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 51
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Potsdam. 6 .- Grace R., born 1854; resides on the homestead, Potsdam. These three women are all workers in the church and Sunday school as well as in temperance so- cieties.
GIFFIN There is considerable evidence that this name was originally Griffin, as brought to America. Several immigrants hearing that name were early in Massachusetts, and it seems likely that this family is an offshoot of that early located in Charlestown, Massachusetts, though the family tradition places its origin in northern Ireland, where the name in its present form is found. The records of Bos- ton show the name in many forms, includ- ing Griffin, Giving. Givin and Given, and numerous marriages are recorded between 1730 and 1750.
( I) According to family tradition. Simon Giffin, born 1711, was a native of north- ern Ireland, and settled early in life at Hali- fax. Nova Scotia, where he died September 0. 1774. He married (first) at Boston. Massachusetts, January 21, 1739, Jennet Lechman. In the record at Boston the pub- lishment of intention makes the names Grif- fn and Leachman. It seems quite probable that Simon Giffin was born and reared near Boston and went to Nova Scotia after his marriage. He seems to have been industri- outs and thrifty, for he was possessed of about 3.500 acres of land in and near Hali- fax at the time of his death. . \ silver but- ton worn on his clothing is still treasured by a descendant. His first wife died De- cember 27, 1752, at the age of thirty-four years, and he married ( second ) a widow. Janet Brown, who died December 8, 1775. Children by first wife : John, George, Eliza- beth and Simon.
(II) Simon (2), youngest son of Simon (I) and Jennet (Lechman ) Giffin, was born July 5. 1740, probably in Halifax, and died November 6, 1820, in Wethersfield. Connecticut, where he was for many years a manufacturer of spinning wheels. He
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was a quartermaster-sergeant in a Wethers- field company. in Colonel Samuel B. Webb's regiment of the revolutionary army, and re- ceived a pension from the government late in life. He married ( first ) March 24. 1761. Abigail, daughter of Elisha and Hannah Higgins. She died November 24. 1768, and he married ( second ). December 12. 1771, Lydia Crane, born May 23, 1741, died De- cember 20, 1813. There were three chil- dren of each marriage. namely: Edward, James, David Dodge, George, Ann and John.
(HI) David Dodge. third son c' Simon (2) and Abigail ( Higgins) Giffin, was born September 8. 1706, in Bennington. Vermont, and resided for a time in Hard- wick, Vermont. In 1800 he settled on land in Oswegatchie township. St. Lawrence coun- ty. New York, where he purchased land on the St. Lawrence river, six miles above Og- densburg. He was a blacksmith by trade. and operated a shop, while clearing and tilling his large farm. He was active and successful and built five miles of the road from Morristown to Ogdensburg. under con- tract. An intimate friend of Nathan Ford, agent of the Ogdens at Ogdensburg, he was associated with the latter in securing and locating settlers, and named one of his sons for him. As captain of the local militia he was active in protecting the river front in the war of 1812. for which he was espe- cially fitted by a thorough knowledge of the territory on both sides of the stream. He died April 2, 1840, in his seventy-fourth year. He married in 1794. Jerusha Thomp- son, born March 29. 1771, died December 13, 1849. Children : 1. Harriet, born March 30, 1794; married James Stewart. a farm- er : resided at Waterloo. New York. 2. Da- vid, February 5. 1796. at Fort Ann: died October 4. 1880. at Brier Hill, St. Law- rence county. 3. George. born February 2. 1798. died May 11. 1870: buried at Mor- ristown. 4. Almeda, born March 4, 1Soo, wife of John F. Davies; lived on a farm on Black lake. in Oswegatchie. 5. Henry B ..
born November 22, 1802, died May, 1871 ; was a farmer. 6. Nathan Ford. mentioned below. 7. William C., born February 27. 1809, died April 21, 1849. 8. Jerusha T., born August 6, 1813: wife of J. J. Mason : died October 18, 1845; buried at De Pey- ster.
(IV) Nathan Ford (1), fourth son of David Dodge and Jerusha (Thompson) Giffin, was born December 6, 1805, in Oswe- gatchie. and died September 12, 1891, at Heuvelton, where he was long an active and prosperous business man and manufacturer. As a young man he spent a short time in Seneca county, New York, where he learned the trade of tanner and currier. after which he operated a tannery in his native town in association with his brother William. They sold out in 1830 and Nathan F. lo- cated in that year at Heuvelton, where he engaged in manufacturing on the Oswe- gatchie river. At one time he conducte 1 a general store, tannery, saw, shingle and flour mills, a shoe and harness shop, and also manufactured pot and pearl ashes. A man of positive character, he was firm in principle and action, never acting without reflection, genial and social by nature, and was respected and esteemed. An active member of the Methodist church, he was among its most liberal supporters, and in public matters acted with the Whig and Re- publican parties. He did not desire pub- lic honors, but served four years as jus- tice of the peace. He married ( first) April 26. 1831, Mary Galloway, who was the mother of his children. He married ( second ) In April, 1864. Mary Southwick, of Keese- ville. Essex county. New York. Children : 1. Mary Elizabeth. born March 11. 1832. married David B. Thurston, and died Janu- ary 5. 1904. at Fremont. Nebraska. 2. Na- than Clark. born October 10, 1833: is a lawyer at Fond du Lac. Wisconsin, where he has served as probate judge. 3. Charles Henry. September 18. 1835. died June 5. 1886, at Heuvelton. 4. Dan Spafford, men- tioned below. 5. David. February 3. 1841.
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resides in Idaho. 6. Edwin Willnot, born September 26, 1844, died July 3. 1860. 7. William Milford. born February 14. 1850: is a teacher in Chicago. 8. Leverett Wright. February 6, 1853: was a practicing physi- cian in Chicago, and died March 25. 1902. in Chicago, and was buried at Neenah, Wis- consin.
(\') Dan Spafford, third son of Nathan Ford and Mary ( Galloway ) Giffin, was born May 19, 1838, in Heuvelton, and died January 30. 1907, in that town. He was educated at Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary and Union College. class of 1861. After teaching school he entered the law office of Morris & Vary in Ogdensburg, and quali- fied himself for practice. being admitted to the bar in 18. 1, upon which he entered upon practice at Heuvelton, where he continued through life. He was a member of Com- pany G. 142d Regiment. New York Vohm- teers, in the civil war, becoming a lieuten- ant and later captain, and was discharged on account of a wound received at the battle of Drury's Bluff. Returning to Heuvelton. he engaged in mercantile and manufactur- ing business and was subsequently active in the practice of law. An earnest Republi- can. he was frequently called to the public service at home and at Albany. He was a member of the school committee of District No. I. served many years as justice of the peace. as school commissioner of St. Law- rence county, and was assistant clerk of the assembly in 18Si and ISSO. \ gifted and scholarly man. i genial and cheerful nature. he was welcomed in every circle in which he move !. and affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Re- public. He married. March 3. 1862. Mary C. Shepard. bern December, 1838. in The- resa, New York, daughter of Rev. Hiram and Amanda ( Butterfield) Shepardl. The father was a Methodist clergyman and pre- siding elder, and resided at various places in northern New York. Mrs. Giffin now resides at Verona. New Jersey. Children : Gertrude Theresa. hecame the wife of Wil-
liam Pitt Rich, of Verona, New Jersey : Clarence Shepard. resides in the far west : Nathan Ford. mentioned below.
(VI) Nathan Ford (2), youngest child of Dan S. and Mary C. ( Shepard ) Giftin. was born August 29. 1875, in Heuvelton. where he attended the public schools in youth. He was graduated from St. Law- rence University at Canton in 1895, and immediately entered the New York Law School, where he received his degree in 1897. He entered upon practice at once in New York City, where he has since been established. His office is No. 31 Nassau street. With home in Manhattan, lie is a member of the New York County Lawyers Association, the City Club. Montclair Golf Club, and the St. Lawrence County Society in New York. While a Republican in po- litical principle. he is not active in political movements. Mr. Giffin is unmarried.
Joseph Burkhart. a
BURKHART well-known mill owner of Greig. Lewis coun- ty. New York. is a descendant of a high; respected family of Baden, Germany.
( I. Martin Burkhart was in active ser- vice during the war in Russia in 1812. He married Elizabeth Auer.
(II ) Ludwig, son of Martin and Eliza- beth (Auer ) Burkhart, was born at Ofter- shein. Baden, Germany. November 1. 18!". He was educated in the common school. and followed the occupation of farming dur- ing the active years of his life. He mar- ried. 1843. Anna Peistel. and they had chil- dren : Elizabeth, married Philip Warns. and died in 1900: Joseph, see forward: Peter. married Minnie Case: Margaret, married Cornelius Link : Mary, married Jacob Kar- nel: Katherine. married William Rink, and was drowned in Morse river in 1888: Anna. married Jacob Kline, and resides at Oli Forge. New York: Eva, married Benne? Weaver, and died in t899: Sophia, married Adam Thenis, and resides at Utica. Nen York.
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(III) Joseph, second child and eldest son of Ludwig and Anna ( Peistel ) Burkhart, was born at Oftershein, Baden, Germany. June 2, 1848. His school education was acquired in the public schools of his native town, and he then served an apprenticeship of three years to learn the miller's trade. Having thoroughly mastered all the details of this calling he followed it for a time in Germany, and then emigrated to America in April, 1883. He arrived at New York City, and from there went directly to Lewis county, in which he has since that time lived. He found employment in Koster's pulp mill, in Lyonsdale, but at the end of one year purchased a farm in that town and devoted his time and attention to its cultivation. He pursued this occupation for some years, and in 1839 disposed of his farm, bought the milling property in the village of Greig, and removed there with his family. During the spring freshets of 1905, which were un- usually severe, the ice became jammed on March 29, causing the dam to burst, and the mill was carried away bodily. Of two boys who were playing in the mill at the time, one was killed and the other barely escaped with his life. Mrs. Burkhart. who was in the mill at the time, felt the trembling of the floors and had just stepped beyond the doorway when everything was carried away by the flood. The destruction of the mill was a severe blow to Mr. Burkhart, as the money loss was total, but with un- daunted courage he erected a new and bet- ter mill on the site of the old building, and is now engaged in a prosperous business. Mr. Burkhart is one of the substantial men of the township, and has the well-earned re- spect and confidence of all who have had business dealings with him. He gives his political support to the Democratic party, and he and his family are members of the Catholic church.
Mr. Burkhart married. September 14, 1871, Elizabeth Miller, born in Baden, Ger- many. November 7. 1851. daughter of Jo- seph and Margaret ( Stoll ) Miller, the form-
er born in 1819, and died in 1886, the latter born in 1811, and died in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart have had children: I. Jo- seph, born in Germany, November 7, 1872; is a miller, and lives at Port Leyden : mar- ried Hannah Ripp, and has children : Mary, Verrena, Leo and Sylvester. 2. Peter, born in Germany, February 19, 1874. 3. Philip. born in Germany, March 14, 1876; is owner and manager of the Opera House at Lyons Falls; married (first) Louise Phillips, and had one child, Harold; married ( second) Frances Donnelly, of Constableville, New York, and has children : Margaret and Flor- ence. 4. Elizabeth, born in Germany, April 14. 1882: married Frank Van Namee, and resides in Lowville, New York. 5. Lena, born at Lyonsdale, New York, March 28. 1885 : married Jacob Shaver, and resides at Old Forge, New York. 6. Herman, born at Lyonsdale, January 29, 1892. 7. Aloysius, born at Lyonsdale, October 1;, 1895. The two last named are at home with their parents.
William Collinson was COLLINSON born in Essex county, England. and came, when a young man, early in the nineteenth century, to Canada. He made his home in Leeds county, Ontario, and followed farm- ing for his occupation. In politics he was a Conservative, and in religion a member of the Church of England. He married, in Scotland, Christina Wallace, of the ancient and distinguished Wallace family of Scot- land. Children: John, William, Thomas. David, Elisha C. (mentioned below), Hi- ram, Sarah, Mary and Hannah.
(II) Elisha C., son of William Collin- son, was born in Leeds county, Ontario, Canada, January 16, 1844. He was edu- cated there and has followed farming for his occupation. He married, June 20, 1881, at St. George's Cathedral, Kingston, On- tario, Mary Ann Chapman, born November 10. 1864. at Leeds, daughter of William Chapman, a prominent politician and lum-
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berman of Collins Bay, Ontario. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. In poli- tics he is a staunch Conservative. Children : Dr. Thomas Jefferson, mentioned below ; Myrtle C., born August 19. 1886. married Ray W. Merrill, attorney-at-law, Carthage, Jefferson county, New York.
(III) Dr. Thomas Jefferson Collinson, son of Elisha C. Collinson. was born in Leeds county, Ontario. April 12, 1883, and attended the public schools of his native town, and the high school at Athens. On- tario, where he was graduated at the age of fifteen years. In 1903 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Queens University. Kingston. Ontario, and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in the class of Igc8. He was then on the sti ff of the Hamet Hospital at Erie, Penn- sylvania, and of the hospital at Randall's Island, New York City, and at Dr. Hills' Maternity Clinic, 216 East 76th street, New York City. He became a member of the staff of the New York State Hospital at U'tica, New York, March 9. 1909, and con- tinued there until December 1. 1909, when he began to practice in the village of Ly- ons Falls, Lewis county. New York. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been a member of Rideau Lodge of Free Masons since April 12, 1904. He married, at Kingston, Ontario, March 30, 1910. Alice M. Sands, born in Kingston. February 24, 1885, daughter of Captain J. C. Sands, for- merly of the Canadian Royal Field Artil- lery.
HOSKINS The first Hoskins of rec- ord in Lewis county. New York, is Cyrus Hoskins, a farmer of Lewis county, town of Turin. He . married Jemima Post. Children : George H., Samuel MI., see forward, and Joseph.
(II) Samuel M., son of Cyrus and Je- mima ( Post) Hoskins, was born in Turin, Lewis county, New York. May 4. 1830,
died September 8. 1894. He married Ar- menia Schwartz, born in Essex county, New York, January 31, 1833. daughter of Henry and Belinda ( Jenks ) Schwartz, and grand- daughter of Captain Jenks, who was captain of a company of United States soldiers sta- tioned at Sacketts Harbor during the war of 1812. Henry Schwartz was, on the pater- nal side, descended from one of two broth- ers, who came from Germany. These brothers were sons of a German nobleman. but were disinherited on account of their leaving Germany without serving in the army. Henry Schwartz's grandfather, on his mother's side, was Commodore Pierre Dupont. commander of part of French fleet that aided the United States during revolu- tion. Children of Samuel and Armenia Hoskins: 1. Cyrus H., born March 25. 1854. died 1859. 2. Ida, October 3, 1859: married James Howie. 3. Frank, see for- ward. 4. George H .. April 19, 1866. 5. Edgar C .. October 30, 1869. 6. A. Mi- nerva, September 6. 1873. died April 15. 1882.
( III) Frank, son of Samuel M. and Ar- menia ( Schwartz) Hoskins, was born in Greig, Lewis county, New York, March 30, 1863. He obtained his education in the public schools, and for five years after leav- ing school was engaged in farming. He then became interested in the building trades, and soon was contracting and super- intending the erection of buildings. public and private. Many of the large mills in the county, and numerous private residences. have been erected under his supervision. He was in charge of the construction of the paper mills of Moyer & Pratt, Moyer & Williams. Moyer & Palen, Moyer & Son. Mover Bros., and a large portion of the business blocks of Lyons Falls and vicinity. His building operations have been extended to adjoining towns and counties, and his reputation as contractor is more than local. In connection with his building and contract- ing business, he owns and operates a saw and planing mill at Lyons Falls, New York.
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He is well known and highly regarded in his community. He is a Republican in politics. For three years he was president of village corporation of Lyons Falls, and a member of the board ci water commissioners. January 1, 1908, he was elected to the Lewis county board of super- visors, representing the town of West Tu- rin, serving until January 1, 1910. He is a member of Lyons Falls. Tent. 1910. Knights of the Maccabees. He married, at Port Leyden, New York. June 3. 1885, Rose L., daughter of John and Eloise ( Manigold) Chaufty.
His wife was descended from French families of considerable distinction. Her father. John Chaufty, was a native of France : came to the United States, andl set- tled in Jefferson county, New York. at atout the time Joseph Bonaparte acquired his lands in that section of New York. Eloise Manigold was the daughter of Peter and Margaret ( Rasair . Man gold. a soldier of the great Napoleon, and at one time his secretary. He received this appointment dir- ing one of Napoleon's earlier Italian cam- paigns, through the correct . lving of a dif- ficult mathematical problem in competition with others wh, attempted i in response to a call from Napoleon for volunteers to at- tempt the solution. His readiness and ability pleased his chief, and he was reward- ed with the position of secretary. Mar- garet Rasair, was danghter i Eugene Ra- sair and Margaret Mouen, a French n ble- woman. Monsieur Rasair came to this e an- try, and is buried at Frans' Mills. New York. Children of Frank and Rose L. (Chaufty ) Hoskins: 1. Marien E .. born December 27, 1886. 2. Eva L ... June 4. 1889: married. December 24. 190S. Guy F. Har- ris, and has Frances, Fern November 12. 1909. 3. Frank L .. April q. 1802: entered the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. New York. March 1. 19to. as cadet. Carrie A., July 23. 1804. 5 Fred M., May 8. 1807. 6. Florence, Juste 13. 1900. 1 Clarence C., September 11, 1902.
The surname Ames is identical AMES with Eames, and various immi- grants came to New England among the pioneers, and their descendants have been numerous throughout the coun- try. Branches of the Massachusetts family settled among the first in Vermont, and a dozen or more of the Ames family served in the revolution from Verment. In 1790 William, Elijah, Barney, Barzillai and Sam- uel Ames were heads of families in Shore- ham, Vermont.
(I) Jeremiah Ames, of this Shoreham family, was born in Vermont. July 16, 1771, died February 21, 1844, at Morristown, New York. He settled in Herkimer county and afterward removed, in 1825, to Black Lake, Morristown, New York. He followed farming throughout his active life. He mar- ried Sally Platt. born September. 1;28, died March 18. 1841. Children: 1. Debo- rah, born November 18. 1798. died Sep- tember 2, 1879. 2. Nancy. September 16. 1800, died February 7. 1888. 3. Sally, Sep- tember 28. 1803, died August 19. 1858. 4. Charlotte, January 27. 18co, died September 5. 1869. 5. Joseph P .. February 19. ISCS, died August 9. 1886. 6. Jeremiah, April 14, 1810, mentioned below. 7. Asa. May 2, 1812, died September 27. 1848. 8. Wil- liam K., November 10, 1814. died .April 26, 1815.
(Il) Jeremiah (2), son of Jeremiah (I) Ames, was born in Vermont. April 14, 1810. died in Morristown, September 14. 1879. He came with his parents to New York when a boy, and received a common school education in the schools of Herkimer coun- ty. Afterward he went to Morristown with the family and lived there the remainder of his life. When a young man. he taught school for a time and was always interested in educational affairs, though his own edu- cation was largely self-acquired. He fol- lowed farming through his active life and was also justice of the peace and attorney- at-law. In politics he was a Democrat; in religion a Presbyterian. He married (first),
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Drawto W. Owned
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1:1 1830, Lucy Haggart, born May 21, 1813, died August 6, 1855. He married ( sec- . nd), December 18. 1856, Caroline, born :: Potsdam, 1827. daughter of Francis and Sally ( Aikins ) Whitney. She is now liv- og in Morristown with her son. Her grand- father. Nathaniel Aikins, was born in Scot- 'and, came to this country and served in the revolutionary war. Children of first wife: 1. Thomas, born May 26, 1836, died 1839. 2. Hannah, August 15, 1838. 3. Sally, January 18, 1840, died December 2, . and at the Clarkson School of Technology at Potsdam.
1868. 4. Catherine, March 29, 1843. died September 21, 1905. 5. Twin daughter, died June 6, 18446. 6. Twin girl, died June 6, 1846. 7. Ann Elizabeth, born April 2, 1848, died September 7, 1857. 8. Jeremiah Gilbert, October 25. 1850. Child of second wife : 9. Franklin Whitney, mentioned be- low.
(III ) Franklin Whitney, son of Jere- miah (2) Ames, was born in Morristown, New York, July 24. 1804. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native a wn and in the Morristown high school. He was for several years a clerk in a gen- eral store, but he has devoted himself to ag- riculture, and is one of the most prominent farmers of this section. He has made a spe- cialty of breeding thoroughbred Holstein cattle and fine horses. He is interested in the French Coach Horse Company, of Ham- mond and Morristown, New York. In poli- ties he is a Democrat : he has served on the town committee of his party as an inspector i election, has served as president of board ยท i education of Morristown high school, and was appointed deputy collector of customs at Morristown in May, 1803. an office he till holds. He is vice-president and direc- tor of the Frontier National Bank of Mor- ristown; trustee of the St. Lawrence County Savings Bank of Ogdensburg: member of Black Lake Lodge. No. 319. Free Masons ; St. Lawrence Lodge. Knights of Pythias; Independent Lodge of Foresters. He is an "Ider of the Presbyterian church. He mar- red, in 1885, Vira Eysaman, of Morris-
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town, daughter of Edward and Eliza ( Me- Coryrick ) Russell, but when a small child went to live with James Eysaman, adopting that name. Children: 1. Jeremiah Leland, born at Morristown, August 20, 1886; was educated in the public schools, at the Clark- son School at Potsdam, and at St. Lawrence University : is a civil engineer by profession. with his office at Albany, New York. 2. Leslie Russell, born at Morristown, Febru -- ary 13, 1890: educated in the public schools
The surname Crane has an CRANE ancient English history. dating back to the Hundred Rolls of the thirteenth century, and was probably a Norman local name earlier. Its similarity to the name of a bird has caused some of the families to adopt the crane as a sym- bol on their coats-of-arms, and indeed some branches of the Crane family may have adopted the emblem before taking the surname. The coat-of-arms of the Crane family of Suffolk, England, to which some, if not all, the American families belong, is : Argent a fesse between three crosses cross- let fitchee gules. Crest : A crane proper. There have been many distinguishd Enig- lishmen of this name from the earliest use of the surname. There were a number of pioneers of this family in Massachusetts and Connecticut before 1650.
( I) Henry Crane, born about 1635, was an inhabitant of Wethersfield, Connecticut, engaged in business with his brother Ben- jamin as a farmer, and tanner and currier of leather. He was there as early as 1655. Scon after 1658 he probably removed to Guilford, where in 1660 he is recorded as a planter. In October. 1663, he was one of twelve planters who located in Killing- worth as a settler, and his home was on the east side of the town, near the line. He was the first schoolmaster in Killingworth, and was admitted a freeman September 24. 1669: was deputy to the general court 1675,
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