., born June 13, 1848, makes his home at New Berlin, N. Y .; Benjamin Franklin, born Sep- tember 17, 1849, resides in Elgin, Ill. ; Charles, born February 27, 1851, is a resident of Was- saic; Miles, born December 16, 1852, also lives in Wassaic, N. Y .; Edward, born June 4, 1854, also lives in Wassaic; Catharine, born September 10, 1855, died May 26, 1865; and Norman R., born September 5, 1856, is living in Dundee, Ill. The children were all born within the space of fifteen years, and received honest, sensible names. Elijah, Charles, Ed- ward, Lewis, Albert and Norman are all in the employ of the New York Condensed Milk Co. All are now married, and are thrifty, enter-

prising citizens, owning comfortable homes of their own.

For three years after his second marriage, Benjamin Buckley continued to make his home at Amenia, and then removed to Ellsworth, Conn., where he lived for eight years, at the end of which time he located in the village of Amenia, there passing the following four years. After six months then passed at Sharon, Conn., he removed to Wassaic, where most of the family have since resided. His death occurred March 6, 1893, at the ripe old age of eighty- one years. He was a Republican in politics, and an honored veteran of the Civil war. The war record of the family is one of which they may be justly proud, four of its members enter- ing the Union army to defend the country in its hour of peril. Although over fifty years of age, the father enlisted in Company A, 150th N. Y. V. I., in which he faithfully served until the close of the war; while of his sons, Sey- mour was a member of the 13th Connecticut; Albert, of the 48th New York, and Lewis of the 2nd Massachusetts regiment.

The mother died June 13, 1896, at the age of eighty years, while she looked to be not over sixty. She was the daughter of Hezekiah and Lydia (Perry) Lewis (the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Amenia, Dutchess county), and was the third in a family of six children, all now deceased. They were Sarah, wife of John Church; Louisa, wife of Calvin Day; Abigail, wife of Norman Bates; Lydia Ann (unmarried); and Catherine, wife of Will- iam McArthur. Her father, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, always lived in the town of Amenia, where he followed the trade of a car- penter. Her grandfather, Joseph Lewis, was a resident of Great Barrington, Mass., and a Revolutionary soldier, faithfully serving throughout the entire struggle for independ- ence.

V IRGIL G. WINANS, one of the most energetic and enterprising agriculturists of the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, where he operates a good farm, is a native of the county, born in Pine Plains, February 15, 1867, the only son of Seymour and Caroline A. (Guernsey) Winans. He obtained his early education in the district schools near his home, later attending the Seymour Smith Institute, in the village of Pine Plains.

Mr. Winans began life for himself, in ISS8,

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on the Desault Guernsey farm, where he has since resided, and has placed the land under a high state of cultivation. On June 7, 1893, he was united in marriage with Miss Susie Conklin, a daughter of Isaac P. Conklin, of the town of Washington, Dutchess county. Mr. Winans is a prominent member of Stan- ford Grange. Although yet a young man, he is rapidly growing into the esteem and respect of his neighbors, and bids fair, in the near future, to assume a prominent and influential position in the community.

Calvin P. Guernsey, his maternal grand- father, was born in the town of Stanford, No- vember 1, 1811, and was a son of Ezekiel Guernsey. His boyhood days were spent upon the home farm, near Hunns Lake, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he secured his education. He studied medicine with Dr. Haight, in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, and also with Dr. Peter Guernsey, of New York City. After practicing for some time at Clinton Corners he removed to Schultz- ville, Dutchess county, but finally returned to the town of Clinton, where he continued in successful practice up to his death, which oc- curred December 3, 1855.

On October 30, 1839, in the town of Clin- ton, Dr. Guernsey was married to Miss Louisa A. Arnold, who was born May 5, 1822, and died December 4, 1853. They became the parents of two children, namely: Welcome A., who was born March 4, 1841, married Laura Morris, of New York City, and died January 22, 1867; and Caroline A. (mother of our subject), who was born June 29, 1846, and, December 7, 1864, became the wife of Sey- mour Winans. Since 1860 she has been a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and is a most estimable lady. Her mother was the daughter of Welcome Arnold, who was born September 11, 1783, and died October 2, 1881. He wedded Mary Rowe, by whom he had three children (all now deceased), namely: Archibald H. R., Melinda, and Louise. The mother was born November 27, 1788, and de- parted this life March 24, 1876.

G EORGE HENRY SWIFT, one of the representative and highly respected busi- ness men and farmers of the town of Amenia, Dutchess county, is descended from William Swift, who came from England in the great Boston immigration of 1630-1631. He

was born in the county of Essex, England, and on his arrival in Massachusetts located at Watertown. In 1637, however, he sold his possessions there, and removed to Sandwich, Mass., on the cape, where he purchased the largest farm in the locality, which is to-day still owned and occupied by his lineal de- scendants. In his family were three children: William, Hannah and Esther.

William Swift, the son, was born in Eng- land, and accompanied his father to America. He married Miss Ruth -, by whom he had eleven children: Hannah, William, Jireh, Josiah, Temperance, Esther, Dinah, Ephraim, Samuel, Ruth and Mary. Ephraim Swift was born at Sandwich, June 6, 1656, and died in January, 1742. By occupation he was a car- penter and cooper. He married Miss Sarah - -, who died in August, 1734, and to them were born seven children: Elizabeth, Johann, Samuel, Ephraim, Sarah, Hannah and Moscs. Samuel Swift, the third son, was born at Sandwich, Mass., April 9, 1686, and by trade became a carpenter and blacksmith, which pursuits he followed up to his death in Decem- ber. 1757. At Falmouth, Mass., December 24, 1712, he had married Miss Ruth Hatch, and they became the parents of nine children: Ephraim, Manasseh, Judah, Reuben, Moses, Mary, Joanna, Joan and Lydia.

Judah Swift, the third child of the above family, was born at Sandwich, September 3, 1716, and December 14, 1738, was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Morton, of Fal- mouth, Mass., where they continued to reside until 1769. In that year they became resi- dents of Dutchess county, traveling the entire distance to Amenia with an ox-team. Mr. Swift there purchased what is now known as the Barlow farm; but desiring a larger tract, he exchanged it for the farm now owned by Nathan W. Smith. He became one of the most extensive land owners of the county, owning at the time of his death (January 17, 1807) 1, 800 acres of valuable land. Politic- ally he was a Tory. In his family were eight children: Lois, Samuel, Nathaniel, Moses, Rebecca, Seth, Elizabeth and Moses.

Seth Swift, the sixth of the family, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born at Falmouth, Mass., March 16, 1757, and died November 12, 1823. He erected a house upon a portion of his father's vast estate, and there continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until his death. In 1782 he wedded Mary Wells,

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by whom he had six children: Henry, Moses, E. Morton, Ann W., Maria and Thomas.

Henry Swift, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Amenia February 5, 1784, and, after attending the district school near his home, entered Yale College, where he graduated in 1804. He then studied law with Van Ness & Livingston, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1807. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Washington Four Corners, in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, where he re- mained until December, 1816, at which time he removed his office to the three-story brick build- ing opposite the Farmers' and Manufacturers' Bank, Poughkeepsie, there successfully engag- ing in practice until his death, November 5, 1866. From 1841 until called from this life he resided inthe house now occupied by Dr. A. P. Van Gieson, on Cannon street. Socially, he was identified with the Masonic fraternity, and held a high position in the regard of his fellow citizens. At Poughkeepsie, July 23, 1807, he married Rebecca Warner, who was born there June 26, 1785, a daughter of Thomas and Alida Warner, and died October 7, 1855. In their family were the following children : Charles Wells, born June 27, 1812, died No- vember 19, 1877; Maria, born September 22, 1814, died June 2, 1841 ; John Morton, born September 18, 1816, died April 3, 1887; George Henry, of this sketch, is next in order of birth; Frances, born November 29, 1821, died No- vember 13. 1887, and James Harvey, born April 23, 1825, died September 27, 1889.

George Henry Swift, the only one of his father's family now living, was born at the family residence on Market street in Pough- keepsie, February 8, 1820, and acquired his early education at the Dutchess County Acad- emy, and at Judge Hall's private school, Elling- ton, Conn., while he completed his literary course at Yale College, entering in 1837 and graduating in 1840. Returning to Poughkeep- sie, he began the study of law in the office of his father, and was admitted to the bar at Utica, N. Y., in 1843. He at once began the practice of his profession at Poughkeepsie in connection with his father and brother, Charles W .. and there remained until the spring of 1846, when he sold out to them and came to the town of Amenia, for one year making his home with his brother John. He then pur- chased the farm on which he has since lived, devoting his attention mainly to agricultural

pursuits, though he still engages in the prac- tice of law to a limited extent. He is now president of and attorney for the First Na- tional Bank of Amenia. A conscientious, earnest Christian gentleman, he has for many years served as local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Amenia Union, and in all the relations of life he has faithfully discharged his duties to himself, his neighbor and his country.

On January 28, 1844, at Poughkeepsie, Mr. Swift married Emily Eddy Babcock, daughter of Elder Rufus Babcock, pastor of Lafayette Place Baptist Church, and they had one son, Rufus Eddy, who was born October 25, 1844, and died July 3, 1870. The wife and mother departed this life November 5, 1844. At Amenia, March 17, 1847, Mr. Swift was again married, his second union being with Pamela Forrest Paine, daughter of Har- vey and Hannah Paine, of that place. Six children graced this union: Emily Eddy, born January 21, 1848, died June 20, 1855: Eliza- beth R., born July 23, 1849, is the wife of Samuel L. Brengle, of New York City, a ma- jor in the Salvation Army, and they have two children-George S. and Elizabeth S .; George P., born March 26, 1851, died November 19, 1864; Harvey W., born July 23, 1855, died December 10, 1864; Maria R., born May 12, 1860, died November 29, 1864, and Susan F., born July 10, 1862, graduated at Vassar in 1883, and is now a brigadier in the Salvation Army, and stationed at National headquarters, New York City. The mother of this family passed away June 20, 1896.

Politically, Mr. Swift is a Republican, and in 1854, at Washington Hollow, he took a prominent part in the mass meeting that organ- ized the Republican party in Dutchess county, and he has ever been one of its active sup- porters. He has efficiently served as super- visor and clerk, but has never been an office- seeker.

N ATHAN SMITH, a reliable and energetic business man of Dutchess county, is now successfully conducting a general store at Amenia Union, where since 1891 he has effi- ciently served as postmaster. A native of the county, he was born in the town of Amenia, April 21, 1848, and is a son of John H. and Maria ( Reed) Smith. His father, who was a well-known wagon maker of Amenia, traces his

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ancestry back to Nehemiah Smith, who came to this country from England some time before 1637. He married Annie Bourne. and their only son, who also bore the name of Nehemiah. married Lydia Winchester. Their son Nehe- miah married Dorothy Wheeler, by whom he had twelve children, the seventh being Isaac. who wedded Esther Denison. Of their family of eleven children, William was the ninth in order of birth. He married Sarah Smith, and to them were born eleven children. Nathan Smith, the seventh, being the grandfather of our subject. By his marriage with Nancy Waterman. he had five children, of whom John H. was the youngest.

At the public schools of Wassaic. our sub- ject acquired his education, and at the age of eighteen years he began working on the farm of Homer Hitchcock. The following winter he passed at Schenectady, N. Y., after which he returned to Dutchess county and was em- ployed on the farm of his uncle, Nathan W. Smith, for a year. Subsequently he clerked for two and a half years for Oliver Chamber- lain, and was again with his uncle Nathan for three years. Four years later he spent in farm- ing at Cornwall Bridge, Conn. In IS72 he married Miss Josephine L. Hufcut, a daughter of William Hufcut, of the town of Dover. Dutchess county, and by her had one daughter. Josephine. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 18;s, and in the spring of 1877 Mr. Smith was married at Amenia to Miss Sarah Barrett, and they have one son, Nathan Collins.

After his second marriage, Mr. Smith went to Poughkeepsie township. Dutchess county. where for two years he operated the farm of Lawyer Weeks, and on his return to Amenia town he conducted his uncle's farm for two years. He was next superintendent of D. H. Sherman's farm for a year, and the following four years he rented land of W. A. Sherman. On leaving that place he purchased the Jacob Rundall farm, between Amenia and Wassaic. where he made his home for three years, and at the end of that time sold out to A. E. Hall. In the spring of Iss9. he purchased of A. D. Buckley the old Lambert store at Amenia Union, and has since engaged in general mer- chandising at that place, carrying a large and well-selected stock. His courteous treatment of his customers, and his systematic methods of doing business, have won for himself a liberal patronage. so that he now enjoys a lucrative

trade. Politically, he supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and is promi- nently connected with Webatuck Grange, while in religious belief he is a Baptist, being a lead- ing member of the Church of that denomina- tion at Amenia.

W RIGHT DEVINE, the efficient post- master of Pleasant Valley. Dutchess county, who. in relation to the village, has largely promoted its interests and supported all measures calculated to prove of public benefit, was born December 13. IS38, in that locality.

In the early Colonial days there came from Holland to America the founder of the family in the New World. He was the great-grand- father of our subject, and his son. the grand- father. Abram Devine. was born in New Jer- sey. The latter married Ann Devine, and located on a farm in the town of Pleasant Valley, where he reared a family of seven chil- dren. as follows: Daniel, a farmer of Pleasant Valley; Abel, who carried on agricultural pur- suits in the town of Washington; Jonathan, father of our subject: Joshua, also a farmer of Washington; Phoebe, who married Abram Van- Vlack, a farmer of Dutchess county: Nancy. who married William Welling. of Dutchess county: Joel, a physician of Poughkeepsie. Grandfather Devine made farming his lifework and died on the old homestead in 1850. a life- long Democrat, his wife passing away some years previous.

Jonathan Devine, the father of our subject, was born and reared on the old home place, and became a shoemaker by trade. In 1827 he married Catherine Van Vlack, a native of Dutchess county, and a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Van Vlack, the former of whom was also descended from Holland ancestry. Mír. and Mrs. Devine took up their residence upon a farm in the town of Pleasant Valley. and reared a family of ten children: Abram and Albert. who follow farming in Pleasant Valley; Mary E .. deceased: Sarah J .: Bartlett, who operates the old homestead: Reuben C., a farmer of Lagrange township: Erastus and Theodore, both deceased: Anna E .. wife of E. C. Drake. a merchant of Pleasant Valley: and Wright. The father died October 3. ISSI, at the age of eighty-four, the mother on October 29, 1890, aged eighty-one years. He was a Democrat in politics, and for thirty years

might & home

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

served acceptably as justice of the peace, dis- charging his duties in a highly creditable and satisfactory manner.

Throughout his life Wright Devine, our subject, has lived in Pleasant Valley. Farm work and study in the public schools occupied most of his time during childhood, and after leaving the district school he engaged in teach- ing in the town of Lagrange for one year. He afterward continued his education in the Nine Partners School, and later resumed teach- ing, after which he was employed as a sales- man in a general mercantile store at Four Cor- ners. His next service was in the employ of a fire insurance company, which he repre- sented in Ulster county. He is now serving as postmaster of Pleasant Valley, to which position he was appointed by President Cleve- land, and his administration of the affairs of the office commends him to the respect and confidence of all. He has been justice of the peace some twelve years, and town clerk for several years. Mr. Devine was married Sep- tember 10, 1866, to Miss Julia M. Way, daugh- ter of James Way, a carpenter, and they have two children: Grace E. and Seward W. The mother died in 1893, a devout member of St. Paul's Church.

In the spring of 1867 Mr. Devine, in con- nection with his brother Albert, purchased his present store, and after a partnership of two years became sole proprietor. He is an enter- prising, progressive merchant, and his large and carefully selected stock receives the pat- ronage of the public in a liberal degree. Mr. Devine is never too busy to devote a portion of his time to the public welfare. He was largely instrumental in building the sidewalks in Pleasant Valley village, and is interested in all that pertains to the upbuilding of the com- munity. In religious faith he attends St. Paul's Church, of which he is vestryman and treasurer. Socially, he is a member of the order of F. & A. M., and for two years was master of Shekomeko Lodge No. 458, and he is now treasurer of that lodge. His innate nobility of character, and his devotion to every manly principle, have made him one of the most highly esteemed residents of Pleasant Valley.

E DWIN BROWN, a well-known artist, re- siding near Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, finds much of the inspiration for his beautiful landscapes in the picturesque scenery which 30

surrounds his home. His farm had been in the possession of his family for several gen- erations.

Bastian Brown, great-grandfather of our subject, and who was one of three brothers who came from Holland about 1730, leased a large tract of land from Col. Beekman soon after his arrival, and a portion of it comprises Mr. Brown's present estate. Bastian Brown married Margaret Schultz, and had three chil- dren: Peter (our subject's grandfather), Elea- nor, and John. Peter Brown married Eleanor Paulding, and settled at the old homestead. Six children were born of this union: Sebas- tian (our subject's father), John (who died in childhood), Margaret (Mrs. Camp, of Newark, N. J.), William and Edwin (who never mar- ried), and Abigail (who married James Clear- man, of New York).

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 85

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