USA > New York > Encyclopedia of biography of New York, a life record of men and women whose sterling character and energy and industry have made them preeminent in their own and many other states, Vol. 3 > Part 23
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brother, Augustus C. Nettleton, who had succeeded his two older brothers, and in 1872 Albert E. Nettleton succeeded his. brother, Augustus C., purchasing the business from him. In 1875 he also established a shoe store in Cazenovia, New York, which he conducted until 1881, and from 1881 to 1884 he also con- ducted a shoe store in Lyons, New York. In 1879 he came to Syracuse, and there purchased the boot and shoe factory of James R. Barrett, and later formed a partnership with W. A. Hill, this firm conducting business under the style of A. E. Nettleton & Company. By purchas- ing the interests of his associates, Mr. Nettleton became the sole owner of the concern, making a specialty of the manu- facture of men's shoes, for which his plant earned a well merited reputation. He employed upwards of six hundred hands, and the products of the factory go to all parts of the world, finding a ready sale. Only the best materials are used, in pro- portion to the cost of the finished product, and only the best work done. His aim was to build up a reputation and business on the actual value and merit of his product, and this he accomplished most successfully.
But the manufacture of shoes is not the only enterprise with which Mr. Net- tleton is closely connected. He was elected president of the Fulton Paper Company in November, 1893; is presi- dent of the C. A. Whelan Company ; sec- ond vice-president of the Great Lakes Steamship Company; trustee of Onon- daga County Savings Bank; director of the National Bank of Syracuse; director of the Syracuse Trust Company ; director of the Empire Savings and Loan Associ- ation, elected in April, 1892, and director of the Paragon Plaster Company, becom- ing a member of its board of directors at its organization in 1888. Mr. Nettleton has shown marked ability as a financier,
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his counsel and advice being frequently sought and always followed.
Mr. Nettleton is deeply interested in the public welfare, and uses his utmost influence to better existing conditions in every way that lies in his power, succeed- ing well in his efforts. His life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Un- tiring activity and energy are prominent factors in the success he has achieved, and his example is well worthy of emula- tion by the youth of the present day. He is scrupulously honorable in all his under- takings with mankind, and bears a repu- tation for public and private integrity sec- ond to no man. He is sociable and genial in disposition, and has a wide circle of friends.
OWEN, Charles Sumner, Business Man, Public Official.
It was an immortal saying of a great citizen of the State of New York and a great American that "A public office is a public trust." That sentiment has taken deep root in American politics and there are men in office to-day who so regard public office, as it was so regarded by many before President Cleveland voiced the truth. Such a man is Charles Sumner Owen, who as supervisor, commissioner of public safety of Rochester and sheriff of Monroe county, has shown a devotion to official duty that has won him the un- qualified confidence of the public. With devotion, efficiency has gone hand in hand, and while his term as sheriff has not yet expired, his record as commis- sioner of safety was one marked with such an advance in the efficiency of that department of municipal government that Rochester holds his name in grateful re- membrance. Since 1894 Sheriff Owen has been connected with the business in-
terests of his native city, beginning as office boy, and is now vice-president of the Chapin-Owen Company, dealers in auto supplies, motor engines, and sports- man's goods. He holds high position in the Masonic order and is a most worthy exponent in his daily walk of the best tenets of that ancient institution. His rise to public favor and the success he has attained are not due to a lucky turn of Fortune's wheel, but to his own strong personality, his keen powers of observa- tion, his clear mind, his energy, his cour- age, his unblemished integrity, and his manly life. He is a true son of the Em- pire State, son of Wilbur F. and Mary Ellen (Brady) Owen, both born in New York, his father having spent almost his entire life in Rochester, where for many years he has been associated with the firm of Smith, Beir & Gormley, jobbers of dry goods.
Charles Sumner Owen was born in Rochester, January 7, 1869, second in a family of six children. He attended pub- lic school until fifteen years of age, then became a wage earner, entering the em- ploy of Sargent & Greenleaf, lock manu- facturers, as office boy. Two years later he went with May Brothers in a higher ca- pacity, and about 1887 with Moore & Beir, clothing manufacturers. He rapid- ly advanced in rank with the last named firm, his efficiency and ability being fully recognized and amply rewarded. In 1903 the firm of Moore & Beir became a corpo- ration, Mr. Owen being chosen the first vice-president. He continued an impor- tant factor in the management and suc- cess of the company until 1909, when he became commissioner of public safety for the city of Rochester. Since that time he has devoted himself to the public service of city and county, becoming, however, a member of the Chapin-Owen Company in 1915, serving that company as vice-presi- dent.
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Since becoming a voter Sheriff Owen has been an active Republican. On Feb- ruary I, 1903, he was appointed a member of the board of supervisors of Monroe county, to fill out the unexpired term of Willis K. Gillette. At the next regular election he was the Republican candidate for that office from the Third Ward of the city of Rochester, was elected, and served with such acceptance that in 1905 he was reelected. On January 1, 1907, he was chosen chairman of the board, serv- ing in that position until the end of his term of office. On January 1, 1908, he was appointed commissioner of public safety, a responsible position in which he demonstrated his full power of organiza- tion, his firm grasp of municipal con- ditions, and his ability to cope with weighty problems of administration. He brought system, order and reliability out of inferior conditions and gave to Roches- ter an administration of the Department of Public Safety such as it had never known. In 1914 he was the Republican nominee and the successful contender for the office of sheriff of Monroe county. He assumed the duties of that position, January I, 1915, and his discharge of the obligations of the sheriff's office is on the same high plane of prompt, thorough and conscientious service that has character- ized his official as well as his business career.
In the Masonic order Mr. Owen has ever been active, his official career being highly honorable and an evidence of his standing in the esteem of his brethren. He 'is past master of Valley Lodge, No. 109, Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of Hamilton Chapter, No. 62, Royal Arch Masons; Sir Knight of Mon- roe Commandery, Knights Templar, and a Noble of Damascus Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has been connected with the Masonic Temple Association from its in-
ception, serving as a director, and is an ex-president of the Masonic Club. He is also a member of the Rochester Club.
Sheriff Owen married, April 18, 1882, Delphine A. Cragg, of Rochester, and has a daughter, Dorothy Cragg Owen.
STONE, Charles Luke, L-
Lawyer, Referee in Bankruptcy.
Charles Luke Stone is descended from a very ancient family, whose name ap- pears to have been derived from a place of residence. The early Ardleigh records speak of William Att Stone, which indi- cates that his name arose from his resi- dence, near some important rock, perhaps a land mark. Symond Stone, the earliest known ancestor of this branch of the Stone family, made a will on May 12, 1506, the record of which is on the parish records of Much Bromley, England. The will was proved February 10, 1510; he bequeathed to his son Walter his tene- ment in Ardleigh, and as Ardleigh is in the immediate vicinity of Much Bromley, it would appear that this first Symond was a descendant of the William at the Stone, mentioned above. In a court roll of 1465, in the reign of Edward IV., refer- ence is made to three fields called Stone- land. David Stone, son of Symond Stone, lived also at Much Bromley, County Es- sex, England, early in the sixteenth cen- tury. Symond (2) Stone, son of David Stone, also lived at Much Bromley. His wife's name was Agnes. David (2) Stone, son of Symond (2) or Simon Stone, was born, lived and died at Much Bromley. He had wife Ursula. It has been posi- tively proved that he, and not Rev. Timo- thy Stone, as formerly supposed, was the father of the two American immigrants, Gregory and Simon, next mentioned.
Simon Stone, son of David (2) Stone, was the immigrant ancestor of this branch of the family in America. He was born
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in Much Bromley, County Essex, Eng- land, where he was baptized February 9, 1585-86. Before 1624 he and his wife moved to Boxted, a few miles from Much Bromley, and from Boxted he and his family are believed to have come to this country. On April 15, 1636, the father, aged fifty ; mother, aged thirty-eight ; and five children, embarked from London on the ship "Increase," Robert Lee, master, for New England, after receiving permis- sion from the government to leave Eng- land for America. They settled first in Watertown, Massachusetts, having forty acres of land along the banks of the Charles river, south of the present Mount Auburn Cemetery ; it is believed that a part of his farm is now covered by the cemetery. Simon Stone was admitted a freeman, May 25, 1636, with his brother, Gregory, who emigrated at the same time. He was selectman from 1637 to 1656, and was a deacon of the church for many years. One of the pear trees planted by him is said to have borne fruit for two hundred and fifty years, and was still vigorous in 1899. Mr. Stone became a prominent real estate owner, and ac- cording to tradition built a large old- fashioned house, colonial in style, which served as a home for his descendants for six generations, but was finally destroyed by fire. He married (first) August 5, 1616, Joan or Joana Clark, daughter of William Clark, and their two eldest chil- dren were baptized in Bromley, England, the others being born in Boxted. He married (second) about 1654, Sarah Lumpkin, widow of Richard Lumpkin, of Ipswich, Massachusetts. She also came from Boxted, County Essex, England, and left a will dated March 25, 1663. Simon Stone died in Watertown, Septem- ber 22, 1665. Children by first wife: Frances, baptized January 20, 1619; Mary, October 1, 1621, died young ; Ann, born 1624; Simon, mentioned below ;
Mary, 1632; John, August 6, 1635; Eliza- beth, April 5, 1639, died young. Simon (2) Stone, son of Simon (1) Stone, was born in 1631, in Boxted, England, died February 27, 1708. He and his brother John divided the real estate left by their father, Simon, keeping the homestead for his home. He was deacon of the church, and held various public offices. For sev- eral years he served as selectman, and was town clerk for ten years. From 1678 to 1684, inclusive, he was representative to the General Court, and in 1686-89-90 one of the original proprietors of Groton, Massachusetts. In 1662 he owned an eighteen acre right in Groton, increasing his holding there in 1670 to more than eighty-seven acres, although he may not have lived there. He married Mary Whipple, daughter of Elder John Whip- ple, an early settler of Ipswich, Massa- chusetts. She was born in 1634, died June 2, 1720. Children: Simon, men- tioned below; John, mentioned below; Matthew, born February 16, 1660; Na- thaniel, February 22, 1662, died same year ; Ebenezer, February 27, 1663; Mary, 1665; Nathaniel, 1667; Elizabeth, Octo- ber 9, 1670; David, October 19, 1672; Susanna, November 4, 1675; Jonathan, December 26, 1677. Simon (3) Stone, son of Simon (2) Stone, born September 8, 1656, settled in Groton, Massachusetts, as early as 1694. His son, Simon (4), born about 1690, married Sarah Farns- worth. He lived in Groton and Harvard, Massachusetts. The records of Groton are very imperfect, and do not note all the births there. John Stone, son of Simon (2) Stone, was born July 23, 1658, in Watertown, and settled in Groton. He had a son, James Stone, born there Janu- ary 23, 1701, whose son, James Stone, born in 1724, in Groton, married Deborah Nutting, and was probably the father of Philip Stone, born 1751. Philip Stone, of Groton, was the first permanent settler
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in the town of Bridport, Addison county, Vermont, in 1772. There he married, November 25, 1773, a Miss Ward, of Addison, Vermont. They were the par- ents of Isaac Stone, who lived in Brid- port until 1825, and soon after removed to Mexico, Oswego county, New York. He married, in Vermont, January 20, 1815, Lydia Hurlbut, born February I, 1796, in Sudbury, Vermont, daughter of Samuel and Jerusha (Higgins) Hurlbut, natives respectively of Chatham and Had- dam, Connecticut, descended from Thom- as Hurlbut, who was a soldier under Lion Gardiner in the settlement at Saybrook, Connecticut. Isaac Stone was a farmer and a shoemaker, and died in Mexico, New York, November 4, 1848. He had twelve children, of whom the eldest son and second child was Samuel Hurlbut Stone, born March 6, 1818, in Bridport, Vermont. He was a merchant in Mexico, in association with his brother, Benjamin Sage Stone, and was a prominent citizen of that town, filling various offices. He was executor of the will of Peter Chand- ler, of that town, and died there January 20, 1887. He married, June 12, 1844. Rhoda A. Butterfield, daughter of Luke and Sophronia (Kellogg) Butterfield, of Mexico. Their second son and child is the subject of this sketch.
Charles Luke Stone was born April 2, 1848, in Mexico, where he grew up and received his primary education. He graduated with the degree of A. B. at Hamilton College in 1871, and subse- quently received from this institution the degrees of A. M. and LL. B. He engaged in practice of law at Syracuse, New York, where he has continued to the present time, and has attained a commanding position at the bar. Since 1878 he has been attorney for the Onondaga County Savings Bank, was city counsel from 1887 to 1889, and counsel to the Syracuse Water Board and Department from 1889
to 1906. Since 1898 he has been a referee in bankruptcy, and is a trustee, attorney and director of the Onondaga County Savings Bank, and New Process Raw Hide Company. He is and has been at the head of the law firms of Stone, Gan- non & Petit; Stone & Petit, and now of Stone & Stone. He is a member of the Onondaga County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Sons of the American Revolution, and the college fra- ternity Phi Beta Kappa. He is or has been also associated with several clubs, including the Century, Citizens' and Uni- versity clubs of Syracuse. In religion a Presbyterian, in politics a Republican, he exerts a large influence in political coun- cils.
He married at College Hill, Clinton, New York, 1872, Zilla Buttrick Sackett, daughter of William A. and Charlotte (Buttrick) Sackett. Children : Char- lotte S., MacDougall, Harold and Rhoda Zilla Palmer.
CLARKE, Charles J., Clerk of Supreme Court.
Mr. Clarke is a descendant of Scotch and Irish ancestry, and was born Febru- ary 24, 1864, in the city of New York. His father, Thomas W. Clarke, was a noted secret service man in the employ of the United States government during the Civil War, and was also connected with the navy. He lost his life at the battle of Fort Fisher, January 15, 1865. His mother was a member of the Scott family of Dublin, Ireland, daughter of Thomas Scott, who was queen's counsel for the city of Dublin for about forty-five years, having previously earned credit by gal- lantry in the Spanish War. He was a relative of William Smith O'Brien, the Irish patriot.
Charles J. Clarke received his educa- tion in the common schools, and started
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out in life at the age of fifteen years as a night messenger boy, at a salary of eight dollars a month, working from 8 P. M. until 7 A. M. After two years of this service he became an apprentice to the moulding trade, becoming a skilled iron moulder, and continued in that occu- pation until he attained his majority. At this time he started out on the road, sell- ing iron goods, and thus continued until 1900, when he was appointed to a minor clerkship in the Onondaga county clerk's office. From this humble beginning he won steady promotion, and in time be- came deputy county clerk, in charge of the Court of Records. In 1908 he was advanced to the position of clerk of the Supreme Court, having received the unanimous endorsement of the judiciary of the fifth district of the Supreme Court. When the present Court of Claims was organized by the Republican administra- tion, the chief clerkship was offered to him without any solicitation on his be- half, but was declined. It was his duty to make all the arrangements for the famous Barnes vs. Roosevelt trial, held in Onondaga county in April and May, 1915. Mr. Clarke is a collector of bric-a-brac and old mahogany furniture, and has a large and rare collection of pictures, num- bering nearly two hundred and fifty of all kinds. His spare time is devoted to a sixty-five acre farm, located in Oswego county, New York, on which he has erected all necessary farm buildings by his own hands, thus demonstrating a na- tural mechanical skill, as he never re- ceived any training as a carpenter. It has always been the custom of Onondaga county to give the county clerks two terms, and after the expiration of the present term of his superior, by common consent the succession will fall to Mr. Clarke. He is a member of all the Ameri- can Rite Masonic bodies and also a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason ; mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Maccabees, Knights of Pythias, Citizens' Club, and secretary of the Onon- daga County Men's League for Woman's Suffrage.
He married, June 12, 1889, M. Belle Herrick, a resident of Syracuse, and one of the descendants of the Von Steinbergh family of Albany and Syracuse, noted in the Revolutionary annals of the State. They are the parents of two sons, Charles J., Jr., and Scott H. Clarke.
CLAPP, Edward Everett, Financier, Real Estate Operator.
The surname Clapp or Clap had its origin in the proper or personal name of Osgod Clapa, a Danish noble of the court of King Canute (1007-1036). The site of his country place was known as Clapham, County Surrey. The ancient seat of the family in England is at Salcombe, in Devonshire, where important estates were owned for many centuries by this family. Coat-of-arms of this branch : First and fourth, three battle axes; sec- ond, sable a griffin passant argent ; third, sable an eagle with two heads displayed with a border engrailed argent. A coat- of-arms in common use by the Clapp family in England and America is : Vaire gules and argent a quarter azure charged with the sun or. Crest: A pike naiant proper. Motto: Fais ce que dois advienne que pourra.
The American family is descended from six immigrants, Edward and Cap- tain Roger, sons of William Clapp, and John, Nicholas, Thomas and Ambrose, sons of Nicholas Clapp, of Venn Ottery, Devonshire, England. The fathers, Wil- liam and Nicholas, were brothers. All came to Dorchester, Massachusetts, May 30, 1630, and formed one of the most prominent and influential families of that town. William Clapp, of the ancient
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Devonshire family, lived at Salcombe Regis, Devonshire. Captain Roger Clapp, son of William Clapp, was born in Sal- combe Regis, Devonshire, England, April 6, 1609, and died in Boston, February 2, 1691, whither he had removed in 1686. He sailed from Plymouth on the ship "Mary and John" for New England, March 20, 1630, arriving at Nantasket, May 30, of the same year. He was a proprietor, and was admitted a freeman, May 4, 1634. At the first regular organi- zation of the militia in 1644, he was made lieutenant of the Dorchester company and later was made captain. In August, 1665, he was appointed by the General Court commander of Fort Independence in Boston harbor, which position he held for twenty years, or until he was seventy- seven, when he retired to his residence in Boston, and died there in his eighty- second year. He was also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. He was one of the founders of the Dorchester church and a member for sixty years. He married, November 6, 1633, Johanna, daughter of Thomas Ford, of Dorchester, England. Their son, Preserved Clapp, born November 23, 1643, died September 20, 1720, lived in Dor- chester until he was about twenty years old, when he removed to Northampton and became one of the leading citizens there. He was captain of the militia, ruling elder of the church, and deputy to the General Court. He married Sarah, daughter of Major Benjamin Newberry, of Windsor, Connecticut, and their son, Captain Roger (2) Clapp, was born May 24, 1684, and died January 9, 1762. He lived in Northampton, was a captain in the militia, and representative to the General Court. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Bartlett, born Octo- ber 27, 1687, died August 9, 1767. Their fifth son, Supply Clapp, was born 1721, in Northampton, died October 11, 1784.
He was a soldier in the French and In- dian War, 1755, a sergeant in the regi- ment of Colonel Seth Pomeroy, and was taken prisoner at Lake George, in the capture of which fort that regiment took an important part. His name was on the sick list returned by Thomas Williams, surgeon, November 23, 1755. He was also in the expedition to Crown Point, Captain Elisha Hawley's company. He married (second) December 30, 1756, Sarah Lyman. Their eldest child, Supply (2) Clapp, was born February 22, 1767, and died June 20, 1800. His first wife was Lucretia, daughter of Deacon Mar- tin Clark, of Westhampton. Justice Clapp, eldest child of Supply (2) and Lucretia (Clark) Clapp, was born August 26, 1795, and died October 15, 1849, in Becket, Massachusetts. He married, June 3, 1823, Lucretia Clark, daughter of Julius Clark, fifth descendant from Lieutenant William Clark. She was born January 26, 1802, and died May 14, 1840.
Edward Everett Clapp, son of Justice and Lucretia (Clark) Clapp, was born January 5, 1838, in Holyoke, Massachu- setts. His mother died when he was two years old, and his father when he was eleven. At the age of fifteen he came to Newburg, New York, and attended the Newburg Academy under Professor Reed, living with his brother, George M. In April, 1861, he sailed for China with the purpose of seeing more of the world and securing a suitable business opening. He found his opportunity in the cotton trade in China, where, owing to the Civil War in America, cotton was in demand for export to supply the cotton mills of Eng- land and other countries. In 1875, after spending most of the intervening years abroad, he established an insurance agency in Albany, New York, represent- ing twelve fire insurance companies, one life, and the Fidelity & Casualty Com- pany of New York, and enjoyed from the
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outset an excellent patronage. In 1881 the president of the Fidelity & Casualty Company persuaded him to sell his Al- bany business and devote his entire atten- tion to the New York business of that company. His firm, E. E. Clapp & Com- pany, consists of Mr. E. E. Clapp and Mr. Edward Griffith, under the firm name of E. E. Clapp & Company. They are man- agers of the disability department of the Fidelity & Casualty Company for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and for many years have been first in the amount of business written among the general agents of the entire world. In 1911 this firm paid the Fidelity & Casualty Company over $1,- 450,000. In the special field of disability and accident insurance, Mr. Clapp is rec- ognized as one of the foremost author- ities in this country. He has taken a leading part in the development of this form of insurance from its inception. In politics Mr. Clapp is a Republican of some prominence. In religion he is an Episcopalian. He is a thirty-second de- gree Mason, a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce, the Union League Club, the Down Town Association, the Republican Club, the Peace Society, and the Economic Club of New York, also the Essex County Country Club, the New England Society of Orange, and the So- ciety of Colonial Wars of New Jersey. His home is in East Orange, New Jersey.
Mr. Clapp married, while in the United States, in April, 1864, Eliza Brooks Town- send, born June 29, 1838, daughter of William Townsend, a descendant of Henry Townsend, who in 1661 settled in Oyster Bay, New York; his brother, John Townsend, received in 1645 from Grovernor Keift a patent for the town of Flushing, and Henry remained there with him until 1661. After his marriage Mr. Clapp returned to China, taking his wife with him. Child: Annie Brooks, born
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