Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 97

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

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0 LIVER BARRETT, one of the enterpris- ing and prosperous agriculturists of the town of Northeast, resides on a farm near Cole- man Station, which has been in the possession of the family without interruption for nearly one hundred years. The Barretts are of En- glish descent, but is not known positively when the first of the name came to this country. Ezekiel Barrett, our subject's grandfather, was born September 17, 1742, in Norwich, Conn., where he passed his entire life, following the trade of carpenter and joiner. He was not prominent in politics, nor was he a Church member, although he was a Universalist in be- lief. On July 7, 1773, he married Sarah Lathrop, who was born in Norwich, April 29, 1749. She was a descendant in the fifth gen- eration from Rev. John Lathrop, a Congrega- tional minister, who left England on account of religious persecution, and arrived at Scitu- ate, Mass., September 28, 1634, accompanied by his six sons and two daughters. He died in 1653. His son, Samuel Scudder Lathrop, had a son, Israel, who married Rebecca Bliss: their son William married Sarah Huntington; their son Ezra, Mrs. Barrett's father, married Esther Clark. Mrs. Barrett died October 27,

1811, in her sixty-third year, her husband sur- viving until February 10, 1838, when he passed away at the age of ninety-six years. They had four children : Mary B., born May 19, 1774; Ezra Lathrop, born September 27, 1775; and Oliver and Backus (twins), born April 10, 1779.

Ezra Lathrop Barrett, our subject's father, was a carpenter and joiner, and worked at his trade for many years, He came to Dutchess county prior to 1800, and, after a short stay at Pine Plains, he moved to Northeast and managed the Caleb Dakin farm, now occupied by Mrs. Coleman. Later he bought the farm which our subject owns, moving there in the spring of 1820. The house he built at that time is still in excellent repair, and he con- structed other substantial buildings, including Mrs. Coleman's present home, built for Caleb Dakin. He was a Democrat, and very positive in his views on public matters, and was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Early in life he united with the Congregational Church at Sharon, Conn., but afterward assisted in the establishment of the Northeast Center Congre- grational Church, in which he held the office of deacon until his death. On January 3, 1805, he married Rhoda Dakin, daughter of Caleb and Rhoda (King) Dakin, and granddaughter of Simon Dakin, a well-known Baptist minis- ter, and an early settler of the town. Of this union five children were born: Sarah Louise, born December 6, 1805; Caleb Dakin born November 21, 1807, married Caroline, daugh- ter of Douglas Clark; Edward Lathrop, born July 26, 1810, married Sarah Fish; Myron, born September 9, 1816, a minister of the Presbyterian Church, married Emma Elizabeth Ryerson; and Oliver, born December 9, 1819. Ezra Barrett died November 18, 1857; his wife died May 23, 1860.

The subject of our sketch has always lived at the old homestead, having been absent from it not more than six months in all. There are two other farms in the vicinity, which have been owned by the family for about one hun- dred years, having been handed down by in- heritance. Mr. Barrett has been very suc- cessful, his prosperity being attained by close attention to business, and he has added to his original farm of 123 acres, the Smithfield farm of 188 acres, acquired from the Dakin estate. On November 21, 1854, he was mar- ried to his first wife. Catherine Sophia Horn- fager, daughter of Adam Hornfager. Five

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children were born to them: Charles Miller, October 24, 1855, a farmer, married to Jose- phine Devoe; Ezra Lathrop, August 30, 1858, married to Alice N. Clark; Rhoda Louise; Cornelia, who died in 1865; and Albert, the railroad agent at Coleman Station, married Edna Dodd Hazard. The mother of this family died in 1870, and in 1874, Mr. Barrett married Julia Elizabeth Pulver, daughter of Nicholas N. Pulver, and a descendant of one of the old Holland-Dutch families.

Mr. Barrett is well informed on general topics, and takes an intelligent view of the questions of the day. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and he has taken an active part in local affairs, and served two terms as justice of the peace. He and his family have always belonged to the Congrega- tional Church, in which he held the offices of trustee and deacon.

M TILES SCOFIELD. The Scofield fam- ily in this country is descended from Sir Cuthbert Scofield, of Scofield Manor, parish of Rochdale, Lancashire, England, two of his grandsons, Daniel and David Scofield, having come to America in 1639, in the ship " Susan and Ellen," settling in Stamford, Conn. The family history is now in process of completion, and, according to present expectations, will shortly be in print, giving a complete account of the many descendants of these pioneers. The subject of this sketch traces his lineage to Daniel Scofield, through a long list of ancestors.

His great-grandfather, Jacob Scofield, mar- ried Hannah Knapp; his grandfather, Miles Scofield, married Abigail Hustis, and their son, Ephraim M., our subject's father, was born November 1, 1796, in Putnam county, N. Y., south of Fishkill, near Cold Spring. He was a farmer in Fishkill, and, January 8, 1824, married a native of that town, Catherine Phill- ips, who was born September 24, 1802, the daughter of Henry Phillips, a Hollander by descent, and his wife, Sarah Southard, an English lady. Our subject was one of a fam- ily of nine children: Emily, Miles, Joseph, Julia, Mary, Sarah, Catherine, Ephraim and Cordelia. The father departed this life July 21, 1878, and the mother December 29, 1893.

Miles Scofield was born August 3, 1827, in the town of Fishkill, and was educated in the common schools of the village of Fishkill, un- der J. C. Howard and Rev. Mr. Pingree, and

in the Fishkill Academy. He left school in 1850, and February 5, 1852, he sailed front New York for California on the steamer " Pro- metheus," for Greytown, by the Nicaragua route. On the Pacific coast he took the old steamship

"North America, " which was wrecked on the coast of Mexico 100 miles below Acapulco, the vessel being a total loss. The passengers were taken by land to Acapul- co, where they remained five weeks, and then took passage to San Francisco on the steamer "Independence," arriving April 10, 1852. Mr. Scofield with three others started immediately for the gold mines on the Yuba river, where they purchased an interest and went to work with a will. After three years of mining in Yuba and Nevada counties, Mr. Scofield joined a company in constructing the Excelsior canal, to supply the hydraulic works in Rose Bar township, Timbuctoo Diggings. They brought the water first from Deer creek, a distance of sixteen miles, and later extended the canal to the South Yuba river, thirty-one miles away. While in California Mr. Scofield was a strong supporter of the Vigilancemovement in 1856. He left the mines and went down to San Fran- cisco, where he offered himself to the Vigilance committee to be held in reserve for use if necded. He remained in California four years and a half, and then, in the fall of 1858, came back to his native place, where he purchased his present farm of eighty-five acres near Fish- kill village, now known as Fruit Ridge, then Osborn Hill.

In the following year, October 2, 1859, he married Miss Mary Vail, daughter of William R. and Sarah Ann (Bogardus) Vail, highly es- teemed residents of the town of Fishkill. A new home was built in the spring of 1859, and there Mr. and Mrs. Scofield began their wedded life. For some time he devoted his land to general farming and dairying, but gradually put it into use in fruit growing, and at the present time he has fifty acres in fruits of various kinds, and is considered one of the best horticulturists in that region. In 1890 he purchased a residence on Main street, in the village of Fishkill, where he has since resided, although he still owns and cultivates his farm. His wife's father lived with them for three years and died July 1, 1896, in his ninety-first ycar, leaving a large estate. Mr. and Mrs. Scofield have had two children, of whom, Frank died in infancy; the other, Mary Louisa, is the wife of Edgar A. Shook, formerly of

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the town of Red Hook, but now a resident of Fishkill.

Mr. Scofield and his wife are leading mem- bers of the Reformed Church of Fishkill, in which he holds the office of elder. He was appointed to attend the general synod of the Church at Kingston in June, 1896. In poli- tics, Mr. Scofield is a Republican. He was elected assessor in 1877, and he served two terms of three years each. For several years he has held the office. of school trus- tee, and he has been a trustee of the Fish- kill Rural Cemetery Association from its organi- zation to the present time. In business circles he is also prominent, and for many years he has been connected with the management of the Fishkill Savings Institute, and is now its vice-president.

J WESLEY VAN TASSELL, a leading citi- zen of the town of East Fishkill, is noted no less for his ability as a business man and political worker than as an agriculturist, his success in various lines of effort showing unusual grasp of affairs.

His family originated in Holland, but his ancestors settled in Westchester county, N. Y., at an early date, acquiring extensive estates there. Henry Van Tassell, our subject's grand- father, was born there and became a promi- nent agriculturist. He married a Miss Tickly, and reared a family of six children: John L., our subject's father; Isaac, Henry, Jones, Jane and Delia.

John L. Van Tassell, who was born August 25, 1817, and spent his early years upon the old homestead in Westchester county, married Miss Catherine Baker, a lady of English de- scent, whose family had been located in Dutch- ess county for several generations. Her father, Bennajah Baker, was a well-known carpenter and builder. After his marriage Mr. Van Tas- sell settled in Old Fishkill, where he engaged in business as a farmer, miller and speculator in cattle, his shrewd judgment enabling him to make a success of each. Politically he was a Republican. His wife died March 16, 1888, and he did not long survive, passing to his rest February 16, 1895. They had eleven chil- dren: Sarah (deceased), formerly the wife of Alonzo Townsend, a carpenter in Connecticut; J. Wesley, our subject; James, who died at an early age; Wilbur, a resident of Lagrange; Eliza, who has never married; Benjamin, a

farmer in Wappinger town; Isaac, who lives at Fishkill Plains; Phoebe, the wife of John Nolin, a fariner near Matteawan; Kate, who married Charles Dains, of Matteawan; and Eugene and Charles, who are not married.

J. Wesley Van Tassell was born October 12, 1845, and was educated in his native town of Fishkill, attending first the district schools, and later the old academy at Fishkill. On completing his studies he engaged in farming, which he has always followed, spending about three years at his first place, in East Fishkill, and six upon another farm in Fishkill Plains, two in the town of Northeast, and afterward returning to his present farm in East Fishkill. On September 19, 1866, he married Carrie C. Haight, a descendant of the well-known fam- ily of that name. She is a native of Dutchess county, and was the youngest daughter of Henry Haight, a leading agriculturist of East Fishkill. They have had seven children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Cora, October 26, 1867, married C. M. Dol- son, a farmer in the town of Wappinger; Clin- ton W., July 15, 1869, the manager of a com- mission store in New York City; Milton J., June 9, 1874, a cashier in a restaurant, No. 1 305 Broadway, New York City; Howard C., Octo- ber 26, 1875, a cashier in a restaurant, .No. 221 Sixth avenue, New York City; Carrie Mae, September 11, 1879, at home; Orrin, April 28, 1884, died July 24, of the same year; Wesley Augustus, November 5, 1888, at home.

In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Van Tassell carries on a fire-insurance busi- ness in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. He has been an able and energetic public official, and a prominent worker in the Republican party. Ever since he was twenty- one years of age Mr. Van Tassell has been closely identified with the politics of the county. He has been a delegate to every Re- publican county convention since that time, and has cast a vote at every election. He was elected assessor of East Fishkill in 1873, over Abram Adriance, for three years. While on a farm in Middleton, 1877-79, he investigated the iron ore interest of J. V. W. Brinckerhoff, of that town. In ISSo he was elected com- missioner of highways in the town of East Fishkill for three years. In the fall of 1888 he was elected sheriff of Dutchess county for three years, defeating Storm Emans by a ma- jority of 466. He was elected supervisor of the town of East Fishkill in 1894, for two

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years, and in the spring of 1896 he was re- elected for a similar term. He was appointed in 1886 assistant superintendent of the State Stove Works at Sing Sing, and held the posi- tion for two years.

While sheriff of Dutchess Co., Mr. Van Tas- sell managed the two farms of A. A. Brush, and was proprietor of the flour, feed and grist mill at Hopewell. He has held school trusteeship in every town in which he has lived. In the spring of 1897 his name was frequently men- tioned as a candidate for sheriff on the Repub- lican ticket.

P HILIP KLADY, who during the greater portion of his life was an esteemed citi- zen of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born October 22, 1828, at Muehlhoffen, Rhein- Pfaltz, Bavaria, Germany, the son of Jacob and Lucetta (Alexander) Klady. His father was also born in that town, and was a member of one of its old families which came originally from France, and are descendants of Hugu- nots; his mother's family were also descendants from Huguenots. The name Klady originally was Kloedy.

Our subject had one brother, Jacob Klady, and four sisters, Catherine (who married Jacob Strope), Elizabeth (who became Mrs. Philip Riedinger, of Poughkeepsie), Mary (who mar- ried Jacob Barth), and Eva (who married Paul Baur, of Cincinnati, Ohio). The family were Lutherans in their religious views, but became members of the Reformed Dutch Church. The father was a carriage and wagon manu- facturer by occupation.

Philip Klady obtained his education in the common schools of his native land, and then learned the trade of cooper, at which he served an apprenticeship. In 1849 he came to the United States, his destination being Pough- keepsie, where he had two sisters and a brother living. He was soon employed by the Vassars, for whom he worked some years; he also spent a short time in Hudson, N. Y. Mr. Klady followed his trade as journeyman cooper until 1857, when he formed a partnership with Valentine Frank, in the brewing business, un- der the firm name of Frank & Klady, and in this business Mr. Klady was engaged until Oc- tober 1, 1875, when he retired from the firm. During the continuance of this partnership a large business was built up, it becoming one of

the most prosperous and substantial firms in the city.

Mr. Klady was married, in 1857, to Mary- etta, daughter of William Keesler, one of the old and prominent citizens of Poughkeepsie, and of this union one child, George Robert, was born in 1867.

Mr. Klady's second marriage took place in the City of New York, June 10, 1875, when he was united with Miss Lena Alexander, a cultured and refined lady, daughter of George Alexander, whose family are also descendants of Huguenots; no children have been born of this marriage. The death of Mr. Klady oc- curred September 18, 1892, at Lahr, Baden, Germany, whither he had gone for his health, his remains being brought home for burial.

For some years previous to his decease Mr. Klady had not been engaged in active business, but spent his time in retirement at his pleasant home, and in traveling. He was much de- voted to his family and friends, finding his greatest enjoyment in their society. In busi- ness affairs he showed excellent judgment, and a resolute will that overcame all obstacles. Coming to this country a poor young man, he accomplished his purpose of becoming a suc- cessful financier, and during his active life he held an enviable position among his business associates as a man of integrity and upright life. His generosity and benevolence were well known, and his tender heart could never refuse assistance to those in need. Mr. Klady took great interest in all public matters, and was a loyal citizen of his adopted country. He belonged to the Royal Arcanum, and was an attendant of the First Reformed Church. His widow is yet a resident of Poughkeepsie, but spends her winters at Tarpon Springs, Florida.

S TEPHEN C. VAN WYCK, an agricult- urist of energy and ability, belongs to a family that long has been prominently con- nected with the interests of the town of East Fishkill, Dutchess county. His great-grand- father, Cornelius R. Van Wyck, was married March 2, 1775, to Ann Duryea, by whom he had five children: C. R., Annie, Duryea, Stephen D. and Richard C. For his second wife he married Magdalene Montfort, and they also had a family of five children: Stephen D. and Peter M. (twins), Annie, Barbara, and Cor- nelius R.

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Stephen D. Van Wyck, grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Fishkill, March 3, 1795. He was a farmer, and in 1 840 efficiently served as sheriff of Dutchess county. His death occurred June 3, 1879. He was united in marriage with Hetty Purdy, a native of Fishkill Landing, and they located in the town of Fishkill, where they reared their family of six children: Cornelius S., the father of our subject; Francis P., who was a whole- sale dry-goods merchant of Chicago, and was the American minister to Turk's Island at the time of his death; Jane Ann, widow of David Heacock, at one time a glove manufacturer of Gloversville, N. Y .; John P., who died when a young man; Helen M., deceased, unmarried; and Tunis B., a retired merchant of Chicago.

Cornelius S. Van Wyck, the father of our subject, born in Fishkill town, March 9, 1831, grew to manhood on a farm, and October 14, 1846, married Phoebe Van Wyck, who was born in the town of Fishkill, March 9, 1823, the daughter of Richard C. Van Wyck, whose father was Cornelius R. Van Wyck, the pa- ternal great-grandfather of our subject. After their marriage they located upon the farm now occupied by Stephen C., who was the second in their family of four children, the others be- ing Robert M., born May 20, 1848, and now a retired jeweler of Chicago; John Adrian, born May 23, 1852, and died February 16, 1859; and Francis, born October 24, 1854, and at one time a merchant of Fishkill Plains, but now living retired. The father followed farming, but for ten years lived at Poughkeep- sie, while he was educating his sons, during which time he served as alderman and super- visor of the Sixth ward. He was a Republic- an in politics, and both he and his wife were earnest members of the Reformed Dutch Church, while he served as deacon in the Church in Poughkeepsie. She passed away March 7, 1880. Cornelius S. Van Wyck mar- ried, for his second wife, Helen Josephine Bar- den, of Earles, Yates county, in December, 1883. After his marriage he united with the Presby- terian Church in Balona, and was elected elder of the Church, and was elder at the time of his death. He was one of the building committees of the Memorial Church. He died June 18, 1895, and was buried in the family plot at Hopewell, his widow surviving him.

On June 22, 1850, in the town of Fishkill, was born Stephen C. Van Wyck, the subject 34

of this sketch, and in the schools of Pough- keepsie he acquired his education. On leaving school he clerked for some time for a Mr. Van- Wyck. On October 23, 1872, our subject married Miss Libbie Underwood, a native of Poughkeepsie, and a daughter of Capt. Charles Underwood, who was born in Peekskill, N. Y., but has spent most of his life in Poughkeepsie, where he is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Van Wyck began their domestic life upon the farm, comprising 120 acres, which is still their home, and there they have reared their two children: Charles U., born June 3, 1874; and Robert M., born January 16, 1876, the elder of whom is now studying law. In 1879 Mr. Van Wyck erected his present beautiful resi- dence. His political support is unwaveringly given the Republican party, and both himself and wife are faithful members of the Reformed Dutch Church.

J OEL N. BUDD. The subject of this no- tice is certainly entitled to be considered not only one of the enterprising farmers of the town of Hyde Park, Dutchess county, but one of its representative and honored citizens, and a man of more than ordinary ability. He was born in the town of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, August 10, 1819, and is the son of James Budd, also a native of the county, born in the town of Fishkill, December 18, 1781.

Mr. Budd's paternal ancestors were of French descent. The exact date when the first of the name emigrated to America is un- known, but it was early in the Colonial history of the nation. John Budd, the grandfather of our subject, was born about 1730, and was an early settler in Dutchess county. He moved from the town of Fishkill to the town of Wash- ington, and later purchased the farm, in the town of Pleasant Valley, now owned by Mr. Van De Water. He married Miss Mary Mer- ritt, who was born September 19, 1741. The twelve children of John and Mary Budd were as follows: Gilbert, born December 25, 1758, settled in Columbia county, N. Y. ; Joseph, born November 14, 1760, died of yellow fever in New York City October 13, 1795; Mary, born January 24, 1763, married and settled in Canada; John, born December 28, 1766, set- tled in Kentucky, and there married; Abigail. born April 4, 1768, married Mr. Emmans, and settled in the town of Fishkill, Dutchess

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county; Daniel, born June 27, 1770, left home May 11, 1799, and settled near Rochester, N. Y .; Elijah, born October 11, 1772, died January 28, 1796; Merritt, born March 3, 1775, died June 6, 1795; Hannah, born April 22, 1777, died June 6, 1802; Underhill, born October 17, 1779, settled in Greene county, N. Y .; James, father of our subject, born De- cember 18, 1781, remained on the home farm, and Sarah, born February 13, 1783. John Budd, who was regarded as one of the suc- cessful farmers of Dutchess county, died on his farm in Pleasant Valley October 1, 1813; his wife departed this life July 31, 1820.

When about sixteen years old James Budd, the father of Joel N., accompanied his father to the town of Pleasant Valley, and soon after- ward assumed the active management of the farm. His education was mostly obtained at night schools, where he became a good mathe- matician, and by subsequent reading and study he became a well-informed man. His whole life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he added to the original farm until he had over 208 acres of highly cultivated and productive land. He was married November 23, 1805, to Miss Eleanor Schryver, a daughter of John Schryver, and by her he had the following children: Mary, born September 30, 1806, married William Traver; John, born January 26, 1808; Caroline, born February 20, 1812; Gilbert, born September 6, 1813; Hannah, born June 23, 1815, wedded James Rhymph; George, born August 6, 1817; Joel N .; Joseph H., born January 13, 1822; Jane Ann, born November 23, 1825, married Charles N. Cole; Elizabeth, born September 28, 1826, married Oliver Stelle, of New Jersey; and Albert, born August 16, 1830. Aside from casting his bal- lot in support of the Whig party, the father took but little part in political affairs, though he was always willing to give his aid to any- thing for the good of the community, and was held in the highest regard by all.

Joseph H. Budd, a brother of our subject, graduated from Williams College about 1844, and was the leader of his class in mathematics. After studying law in Poughkeepsic, N. Y., he went to Janesville, Wis., where he engaged in practice, and also became largely interested in the manufacture of agricultural implements; but during the panic of 1857 his business was ruined. Going to California, he began life anew, and after winning a case for his em- ployer he became quite prominent, and is now

one of the foremost lawyers and leading Dem- ocrats of the State. He is now judge of the superior court of his district. His son John is a prominent lawyer of California; and James, another son, is the present governor of that State.

Joel N. Budd entered the New Paltz Acad- emy, where he pursued his studies for two win- ters, thus acquiring a good practical education. He remained on the home farm, which, after the death of the father, in 1844, was divided between himself and his brother, Albert. There he resided until 1872 when he sold, and in the spring of 1876 purchased the farm which he now owns, to the cultivation and improve- ment of which he has since devoted his time and attention with good success.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 97

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