USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 14
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John D. Lowe, eldest son of John and Eunice (Phelps) Lowe, was reared on his father's farm, and his educational advantages were obtained in the common schools of the neighborhood, at a private school in Brown- ville, New York, and at Fairfield Academy, Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York. For a number of years following his graduation from the latter-named institution he was engaged as a school teacher in the sec- tion of the state familiar to him from childhood to manhood, after which he assisted his father in the labor of the farm until the death of the lat- ter in the year 1876. He then assumed the management of the estate for his mother, and since her decease has continued his operations on the farm, aided by his brother, Abel F. Lowe. In addition to general farm- ing they breed and sell a large number of stock horses and other kinds of cattle. Mr. Lowe served as assessor of the township for nine consec- utive years, during the greater part of which time he was chairman of the board, and he has also been called upon to serve as delegate to a number of county conventions. He is an active and loyal Republican in politics, a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons of De- pauville, and also of the Grange. He is a director of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, was vice-president one year, and also served as president one year.
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DAVID A. VAN CAMP. deceased, for many years a highly re- spected and eminently successful business man of Perch River, New York, was born in the town of Clayton, New York, September 22, 1844, a son of Cornelius, born in 1818, died in May, 1859, and Mercy ( Spicer) Van Camp, born April 10, 1819. died October 13, 1896. A full account of the Spicer genealogy is found elsewhere in this work. Cornelius Van Camp, who was a farmer and extensive dealer in cattle, was a son of Henry D. Van Camp, who was born in Montgomery county, New York, a farmer by occupation, and died at Stone Mills.
David A. Van Camp received his education in the common schools of Clayton and at the Lafarge Institute. During the Civil war he en- listed in Company H, Tenth Regiment New York Heavy Artillery, par- ticipated in a number of battles, was in front of Petersburg, and served until the close of hostilities. This regiment was composed of the First, Second and Fourth Battalions of the Black River Artillery, raised in the counties of Lewis and Jefferson (Eighteenth Senate District). They were mustered into the service of the United States from September 1I to October 27, 1862, to serve three years. The original members were mustered out of service June 23, 1865, and the recruits consolidated into thrce companies and transferred to the Sixth New York Artillery, June 27, 1865.
David A. Van Camp married, March 19, 1868, Sylvia A. Low, born December 31, 1846, in Clayton, New York, a daughter of John and Eunice (Phelps) Low, a full account of whose ancestry will be found in the sketches preceding this. Mrs. Van Camp received an excellent edu- cation in the common schools of Clayton and Brownville, and at a pri- vate school in Lafargeville conducted by George Strough. Four chil- dren were the issue of this union, namely: 1. Charles H., born January 10, 1869, attended the common schools of Perch River and two terms at Antwerp Seminary, and now resides with his widowed mother at Perch River. 2. Pitt De Elton, born April 13, 1872, educated in the common schools of Perch River and Fort Plain Military School, which he attended two terms, and is now located at Bisbee, North Dakota, where he is employed as a telegraph operator on the Great Northern Rail- road. 3. Carrie Grace, born July 6, 1877, died August 17, 1888; she attended the common schools, and was an exceedingly bright, intelligent and interesting child. 4. Roy David, born February 1, 1886, attended the common schools of Brownville, the Dexter high school two years, and is now a student at Park College, Missouri, pursuing a practical
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course. David A. Van Camp, father of these children, died October 17, I90I.
Taylor E. Calkins, deceased, brother-in-law of Mrs. David A. Van Camp, was born near Perch River, New York, April 21, 1849, a son of Ervin Calkins, grandson of Seth Calkins, and great-grandson of Asa- hel Calkins, a native of New York state, died in Oswego county, and whose wife, Lena (Savins) Calkins, bore him twelve children. Seth Calkins married Nancy Holmes, who bore him twelve children. Ervin Calkins was born in Canada, from whence he came to Oswego county, New York, then removed to Jefferson county, same state, near the pres- ent home of the widow of Taylor E. Calkins, where he conducted farm- ing operations up to the time of his decease. He married (first) Abigail Wright, who bore him two children, Ann Eliza and Jane, and (second) Mary McCombs, of McCombs's Settlement, daughter of John and Mag- dalena (Frank) McCombs, and their children were: Harriet, George, who served as chaplain in the Civil war; Henry, who served as corporal in the Civil war and died at Antioch Church, Virginia; Hannah, Mary, Walter, a resident of Dexter, who served in the Civil war, in Company G, Tenth Regiment New York Heavy Artillery, married Christina E. Lowe, daughter of Jacob and Betsey (Hancock) Lowe, of Brownville, and their children are: George E., Eva M., and Arthur G .; Rev. John, a resident of Ox Bow; Edwin, a resident of Watertown ; and Taylor E. The surviving members of this family are Walter, John, Mrs. C. Phelps and Edwin. The mother of these children died at the advanced age of ninety years.
Taylor E. Calkins was reared in Perch River, attended its common schools, a private school in the town of Adams, and Belleville Institute. He followed farming as an occupation, and thereby gained a comfort- able livelihood and a competency. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was steward for many years, and was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. On February 2, 1875, he mar- ried Clara Van Camp, the only surviving member of a familiy of six children born to Cornelius and Mercy (Spicer) Van Camp, whose deaths occurred, respectively, April, 1859, and April 13, 1896. Cornelius Van Camp was a farmer, and also bought cattle to quite an extent for many years. He was a son of Henry D. Van Camp, born in Montgomery county, who later located near where Mrs. Taylor E. Calkins now re- sides and purchased a large tract of land, which he cultivated for a num- ber of years. He finally removed to Stone Mills, where his death oc-
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curred Taylor F. Calkins died in the house now occupied by his widow, in Perch River, November 27, 1903.
BYRON J. STROUGII, deceased. Energy, perseverance, enter- prise and high moral character, were the chief characteristics in the ca- reer of Byron J. Strough during a long and useful career. He was a worthy representative of an honorable German ancestry. The founder of his family in America was his great-grandfather, Baltus Strough, who was born in the duchy of Hesse Cassel, Germany, whence he emi- grated to America during the period of the Revolutionary war, locating in Manheim, Herkimer county, New York, where he was among the pioneer settlers and farmers. His wife was Catherine Ritter, who was born in Germany in 1750, and they were the parents of ten children. The father died at the age of fifty-one years, his wife surviving him until 1827, when she died at Little Falls, New York, at the age of seventy- seven years.
Daniel Strough, the grandfather of Byron J. Strough, was born in Manheim, Herkimer county, New York, January 15. 1795. His early years were passed upon a farm about four miles from Salisbury, New York. His education was limited to that afforded by the humble dis- trict schools of his times. In early life he learned the trade of tanner and shoemaker, which occupations he followed in connection with farm- ing until he had attained his sixty-fifth year. In 1820 he removed to Jefferson county, New York, locating in the town of Theresa, where he remained until 1854, thence removing to Orleans, where he lived until 1876, in which year he took up his residence with his son, George H. Strough, in Clayton, New York, and where he died, August 19, 1876. in his eighty-second year. He was formerly a Democrat, but upon the organization of the Republican party he joined that party and acted with it during the remainder of his life. He married Anna Wiswell, who was born in Manheim. New York, November 15, 1797, and died in Clayton at the age of eighty-one years. She was a daughter of Sam- uel Wiswell, who was born in England, a son of Benjamin Wiswell, who came to America in 1772 and located in the state of Vermont. Sam- uel Wiswell was one of four brothers, two of whom were killed by the Indians while returning to Vermont from Montreal. He was a member of the state militia, and served as aide to General Stark. Later he set- tled in Manheim, New York, where he died of yellow fever in 1812. He had been married twice, his first wife having been Sally Hopkins, and
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his second wife Nancy Boyer, who was the great-grandmother of Byron J. Strough.
The children born to Daniel and Anna ( Wiswell) Strough were as follows : Samuel W .. of whom further hereinafter; Lucinda, died in early childhood : Mary K., who became the wife of Daniel Eddy and died at the age of twenty-three; Joseph, who became a Presbyterian minister and died in Steuben county, New York, in 1854; Nancy Ann, who he- came the wife of James Ellwood and resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan : Daniel, who resided near Vicksburg but now lives near Comstock, Mich- igan : Eli P., who died in 1858; Cornelia, who died in infancy ; Jane, who also died in infancy ; and George H., who is a resident of Clayton. New York.
Samuel W. Strough, eldest child in the family last named, was born near Little Falls, in Herkimer county, New York, March 21, 1817. In 1820, when he was three years old, his parents removed to Theresa, where he attended the common schools, and by close attention to his studies acquired a practical education of such scope that for fifteen years he acquitted himself most creditably as a school teacher in various towns in the northern part of the county. He also studied law, received his license as a practitioner, and while managing a fine farm of two hun- dred and twelve acres performed a large amount of legal work, drawing up wills, contracts and agreements and acting as executor and administra- tor for many valuable estates. He was a man of broad intelligence and ex- cellent business ability, and he was chosen by his fellow townsmen to fill various offices of honor and trust, among them those of justice of the peace, town superintendent, etc. He served as president of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, in which he always took and active and in- telligent interest and he was largely instrumental in procuring the building of the railroad from Theresa to Clayton. He died, universally regretted, beloved by all who knew him, June 25, 1876, having come to his death by a bolt of lightning. By his marriage with Emeline Tallman he became the father of four children: I. Byron J., to be further written of. 2. Elnora L., deceased, who became the wife of W. A. Snyder. 3. Lucien S., a resident of Lafargeville. 4. Perrin A., a resident of Lafargeville. Mrs. Strough was born in Schuyler, New York, October 17, 1821, and long survived her husband, dying June 21. 1903, at the age of eighty- two years. She was a daughter of Abraham and Phila (Eddy) Tall- man. Her father was a son of William and Rhoda (Aikin) Tallman, and was a pioneer settler of Orleans, New York, a farmer by occupation,
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and died in November, 1884, at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife, Phila Eddy, born in Orleans, lived to the same age as did her husband. They were the parents of three children, one of whom is living at the present time-Louisa, wife of Eugene Howland, of Watertown, New York.
Byron J. Strough, eldest child of Samuel W. and Emeline (Tall- man) Strough, was born in Theresa, New York, February 6, 1844. He secured an excellent education, after passing through the common schools entering Theresa Academy, from which he was graduated in 1859. In November of the same year, at the early age of fifteen, he accepted a position as school teacher, and he developed such genuine ability for this calling that he followed it for a period of thirteen years, meantime (in 1866) taking the examination for which he received a state teacher's certificate, an honor rarely accorded at that time. He taught successfully in the towns of Clayton, Depauville, Lafargeville and Theresa, and would undoubtedly have distinguished himself in edu- cational circles had he cared to continue in the work. In 1872, however. he entered into partnership with his brother, Lucien S. Strough, and they purchased the drug and grocery business then conducted by Clark B. Bushnell, in the Bushnell Block, Lafargeville, and which they suc- cessfully conducted until 1886, when they disposed of it. Early in the '70's the brothers inaugurated a hay and grain buying and shipping busi- ness, which they made the most extensive of its kind in Jefferson county. Byron J. Strough was actively identified with this enterprise until his death, since which time it has been continued by his brother and his widow. Mr. Strough made an honorable record and a high reputation as a business man among the hundreds of people with whom the firm had dealings.
Byron J. Strough labored conscientiously and zealously in behalf of the betterment of the community, advancing its material and moral in- terests by all means in his power. His ability and worth is best dis- cerned in the fact that, while the town of Orleans is normally Repub- lican by what is considered a safe majority, and Mr. Strough was a stanch Democrat, the people regarded his political affiliations as of such slight consequence when compared with his splendid character and great capability, that they elected him to membership in the board of super- visors at sixteen consecutive annual elections. When he was first elected supervisor his town was heavily in debt and involved in litigation grow- ing out of the building of the railroad, but before he retired this was
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ended and the debt wiped out. He was regarded as the ablest man on the board of supervisors during his term of service. In that body he was never known to champion an unjust measure, and was a vigorous op- ponent of anything that was not for the best interests of the county. He was a stockholder in the Exchange Bank of Clayton, and in the Jef- ferson County National Bank, of which he was also a director. He held high rank in the Masonic fraternity throughout the state, in which he held various of the most important positions. February 28, 1866, he became affiliated with Theresa Lodge No. 174, F. and A. M., and in 1868 was demitted to Lafargeville Lodge, in which he was the follow- ing year elected master, a position to which he was re-elected for twenty consecutive years, and he was for six years district deputy grand master of the sixteenth Masonic district. He was also a member of Theresa Chapter, R. A. M., Watertown Commandery, K. T., and he held member- ship in all the Scottish rite bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, and was a noble in Media Temple, Mystic Shrine. He was for eleven years trustee of the Hall and Asylum Fund of the Masonic order in the state of New York, also served as its vice-president and president, and at the time of his death was treasurer. The work of building, furnish- ing and maintaining the Masonic Home at Utica was something that he was greatly interested in, and he gave it much time and thought. No member of the board had a better conception of what such a home should be and how it should be conducted, and his services have been highly appreciated, not only by his fellow members of the board, but by the fraternity at large. He was for many years a member of the order of Odd Fellows.
On June 12, 1867, Mr. Strough married Miss L. Marie Ford, who was born in Orleans, New York, December 27, 1847, a daughter of the Rev. Lewis T. Ford. Mr. Ford was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York, son of John Ford, who married Lucy Rich, in Connecticut, and the couple, with Reuben Rich, brother of Mrs. Ford, emigrated to Madison county, New York, about 1836. " Mr. Ford worked upon his father's farm and in his mill until he came to manhood, receiving only a common school education. After arriving at his majority, through his own exertions he supported himself as a student at Madison (now Colgate) University, graduated from the theological department, and was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist church. At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Arminda Stetson, of Cooperstown, New York. Entering upon ministerial work, he had charge of a church in
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Peterborough, New York, the home of Gerritt Smith, who was a member of his church, and became a lifelong friend. He was pastor of the Bap- tist church in Lafargeville in 1838; about 1841 at Watertown, whence he went to Parisliville, St. Lawrence county, New York, and remained in that county about four years, returning about 1845 to Lafargeville, where he remained until his death. He was a man of great energy and force of character. He left surviving him four children, all of whom reside in Lafargeville: W. F. Ford, an attorney-at-law; L. Marie Strough, widow of Byron J. Strough: William G. Ford, and Charles H. Ford, the present supervisor. Of his brothers and sisters, John Ford settled in Diana, Lewis county, New York; Gilson Ford settled in Ohio; Guilford Ford remained in Madison county; Marie Rowell, a sister, resided in Wisconsin, and was the mother of thirteen children; Matilda Vincent resides in Wisconsin. Of his wife's relatives, Jesse Stetson left a large number of descendants, prominent among whom were Dr. Ezra Stetson, of Peoria, Illinois, and Mrs. Hannah Van Court, who resides in St. Louis.
Mr. Strough died at his home in Lafargeville, New York. April 24, 1904, after a long illness, in the sixty-first year of his age. His death was regarded as a personal loss by the entire community, which held him in honor and affection for his lofty character, magnetic personality, and usefulness of life. The funeral of Mr. Strough was held from his residence in Lafargeville, and was conducted by Watertown Commandery, Knights Templar. Nearly every Masonic lodge and chapter in Jeffer- son county and some in adjoining counties were represented in the large gathering of the fraternity to pay the last respects to a beloved member. Lafargeville Lodge of Odd Fellows also attended in a body. At the cemetery, where several hundred people assembled, the Templars' burial service was conducted by Eminent Sir Charles D. Bingham, Grand Com- mander of Knights Templar in this state. The pallbearers were George L. Davis, Emmett Green, H. L. Mills, George Hatch, F. M. Galloway and C. J. Bellinger, all members of Watertown Commandery.
The trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, at a meeting held in the Masonic Hall in the city of New York, May 5, 1904, adopted the following resolutions with reference to the death of Mr. Strough :
"Whereas, this board has suffered an almost irreparable loss through the recent death of Right Worshipful Byron J. Strough, and
"Whereas, its members are desirous of placing on record a minute expression of their appreciation of Bro. Strough's long and valuable
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services to the craft, as well as their individual sense of personal loss through his demise, and their esteem and affection for him as a man ; therefore, be it
"Resolved. That in the death of Right Worshipful Byron J. Strough this board recognizes the fact that it has lost a most faithful, intelligent and indefatigable worker, and the craft at large a true exemplar of the eternal principles of our order; an upright man and Mason; a square stone in the Temple of Masonry; a true friend and brother of our fra- ternal circle, beloved by all with whom he came in contact; whose work will live after him and whose memory will long be perpetuated; and, be it further
"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread in full upon the min- utes of the board, and a copy thereof, suitably engrossed, transmitted by its secretary to the family of our late brother."
At a special meeting of Lafargeville Lodge No. 171, F. and A. M .. held at their rooms April 27. 1904, the following preamble and resolu- tions were adopted :
"Whereas, Again the bonds of our fraternity are severed and the ties that bound us to a worthy brother are rudely broken. One who has been long with us in our Order in scenes of pleasure and sorrow, and who has been honored as a man and a Mason, who has by fidelity to the trusts confided to his keeping reached high and distinguished honors in the craft, has been summoned by the Grand Master of the Universe to the Grand Lodge on High. As the Worthy Master of this Lodge for twenty years, as the honored representative of the Grand Master in this Masonic district, as the trustee and treasurer of the Hall and Asylum Fund for eleven years, he has been true to the trusts confided to his care. As a brother, a true friend, one whose counsel we revered, who wrought well for the good of our Order, will his memory be cherished by the brethren of this Lodge.
"Therefore, be it resolved, that by the death of our brother, Byron J. Strough, this Lodge has lost one who has been a bright and shining light in our midst, and one who has honored our Lodge by his presence. A wise counselor has fallen and we as brethren mourn his loss and revere his memory.
"Resolved. That to the family of our brother we have little of this world's consolation to offer, but commend them to the loving mercies of Him who doeth all things well.
"Resolved, That our Lodge be draped in mourning, and a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of our brother and to the press for publication, and spread on the minutes of the Lodge.
Lafargeville Lodge No. 820, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, adopted the following resolutions :
"Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty to remove from our fraternal
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circle our beloved brother, Byron J. Strough, thereby reminding us that in the midst of life we are in death, and it is our duty to perpetuate the virtues of those who were so laborious with us in advancing the interests of our noble Order ; therefore, be it
"Resolved. That in the death of Brother Byron J. Strough, Lafarge- ville Lodge No. 820, I. O. O. F., has lost a member who had the love and friendship of our fraternal circle. and whose memory will ever be respected.
"Resolved, That we tender to the family and friends of our deceased brother our heartfelt sympathy in the great loss they have sustained by the severing of the links which hound them in ties of friendship and love to our brother who has crossed the dark river, called hence to be no more seen, and where he will have rest from his labors ever more.
"Resolved, That our charter be draped in mourning for thirty days; that a copy of these resolutions be engrossed and presented to the family of our late brother, and that they also be spread upon the minutes of the meeting held April 28, 1904.
The following tribute was inscribed upon the minutes of the direc- tors of the Jefferson County National Bank :
"Mr. Strough has been a member of this board for nearly fifteen years-was of constant and great service to the bank. His advice was as sound as it was positive and clear, and there was no uncertain note in his conservatism. A wide business and political experience had de- veloped in him a keen critical faculty and a prudence that contributed largely to the safeguarding of the bank's interests. The members of the board regret his loss not only as that of a valued official, but as of a warm, sincere and loyal personal friend."
Mr. Strough was survived by his widow, Mrs. L. Marie (Ford) Strough, and two brothers, Lucien S. and Perrin A. Strough, all of Lafargeville.
FIELD. This name is a very ancient one, and can be traced back to the conquest of England by William the Norman. Probably not a dozen families in England can prove so great an antiquity. The name is one of those derived from locality. Burke states that this family was originally in Alsace (then part of French now of German territory), seated at the Chateau de la Feld (of the field), near Colmar (German, Kolmar), from the darkest of the middle ages. Hubertus de la Feld was the first of the line that emigrated to England, and in 1069, was enrolled as the owner of lands by gift of the Conqueror, as compensation for military service, in the county of Lancaster. He was of the Counts de
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