Genealogical and family history of northern New York : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume II, Part 50

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847- ed
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Lewis Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 994


USA > New York > Genealogical and family history of northern New York : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume II > Part 50


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.. F.


Jamesl. viervis


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merged with the J. P. Lewis Company. The necessities of the pulp and paper mills com- pelled the purchase of vast areas of timber- land and the several Lewis companies own either the land or timber on about 25,000 acres. The business has been very success- jul, and has fully justified the confidence and wise judgment of Mr. Lewis when in the face of almost a failure, he purchased the interests of his original partners and boldly launched his bark upon the seas of a practically untried venture. The enterprises mentioned do not by any means give the full measure of his activity. He is first vice-president and chairman of the execu- tive committee of the Thousand Island Park Association, which conducts several hotels and stores on the St. Lawrence river. The executive committee has charge of the general business of the association, which was taken in charge by the present board, headed by Mr. Lewis, when the association was practically bankrupt. but now brought to a successful condition of operation and a high standard of excellence in the char- acter of their summer resorts.


There is no inland summer resort in the country that has a higher reputation or larger patronage than "Thousand Island Park" on the St. Lawrence River.


Another enterprise is the Beaver Manu- facturing Company, of Buffalo, New York, a stock company under the management of his son, H. S. Lewis, and William Mc- Glashen. the latter being the resident man- ages This company furnishes an outlet for a part of the Beaver Falls mills product, the raw material being shipped to Buffalo, where it is turned into the finished product.


For four years subsequent to 1890 Mr. Lewis was trustee for a Boston company that had failed in business. He gave one week of each month to the affairs of the ncern, spending one week in Boston and ne in New York, also in Connecticut with the National Pulp Board Association. At the end of four years he had unraveled their fangled affairs, placed them again in suc-


cessful operation and then resigned his trust. This was done at a time when his own personal business would have been considered by most men to have been even more than enough to occupy every waking moment.


Mr. Lewis was largely responsible for the building of the Lowville and Beaver River railroad, in 1904, owing to the large amount of freight shipped over the road by the various companies owned or controlled by him. These companies were the largest original stockholders in the company. Mr. Lewis was president of the company during the two years of its construction, and is still one of the managing directors of the road.


He is a director of the Carthage National Bank, of Carthage. New York, and bears his share of the responsibilities of that in- stitution. In church work he has always been interested and active. His member- ship is held in the Methodist Episcopal church of Beaver Falls, where for over thirty years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. Church benevolent and educational work also claims his interest. He is president of the Northern New York Foundation Fund Association, which has for its object the raising and disbursement, for charitable purposes, of a million dollar fund; vice-president and a member of the executive committee of the Northern New York Development League, and has been for several year- trustee of Cazenovia Seminary, at Cazenovia. New York. He finds social relaxation with the Black River Valley Club. of Watertown, New York.


Politically Mr. Lewis was originally a Democrat. but for many years has acted with the Republican party. He was justice of the peace for twelve years, supervisor of the town of Croghan ene term, and for sev- eral years has been a member of the Black River state water commission, receiving his original appointment from Governor Ros- well P. Flower. On September 27, 1864. he received from Governor Horatio Sey- mour a captain's commission in Company


-


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NORTHERN NEW YORK


I, Twenty-sixth regiment, Thirteenth bri- gade. Fifth division of the New York state national guard, and served with the Fulton company for several years. Believing as he does, that every man is his brother. he has never connected with any secret orders or fraternities.


He married, January 5. 18;o, at North- ville, New York, Julia E. Slocum, born De- cember 23. 1844, at Northville, only daugh- ter of Humphrey and Caroline ( Newton) Slocum. Mr. Slocum was for several terms assessor of his town. He had other chil- dren, John N. and Elias Slocum. The children of James P. and Julia E. ( Slo- cum) Lewis are: 1. Carrie Leonora, born December 3. 18;1, died April 25, 1872. 2. Grace Edna, May 20, 1877. educated at home school, Cazenovia Seminary. Syracuse University, graduating at Wellesley Col- lege, class of 1902. 3. Henry S., August 5, 1882, educated in the home schools, en- tered his father's employ, worked his way through different degrees of promotion, is now general manager of the various Lewis companies and a partner in the Beaver Manufacturing Company, of Buffalo. He married Mary P. Pitcher, of Easthampton, New York, and has a daughter, Mary Fran- ces, born November 5, 1909.


(The Slocum Line).


(I) The first Slocum in America, com- mon ancestor of all the Slocums in America whose lineage dates to the seventeenth cen- tury, was Anthony Slocombe ( Anthony Slocum), of England, who is recorded as one of the original forty-six "first and an- cient" purchasers. A. D. 1637. of the terri- tory of Cohaunet, which was incorporated March 3. 1639. was "Taunton in New Plymouth," now Massachusetts. He mar- ried - - - Harvey.


(If) Giles, son of Anthony and (Harvey) Slocum, was born in England and settled in the town of Portsmouth. Newport county, Rhode Island, in 1638. Giles and his wife Joan were early members


of the society of Friends. and it may be noted that there are many families in the different families that descend from Giles Slocum that are members of that society. The Friends' records of Portsmouth. Rhode Island, show that: "Joan Slocum. the wife of old Giles she dved at Portsmouth the 3Ist 6mo 1679." No record has been found of her maiden name, nor of the time and place of their marriage.


( III) Eleazer, son of Giles and Joan Slo- cum, was born io mo. 25, 1664. He mar- ried Elephel Fitzgerald.


(IV) Eleazer (2). son of Eleazer and Elephel ( Fitzgerald) Slocum, was born in Dartmouth township, Bristol county, Mas- sachusetts. January 20, 1693. He married Deborah Smith.


(V) John, son of Eleazer ( 2) and De- borah ( Smith) Slocum, was born in Dart- mouth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, Au- gust 4. 1717. He married Deborah Almy, of an old pioneer family.


(VI) Eleazer, son of John and Deborah ( Almy) Slocum, was born in Dartmouth. Bristol county, Massachusetts, May 15, 1744. He married Anstance Viall. Eleazer Slocum removed to Dutchess county, New York, thence to Easton, Washington county, and shortly after the year 1800 settled in Fulton county.


(VII) Joseph, son of Eleazer and An- stance ( Viall) Slocum, was born in Dart- mouth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, January 30. 1766. He followed his father's several removes and finally settled in Fulton county. He was a man of large stature and great strength, successful in his under- takings, and was long remembered for his good qualities of mind and heart. He mar- ried Elizabeth Wright.


(VIII ) Humphrey, son of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Wright ) Slocum, was born Oc- tober 20, 1805. He married Caroline New- ton.


(IX) Julia E., daughter of Humphrey and Caroline ( Newton) Slocum, married James P. Lewis. See Lewis.


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NORTHERN NEW YORK


This name is of Scottish HEPBURN origin and does not appear in America previous to the righteenth century. It has borne no incon- siderable part in the settlement of various I calities of the United States, and is still worthily borne by leading citizens in vari- , us walks of life. In northern New York it was early planted and is still found in considerable numbers.


(I) Peter Hepburn, probably a son of Patrick Hepburn, was born at Abbeymilne, Scotland, and was a resident of Stratford, Connecticut, as early as 1736, in which year the town granted him permission to erect a warehouse on the wharf. This would indi- cate that he was interested in shipping, and probably in a mercantile business. He died at Stratford in 1742. His wife. Sarah Hub- bell, of Newtown, Connecticut, was born September 12, 1711, daughter of James and Patience Hubbell, formerly of Stratford and later of New Milford, Connecticut. Chil- dren : Joseph, mentioned below; Peter, born April 28, 1732; George, May 12, 1735; Sarah, January 24. 1737.


( II) Joseph ( 1 ), eldest child of Peter and Sarah (Hubbell) Hepburn, was born Oc- tober 11, 1729, probably in Stratford, and resided in that town, where he married. in November, 1751, Eunice, daughter of Jud- son and Eunice (Lewis) Burton, and granddaughter of Solomon Burton, an early resident of Stratford. Children: Joseph, mentioned below: Silas, born February, 1756; Lewis, October, 1763: Patrick. Feb- ruary, 1766; George. September, 1768. ' (H1) Joseph (2). eldest child of Joseph ( 1) and Eunice ( Burton) Hepburn, was born in July, 1752, in Stratford, and made his home for many years in Hotchkisstown, now Westville, a suburb of New Haven, Connecticut. He removed to Middlebury, Vermont, where he was a farmer. He mar- ried Hannah Lobdell, born June 4. 1755, daughter of John and Ruth ( Sherwood ) Lcbdell. Children : Patrick, born 1775. died 1850, in West Parishville, New York :


Almena, born 1778: Roderick, 1780, died in Madrid, New York, 1871; Betsey, born 1782; Villeroy, 1783. died in Colton, New York, 1847: Marcia, born 1786; Mertilla, 1787; Sudrick, 1789: Hannah, 1792: Jo- seph, born 1794, died 1795: Pliny, born 1796. died in Colton, 1866; Zina E.


(IV) Zina Earl, youngest child of Jo- seph (2) and Hannah ( Lobdell) Hepburn, was born in 1798. in Middlebury, and died in 1874 at Colton, New York. With his, brother Pliny he took up a farm at what was known as Hepburn's Point, on the St. Law- rence river, four miles below the village of Waddington. They were dispossessed in 1832 because they were unable to make pay- ment upon their contract of purchase. At the time of dispossession they had on hand 800 bushels of wheat. 1,200 bushels of oats and 1,6co bushels of corn, together with a good stock of cattle. They were rich in everything a farmer can produce, and yet the obtaining of money was impossible. No railroads were in existence and their only market was Montreal, with which there was no established communication. The only way of getting their grain to Montreal was to load it upon rafts and take them down the river. About two out of three rafts were destroyed by the rapids in the river, and such means of reaching the market were al- most prohibitive. They moved to Colton, New York, purchased from George Parish adjoining farms, and transported with them enough grain to last them for about two years. In addition, the sale of grain en- abled them to hire help. and in exchange for materials to build houses and barns, and clear sufficient ground to obtain a start in life. Zina E. Hepburn was a prominent member and officer in the Universalist church, held many local offices, and was prominent in the administration of the af- fairs of his town. He married, in 1829, Beulah Gray, born 1807. in Madrid, New York, died 1900, in Colton, daughter of Uel Gray. a farmer of Madrid. Children : I. Chloe I., born 1830, died in Colton, 1866.


: 7


1


1


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NORTHERN NEW YORK


2. George W., born 1832. 3. Cordelia .A .. born 1834, married. 1860, Dr. C. B. Fisher. died in Colton, 1873. 1. Edwin B., born 1837. 5. Hawley S .. born 1840, died at Ogdensburg, 1910. 6. Henrietta B., born 1843. 7. Alonzo B., mentioned below. 8. Herbert M., born 1849.


(V) Alonzo Barton, fourth son of Zina E. and Beulah ( Gray ) Hepburn, was born July 24. 1846. in Colton. After attending . the public schools he prepared for college at St. Lawrence Academy. Potsdam, New York, and Falley Seminary, Fulton. New York. In 1867 he matriculated at Middle- bury College, Vermont, from which he was graduated in 18;1 with the degree of .1. B .. and subsequently received the degree of LL. D. After leaving college he became professor of mathematics at St. Lawrence Academy, and was subsequently principal of the Ogdensburg Educational Institute. He was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of law in his native town. He was appointed school commissioner for the second district of St. Lawrence county, and resigned this position to take lis seat in the New York assembly in January, 1875. This position he filed for five consecutive terms. serving on various committees. in- cluding those on railroads. insurance, judi- ciary, and ways and means, beside other im- portant committees. During this service he gave much attention to canals, railroads. in- surance and other commercial and financial interests. As chairman of the insurance committee he introduced and secured the passage of many important measures, in- cluding the law prohibiting the forfeiture of life insurance policies after the payment of three annual faymen's, and establishing a surrender value for policies upon applica- tion. In 1879 he was chairman of the spe- cial railroad investigating committee of the assembly. known as the Hepburn committee. which was institute 1 at the instance of the New York Chamber of Commerce. New York Board of Trade and Transportation. and other commercial bodies of the state.


which led to the act creating the present Board of Railroad Commissioners. In 1880 Mr. Hepburn was appointed by Governor Cornell superintendent of the State Bank- ing Department, and his administration of force was singularized by the improved ser- vice to the public and great credit to him- self. As a direct result of the exceptional ability shown by his three years' service in this position, he was designated as receiver to wind up the affairs of the Continental Life Insurance Company, of New York City. Subsequent to this he was appointed National Bank Examiner for the cities of New York and Brooklyn, and again dem- onstrated his exceptional ability as a finan- cier, especially shown by his practical and decisive action in the notorious Sixth Na- tional and Lenox Hill Bank frauds, secur- ing the conviction of the principals in those frauds, and the retribution of misappropri- ated funds. His appointment by President Harrison as Comptroller of the Currency was a natural and happy recognition of his ability and rectitude, and it was justified by his course in that position. His suggestions and forceful attitude in relation to the is- sties of credit currency by the national bank's and in the avoidance of the use of clearing house and other makeshifts, produced most excellent results. Upon his retirement from the office of comptroller. Mr. Hepburn was made president of the Third National Bank of the city of New York, and continued in that capacity until its consolidation with the National City Bank in 1897, when he be- came vice-president of the reorganized insti- tution. He resigned therefrom to become president of the Chase National Bank, of New York. in 1899. in which position he still continues. Under his management this institution has increased its capital from $1,000.000 to $5.000.000, and has a surplus of $5.000,000, with undivided profits amounting to over $2.500.000. . All of the above increase was from earnings solely. The deposits of the Chase range from $110.000.000 to $125.000.000.


Braslou 76Glory


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NORTHERN NEW YORK


Throughout the world. Mr. Hepburn is recognized as a leading authority on eco- nomical and financial questions, and his opin- ions are frequently sought. His strong char- acter, great mental acumen and invincible will power, combined with thoroughly sys- tematic methods, have made him one of the prominent men of his time. He is the au- thor of "The History of Coinage and Cur- rency," a work requiring much labor, and an invaluable authority in its field; also of "Artificial Waterways and Commercial De- velopment." He is a frequent contributor to periodicals and magazines on economic subjects, and his articles evince a wide range of literary research. In 1906 St. Lawrence University, of Canton, New York, conferred upon him the degree of D. C. L. Mr. Hep- burn's social popularity is co-equal with his standing as a business man, and he is identi- fied with many clubs and associations. He is a director of the Bankers' Trust Company, Columbia Trust Company. Fidelity Trust Company of Newark ( New Jersey). New York Life Insurance Company, First National Bank, First Security Company. Chase Na- tional bank, American Agricultural Chem- ical Company, American Car and Foundry Company, American Cotton Oil Company. Safety Car Heating & Lighting Company. Union Typewriter Company. United Cigar Manufacturers' Company, Sears, Roebuck & Company, of Chicago. He is a member of the following clubs : University, Metropoli- tan, Union League. City, Barnard, Eco- nomic and Academy of Political Science. He is a member of the St. Andrew's. New Eng- land, Pilgrims, Burns, and Germanistic so- cieties. He is a trustee and treasurer of the Children's Aid Society, a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and the New York Chamber of Commerce. He is an enthusiastic sportsman, and a member of the Long Island Country Club, the Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Club, and other sportsmen's associations.


He married ( first ). December 10. 1873. Harriet A. Fisher, of St. Albans, Vermont.


who died December 28. 1881. Mr. Hepburn married ( second ). July 14, 1887, Emily L. Eaton, of Montpelier, Vermont. Children of first marriage: Harold Barton, died at the age of sixteen years, and Charles Fisher, born 1878, residing in Minneapolis, Minne- sota. There are two children of the second marriage. Beulah, born 1890, and Cordelia, 1894.


The surname Knowles KNOWLES is identical with the an- cient English Knollys, which is found spelled in a great variety of ways in both English and American rec- ords.


(I) Thomas Knowles, immigrant ances- tor, was born in England and was in New Haven, Connecticut, as early as 1645. He sailed from New Haven in the new ship "New Haven" for Liverpool in January. 1646, and was lost with that ship. Ilis widow. Elizabeth, of New Haven, married (second ). in 1650. Nicholas Knell. Child- ren of Knowles, born in England : Thomas, Eleazer, mentioned below.


( II) Eleazer, son of Thomas Knowles, was probably born in England. He settled in Stratford. Connecticut, and married Jane Porter. Children : Eleazer and Thomas. Perhaps others.


( III) Elcazer (2), son of Eleazer (1) Knowles, was born in Stratford. Connecti- cut. about 1650. He was one of the origi- nai signers of the compact for the settle- ment of Woodbury, Connecticut, February 16. 16,2, and was one of the first settlers on the Pomperague plantation, as it was originally called. about 1673. He died Jan- uary 3. 1731. His wife, Mary, died Oc- tober 24. 1732, at Woodbury. Children. born at Woodbury: 1. Thomas, December 26, 1683. 2. Isaac, died young. 3. Mary. born March 22. 1686-87. 4. Ann. January 5. 1688-89. 5. Samuel. April 15. 1691. mentioned below. 6. Isaac. July 28. 1696. 7. Elizabeth, March 30. 1607-98.


( IV) Samuel, son of Eleazer (2)


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NORTHERN NEW YORK


Knowles, was born in Woodbury, April 15. 1691. He married ( first ) Huldah Mitchell. who died February 1, 1727 : ( second ) Eliza- beth Brown; (third ) October 28. 1744. Mary Wooster, widow. Child of first wife. born at Woodbury: 1. Eleazer, May 29. 1726, died young. . Children of second wife : 2. Thomas, baptized at Woodbury, July 28. 1728. 3. Huldah, born June, 1730. 4. Ann, August 5. 1732. 5. Mary, November 16, 1734. 6. Eleazer, March 22, 1737, men- tioned below. 7. Betty, baptized November. 1739. 8. Mercy, baptized May 16, 1742. (V) Eleazer (3). son of Samuel Knowles, was born in Woodbury, March 22, 1737, died in 1814. He was commissary in the American army during the revolution, in a Connecticut regiment. In March, 1786, he removed to Letana, afterward Freehold. now Greeneville, Greene county, New York. He married. in 1764, Hannah Mitchell. Chil- dren: 1. El (son, the first syllable of the name Eleazer, so common in the family ), baptized at Woodbury, October 4. 1767. 2. Liberty Washington, mentioned below. 3.


Eazar (son-second syllable of Eleazar ).


(VI) Liberty Washington, son of Ele- azer (3) Knowles, was born in Southbury. formerly Woodbury, Connecticut. November 5, 1774. He went with his father's family to Greeneville. Greene county, New York, and attended the district schools there. He was graduated from Williams College and began the study of law in the office of Dorance Kirtland. at Coxsackie. New York. He was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the state of New York in 1809, and opened his law office June 14, 1809, at Potsdam. He was successful in his profession, but in middle life was obliged by ill health to abandon his profession. He turned to agri- culture and found pleasure and profit in his farming. He was one of the first to ex- periment with Potsdam sandstone as a building material. He also engaged in manufacturing in the village and on the Racquette river. He was a citizen of much enterprise and public spirit, a leader of men


naturally. The village owes to him the splen- did elms that adorn Market and Elm streets. He was a prime mover in organizing vari- ous religious and educational societies. In religion he was a Presbyterian, in politics a Federalist and Whig. He was strongly anti- slavery and outspoken in his views when anti-slavery sentiment was not only unpopu- lar but dangerous to hold. He was an earn- est promoter of public education. For thirty years he was president of the board of trustees of St. Lawrence Academy and among the largest donors in establishing that institution. Whenever additional funds were required by the academy, he was a ready and liberal contributor. The instruc- tors always found in him a kind and wise adviser and the students a friend when in trouble. He aided many young men to get an education. In 18ti he erected the dwelling house on the east side of Market street, now the head of Depot street, and lived there tintil his death. January 7. 1859. He married, in February, 1812, at Rich- mond. Massachusetts. Melinda, daughter of Paul and Rachel ( Stevens ) Raymond. She was exceedingly capable, helpful and wise. an earnest Christian, kindly and charitable, and greatly beloved. Children : 1. Catherine. born November 12, 1813. 2. Henry L., June 23, 1815, mentioned below. 3. Wil- liam L., February 26, 1818: graduate of the University of Vermont; was admitted to the bar and practiced for a time; then turned his attention to the insurance busi- ness. He married ( first) Miranda Part- ridge : ( second ) Sarah Bramen, and has two children, Mary and Catherine. Mary mar- ried George Gardner, of Worcester, Massa- chusetts, and has three children. 4. Augus- tus L., May 11. 1821, died October 19, 1824.


(VII) Henry L., son of Liberty Wash- ington Knowles, was born in Potsdam, June 23. 1815: died March 2, 1892. His early education was received at St. Lawrence Academy. In December. 1831, at the age of fifteen years he entered the University of Vermont, at Burlington, changing after-


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NORTHERN NEW YORK


sard to Union College, from which he graduated in the class of 1836. He immedi- dly began to study law at Potsdam, com- Heting his studies in New York City, and Teing admitted to the bar in 1839. He began to practice his profession in his na- tive town, succeeding his father. He had, irem the first. an excellent and interesting clientage and he rapidly won his way to a place of leadership at the bar. He pursued his study of law diligently in conjunction with his practice and became one of the soundest lawyers of this section of the state. With unusual native ability and enthusiasm for his profession, hie possessed high ideals and conscientiousness. In politics he was originally a Whig, but in its early days he joined the Republican party, accepted its principles and supported its candidates and platforms earnestly. He cast his first vote for President William Henry Harrison and his last for President Benjamin Harrison. He never sought or wished for public hon- ors, yet in 1863 was elected county judge and was on the bench until 1872. He was an able, just and impartial magistrate. From the age of sixteen he was an active member of the Presbyterian church. In 186; he was elected a ruling elder and he continued in that honorable office until his death. He often represented his church in the presby- tery and general assembly and was one of the most prominent and influential Presby- terian laymen in northern New York. He married, in January, 1841, Jane L., born in Vergennes, Vermont, 1817, died in Potsdam. March 7, 1907, daughter of Alexander and Serviah ( Spencer ) Brush. Children: I. William G., died young. 2. Rosa A., born Potsdam, New York, 1844: resides at the homestead of her father, Potsdam. 3. Frances S., born Potsdam, 1846: married C. H. Wheeler, real estate broker in Minne- apolis, Minnesota; child, Walter H. 4. Henry B., born 1849, died February, 1905; married Elizabeth Orr; children : William Henry and Margaret Jane. 5. Winifred G., born 1852: resides on the homestead,




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