Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 91

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

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Mr. Smith was born on the old family homestead at North Lyme, Conn., January 12, 1818, and is a son of Nathan and Nancy (Waterman) Smith, in whose family were five children, the others being: Sarah M., who became the wife of Columbus Reed; Gilbert B .: Nancy L. and John H. His father was born at the same place, November 12, 1788, and was four times married, his first wife be- ing the mother of our subject: they were mar- ried in 1810, and she died July 2, 1824. After her death he married Hannah Stark, by whom he had two children-Fitch C. and Henry S. His third wife was Nancy Baker, widow of Mathias Baker, and daughter of Deacon Eli- phalet Hillyard, and after her death he mar- ried Mary Gallup. At one time he was cap- tain of a sloop, but the greater part of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits at Salem, Conn. He lived to a ripe old age, dying March 26, 1886. For many years he served as deacon in the Baptist Church at North

Either & Smith

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Lyme, Conn. ; was one of his country's defend- ers in the war of 1812, and was always an up- right, honorable man, who had the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.

Our subject can trace his ancestry back to Nehemiah (1) Smith, who landed in Massachu- setts prior to 1637, and was prominently con- nected with the early history of Connecticut. In his family of nine children there was only one son, Nehemiah (2), who for several years served as a member of the General Assembly at Hartford. His son, Nehemiah (3), was a farmer of New London county, Conn., and was the father of Isaac Smith, in whose family was William Smith, the grandfather of our subject. The latter, who was a farmer in New London county, married Sarah Smith, a daugh- ter of Nathan and Elizabeth Smith, and to them were born twelve children: William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Gurdon, John D., Edward, ·Nathan, Phebe, Charlotte, Lucy, Almira and Ansyl.

N. W. Smith, whose name introduces this sketch, attended the district schools near his boyhood home at North Lyme, Conn., and com- pleted his education at Essex Academy. For two years he then clerked in a general store at North Lyme, later was similarly employed at Hamburg, Conn., for a year, after which he went to Saratoga county, N. Y., where he worked on a farm for a season. By stage and steamboat he then came to the town of Amenia, Dutchess county, to visit his sister, Mrs. Columbus Reed, and subsequently was employed by Noah Gridley on a farm at Wassaic, where he remained two years. For the same length of time he worked for Mrs. Jacob Rundall, after which he went to Chicago by way of canal, railroad and Great Lakes, but after a short time spent in that city he re- turned to Dutchess county, and for three years was in the employ of William A. Benton, of Leedsville.

In January, 1847, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Adeline E. Holly, who died in October, 1848. To them had been born one son, John Holly, who died in infancy. In the town of Washington, Dutchess county, on February 4, 1850, he was again married, his second union being with Esther J. Odell (born in 1828), one of the four children of Peter and Sarah Odell, of Jefferson county, the others being George, Levi and Elizabeth. In 1847, Mr. Smith removed to Northeast

town, where for two years he engaged in farm- ing, but the following year he passed as a clerk in the store of Columbus Reed, at Was- saic. He was again on the farm of Jacob Rundall for three years, and for seventeen years operated the Noah Gridley farm. In 1870 he removed to his present place south of South Amenia, a farm consisting of 400 acres, which he purchased for $30,000, but mortgaged it for $20,000, and also bought several thousand dollars worth of stock. Three years later he sold 115 acres for $8, 500. So well did he succeed in this undertaking that by 1883 the place was free from indebtedness, and was yielding a handsome return for the care and the labor expended upon it. His achievement was all the more remarkable as the man who had previously lived upon the place declared he could not make a living there. Industry, perseverance and energy are numbered among his chief characteristics, and as he has been dependent upon his own re- sources from boyhood, his success is but the just reward of his own unaided efforts.

At the age of seventeen years, Mr. Smith united with the Baptist Church at Lyme, Conn., and now holds membership with the Church at Amenia, of which he is a deacon. His father and grandfather before him held the same position in the churches to which they belonged. Since the organization of the Re- publican party, he has been one of its most earnest advocates.

B EVERLY W. HOWARD. The subject of this sketch stands second to none among the well-to-do farmers of the town of Wash- ington, Dutchess county, whose record it has been deemed wise to preserve in this manner for the perusal of the coming generation. As a judicious tiller of the soil he has met with success, and as a man and citizen holds a good position among his neighbors. He be- longs to a family long prominent in the history of Maryland, where the founder of the family in the New World (who was from England) located at an early day. He was born in the city of Baltimore on April 21, 1850.

His grandfather, Samuel Howard, was born in Baltimore county, Md., in 1785, where his early life was passed. He was a man of lei- sure, as he was possessed of considerable wealth. By his marriage with Miss Ariana Cole, also a native of Baltimore county, he became the fa-

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ther of eight children, as follows: Abram, de- ceased, was a farmer of Muskingum county, Ohio; George W. is the father of our subject; Samuel and John died in childhood; Eliza be- came the wife of James Fulton, a merchant, but both are now deceased; Celia is the widow of William L. Rieman, a merchant of Balti- inore; Sarah married Eli Beckwith, a real-es- tate dealer of Cleveland, Ohio, and both have now passed away; and Anna is the widow of Luther Norris, a merchant of Westminster, Md. The parents of this family were Meth- odists in religious belief. The grandfather spent his last days in Muskingum county, Ohio.

George W. Howard, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Maryland, October 12, 1810, and after reaching man's estate was for fifty years a wholesale dry-goods merchant of Balti- more. In later life he wrote a book of that city, entitled "The Monumental City." He was quite a prominent man, widely and favor- ably known. His political support was given the Democratic party. His death occurred in Baltimore, on November 26, 1888, but his wife is still living. In that city he had married Carrie Foreman, a daughter of Arthur Fore- man, who was engaged in inilling. They be- came the parents of two children: Ella and Beverly W. The former wedded Henry J. Davison, a civil engineer of New York City, who became very wealthy; he had learned his trade in the Novelty Iron Works of that city, after which he became connected with the gas business, also engaged in the building of steam- boats, and in this way secured a fortune, so that at his death, which occurred July 12, 1890, he left a large estate. His wife had died July 12, 1878. In their family were four children-George Howard, Clarence B., Car- rie Theresa and Ella C.

The boyhood and youth of Beverly W. Howard were passed in Baltimore, Md., and in 1873 he came to Mabbettsville, Dutchess county, where he purchased his present farm of 213 acres of valuable land, now under a good state of cultivation, so that it compares favor- ably with other fine farms of the locality.

On October 8, 1878, Mr. Howard was married to Miss Laura H. Coffin, a daughter of R. G. Coffin, and their union has been blessed by the advent of eight children, name- ly: Samuel B., born November 27, 1879; an infant, who was born January 21, 1882, and died March 10, following; Robert C., born March 21, 1883; Henry D. born August 29,

1885: Ella T., born September 4, 1888; Mar- ietta B., born December 5, 1890; Evlyn, born May 5, 1893; and Clarence K., born Septem- ber 2, 1895. Mr. Howard takes an intelligent and earnest interest in public affairs, actively promoting any scheme that will benefit the community, and is eminently worthy the trust and regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Dem- ocratic party.

C HARLES ALBERT CLINE, of the well- known firm of Cline Brothers, of Miller- ton, Dutchess county, leading commission dealers in wholesale dressed beef, was born No- vember 22, 1857, in the town of Amenia. He is of Holland-Dutch descent, the family name being originally Klein, then Kline and later Cline. His great-grandfather was John Cline, of Amenia, and his grandfather, Philo Cline, was born in Amenia, Dutchess county, with his three brothers. All four settled in the Oblong valley, and all left descendants who are now living in Dutchess county. Philo Cline was engaged in mercantile business and in conducting a hotel for some time, and he also owned large tracts of land in the town. His good education and naturally powerful intel- lect, united with perfect integrity and imparti- ality, gave him great influence in the commun- ity, and he was often called upon to settle dis- putes, both unofficially and in his capacity as justice of the peace. He was often employed to conduct cases in court, and sometimes was chosen to plead both sides. Politically, he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and in religion he held liberal and tolerant views." He died in 1864, and his wife, Harriet Swift, daughter of Moses Swift, departed this life in 1861. They had two sons: Albert, our sub- ject's father; and Franklin, born in 1833, who is now a farmer in the town of Amenia.

Albert Cline was born March 3, 1828, and in early manhood was a miller at South Amenia. Since 1863, he has been a success- ful farmer there, also having a fine farm of 350 acres which he inherited. He has made many improvements, and is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of that locality. In public affairs he is active, giving his influence to the support of the Republican party, and he has held a number of local offices, including that of supervisor. He is a member of the

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Masonic fraternity, and is progressive and broad in his views on all the questions of the day. He married Eliza Reed, adopted daughter of Philo Reed, of Amenia. She died in 1872, leaving four children: Hattie, who married Frank Baylis, of Amenia; Philo R., of the firm of Cline Brothers; Charles Albert; and Maria, who married Walter A. Sherman.

The subject of our sketch received his elementary education in the district schools near his home, and later attended Dover Plains Academy, and Fort Edward Institute, at Fort Edward, N. Y., for three years, being compelled because of ill health to leave before completing his course. Returning home in 1876, he conducted the farm on shares for one year, and then moved to Millerton, and be- came bookkeeper for the East St. Louis Beef Company. A year later, when Nelson Morris bought out the company, Mr. Cline and his brother were made their agents, and for the last five years they have been in the commis- sion business under the firm name of Cline Brothers. They supply a large section of the surrounding territory, including many points in western Connecticut, and for a long distance up and down the Harlem railroad, and by their energy and enterprise they have accumu- lated a fine property. On March 20, 1888, Mr. Cline was married to Miss Cornelia F. Sherman, daughter of Samuel W. Sherman, and they have one son, Charles Sherman Cline. As a citizen Mr. Cline has shown great public spirit, and is a leader among the younger men of the town. He has always been a Republic- an, and takes an active share in party work. In 1894 he was elected supervisor for a term of two years, and performed his duties so ably that he was re-nominated in 1896.

F REDERIC BOSTWICK, who since the age of twenty years has been connected with banking interests, was born in the village of Pine Plains, on September 8, 1849, and is a son of Reuben Bostwick. On the paternal side he traces his lineage in an unbroken line to Arthur Bostwick, who was born in Tarpaly parish, Cheshire, England, in 1603. He had two sons: Arthur, born in 1636, and John, born in 1638. The children of the latter were: John, Zachariah, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth and Jane. John, the first of this family, was born in 1667, and became the father of the follow-

ing children: John, Robert, Ebenezer, Joseph, Nathaniel, Lemuel, Daniel and Mary. In the family of Nathaniel Bostwick, who was born in 1699, were eleven children, namely: Arthur, Sarah, Lois, Reuben, Zadock, Abigail, Elijah, Gideon, Eunice, Tamer and Ichabod. Reu- ben, of this family, was born in 1734, and he had three children: Benjamin R., Mabel and Electa. The only son, Benjamin R., was born in 1762, and in his family were the fol- lowing children: Lodema, Almon R., Reuben W., Charles B., William H. and Horatio N. Reuben W. Bostwick, of this family, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in 1788, and had four children: Reuben, Eliza Ann, William and Jerusha. Reuben, the father of our subject, was born in 1823, and in his family were seven children: Frederic, William, Ida, Hattie, Walter, Walker and J. Hunting.

Our subject was educated at Poughkeepsie, at the College Hill Military Academy, which was then conducted by Otis Bisbee, and there continued his studies for three years. After his graduation from that institution he returned to his home at Pine Plains, and at the age of twenty years entered the Stissing National Bank, being appointed cashier in 1870, suc- ceeding his father in that position. William S. Eno was at that time president of the bank. He continued to serve as cashier until 1889, when he resigned in order to accept the ap- pointment of National Bank Examiner, ten- dered him during President Harrison's admin- istration. He had charge of three counties in New York-Columbia, Dutchess and West- chester. Later he went to Massachusetts, where he examined banks for nearly a year, and was then detailed for the same business in what is known as the Southern District of New York, comprising the counties of Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Greene, Delaware, Oneida, Erie, a part of Albany county, and the coun- ties bordering along the Pennsylvania line. For a year after the expiration of his term he was still retained in the office, which fact clearly indicates the capable manner in which he filled the position.

In his political views Mr. Bostwick has al- ways been a strong Republican, taking a deep interest in the success of his party, and is now serving as county committeeman. He has per- sonally promoted many of the local enterprises of a public nature in Pine Plains, and is one of its most popular and influential citizens. He attends the Presbyterian Church, to which his

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family all belong, and socially is a prominent member of the Dutchess Club, of Pough- keepsic.

J TOHN M. HASKINS, a well-known resident of Amenia, Dutchess county, is now living retired from active labor and in the enjoy- ment of all the comforts and many of the lux- uries of life. A native of Dutchess county, his birth occurred February 14, 1824, in the town of Washington. His father, Alexander Has- kins, was born on Long Island, but, when a young man of about twenty years, located in the town of Washington, where he engaged in farming until 1826, when he removed to the town of Amenia, there following the same oc- cupation. Politically he was a decided Demo- crat. He married Miss Deborah Masten, a native of the town of Milan, Dutchess county, and their family consisted of four children: Phebe, Levi and Ezekiel, all deceased, and John Masten, of this review. The father's death occurred August 7, 1848, and the mother was called from this life in 1857.

At the age of two years our subject was brought by his parents to the town of Amenia, where he attended school until the age of ten years, when he started out in life for himself. For six years he worked in the Gridley Iron Mine at Amenia, but on the expiration of that time, on account of his father's failing health, he returned to the old home, caring for his parents until they crossed the dark river of death. Subsequently Mr. Haskins engaged in teaming for a few years before the railroad was constructed, and in 1858 entered the Manhat- tan Iron Mine at Sharon Station, Dutchess county, where he remained for eight years. He then again entered the service of the Grid- ley mine at Amenia, where for the long period of twenty-one years he capably served as superintendent, but has now laid aside all business cares.

At Pine Plains, Dutchess county, July 31, 1850, Mr. Haskins was married to Miss Mary M. Platt, who was a daughter of Hiram and Matilda Platt, and died August 4, 1884. To them were born four sons-William and George W., deceased; one who died in infancy, and John M., Jr. Since 1868 Mr. Haskins has been identified with Amenia Lodge No. 672, F. & A. M., and he is a highly-respected and honored citizen of the community. He was first a Whig in politics, but since the dis-

solution of that party he has been an active Republican, supporting the principles of his party with all the force of his convictions, and in 1894 and 1895 was a member of the excise board.

D AVID BRYAN, a well-known and pros- perous agriculturist of the town of Amenia, is a worthy representative of a family that for a century and a half has been prominently identified with the best interests of Dutchess county.

The first of the family of whom there is any record was Alexander Bryan, who lived in Con- necticut, where his death occurred in 1760. In his family were two sons and one daughter, namely: Elijah, Ezra and Sarah. Ezra Bryan, the second in this family, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born November 30, 1740, and at the age of twenty-one was mar- ried, in Newtown, Conn., to Sarah Peck. From there the young couple made their way on horseback to the town of Northeast, Dutchess county, where Mr. Bryan took up a farm of 400 acres, and cultivated it in connection with his trade of cabinet making. He was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and through his loyalty to the Colonial government lost the bulk of his property in supporting the Revolu- tionary cause. He died while on his way to meeting, July 7, 1825.

Amos Bryan, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Northeast ( formerly Ame- nia ), January 31, 1779, and was the youngest in the family of five children. His education was obtained in the district schools of his na- tive town, and on reaching manhood he pur- chased 150 acres of the old homestead from the other heirs, which he operated. He also carried on the fanning-mill business, and, to- gether with Calvin Chamberlain, originated the "Chamberlain Plow ". He took quite a prom- inent part in public affairs, serving as assem- blyman in 1840, and also as supervisor and justice of the peace. By birthright he was a Quaker, and died in that faith April 12, 1863. In the town of Northeast, Dutchess Co., N. Y., on October 14, 1804, Amos Bryan was married to Betsey Finch, who was born Octo- ber 5, 1781, and died May 24, 1863. Their family consisted of nine children: Laura, born in 1805, died in 1831; Ward W., born April 12, 1807. died December 14, 1863; Eliza, born March 16, 1810, became the wife of Henry

David Bryan

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Sisson, of the town of Washington, Dutchess county, and died September 3, 1884; Ezra, born March 4, 1812, died March 22, 1876; Isaac, born August 25, 1815, died September 14, 1885; James, born November 27, 1817, died March 16, 1839; David is next in order of birth; Mary, born December 9, 1822, died November 1, 1853; and Sarah, born April 10, 1825, died April 15, 1872.

The birth of David Bryan occurred at the family homestead in the town of Northeast, September 22, 1819. He began his education in the district schools, and the knowledge there acquired was supplemented by a term's attend- ance at the Peekskill Military Academy and by a course in the Banks boarding schools at Do- ver Plains, Dutchess county. He remained upon the home farm and carried on the fan- ning-mill business until 1860. Removing to the "Square " in the town of Northeast, he bought the farm of Judge Smith, comprising 454 acres, where he lived until the fall of 1884, when he came to his present place in the town of Amenia.

On October 21, 1854, Mr. Bryan was united in marriage with Miss Annvennette L. Sackett, a daughter of Phineas K. Sackett. Her death occurred July 21, 1858, and at Astoria, Long Island, March 20, 1867, he was again married, this time to Miss Cornelia T. Willson (dangh- ter of John H. Willson), by whom he had one son, Frederick, born August 23, 1868, and died June 26, 1872. In his political views Mr. Bryan coincides with the Republican party, whose ticket he usually supports, and previous to the organization of the party he was a Whig. He has ever taken a commendable interest in the upbuilding and prosperity of his native county, and by his fellow-citizens has been called upon to serve in several positions, in- cluding those of supervisor, assessor and justice of the peace in the town of Northeast. He is a stockholder and at present a director in the First National Bank of Amenia.

P ETER W. FUNK. Prominent among the leading citizens of Barrytown, Dutchess county, is the gentleman whose name stands at the beginning of this biographical notice. He is a native of Columbia county, N. Y., born in the town of Clermont, January 23, 1843, and is of Holland origin.

David Funk, his grandfather, was born in Holland, and was a member of the British 32

army until coming to the United States. Lo- cating in Columbia county, N. Y., he there followed his trade of shoemaking, He mar- ried Miss Betsy Olmstead, also of Holland, and to them were born eight children: Jacob, John, Edward, Alexander, Andrew, Margaret, Deborah, and a daughter that died in infancy.

The birth of Alexander Funk, the father of our subject, occurred in the town of Clermont, Columbia county, in 1818; there he received a common-school education, and followed farming through the greater part of his life. He wedded Miss Nancy Plass, a daughter of Peter Plass, a farmer of the town of Clermont, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom our subject is the eldest; Edward married Mary Van Tassel; John married Dora Brazie; David married Mary Lasher; Winfield married Alice Buck; Alonzo married Jennie Vandemark; Frank died in infancy; Mary E. was three times married, her first union being with Alexander Palmetier, the second Martin Drum, and the third Hiram Dutcher; and Catherine died in infancy.

In the common schools of his native coun- ty, Mr. Funk, of this review, acquired his edu- cation, and after leaving the school-room he worked at farming, but was rudely awakened from his quiet dreams of the future, by the dark cloud of war that overshadowed our be- loved country. On August 28, 1862, his pa- triotism having been aroused, he enlisted in the 150th N. Y. V. I., which was raised in Dutchess county, and participated in many of the famous battles of the war, including Get- tysburg, Buzzards Roost (which was fought May 14, 1863), Resaca (on the 15th), Culps Farm (on the 22d), and Dallas (on the 25th of the same month), and Peach Tree Creek (on the 20th and 22d of June following). The following winter the regiment was quartered at Savannah, Ga., and the following spring was in two important engagements, one at Averys- boro and the other at Bentonville, N. C. He was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, participating in the capture of Atlanta and Savannah, and was in the last engage- ments of the war. He had entered the serv- ice as a private, but for meritorious conduct had been promoted to the non-commissioned office of corporal, and after the close of hos- tilities was honorably discharged in June, 1865.

Mr. Funk was united in marriage with Miss Delia Houghtaling, daughter of Jeremiah Houghtaling, of the town of Milan, Dutchess

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county. They now have a pleasant home in Barrytown, where our subject is employed as clerk in a mercantile house. He is a promi- nent member of Christian Lodge, I. O. O. F .. of Red Hook, which he joined in 1894, and has filled several chairs of importance in that order. He is also a charter member of Shiloh Encampment, of the same place, and a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows Mutual Benefit Asso- ciation of Dutchess county, with headquarters at Poughkeepsie. He keeps up his acquaint- ance with his army comrades by his connection with Armstrong Post No. 104, G. A. R., of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county. He has mani- fested the same loyalty in days of peace as in days of war, and all who know him have for him the highest regard.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 91

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