USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 18
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The family has been known in America for a hundred and fifty years, the founder of this line having been Henry Taggart, a Scotchman who came to New England from the Isle of Man. One of his descend- ants, Joseph Taggart, came as a pioneer to the Black river country from Rhode Island at about the beginning of the Nineteenth century. Joseph's son Henry, who became a prominent farmer of Le Ray, Jefferson county, was the father of Byron Benjamin Taggart, founder of the paper manu- facturing business in Watertown, known as the Taggart Brothers Com- pany. Henry Taggart married Julina Dighton, daughter of John Digh- ton, an early settler of Pamelia and the son of a soldier of Burgoyne's army, who became a citizen of the United States.
Byron Benjamin Taggart was one of the eight children of Henry and Julina (Dighton) Taggart. He was born April 28, 1831, and lived until he was eighteen years old on his father's farm. He attended the district school as a child, and later taught during the winter. He was ambitious to gain a better education and to broaden his horizon, and studied for a year at the state normal school at Albany before spend- ing three years in the west. He returned to Watertown, where he staid until he entered military service during the second year of the war. He
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organized Company K. of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, and was commissioned captain for his services. The company was stationed for a time in New York harbor, but was soon called to the defenses at Washington. Ill health and pressure of business affairs at home im- pelled Captain Taggart to resign his position in the army November 23. 1863. In 1865 he began dealing in paper flour-sacks. He bought a hand printing press and a quantity of manila sacks and established a business on Beebee's Island, when the difficulty of getting the manufac- tured article suggested the possibility of producing them himself. In 1866 a company was organized to finance the enterprise, and under the management of Mr. Taggart the manufacture of manila paper was begun. It was the first business of the kind in that region, and after five years of successful operation William W. and Byron B. bought out the other members of the firm and the company became known as Tag- gart Brothers. In 1886 the firm was incorporated under the name of Taggart Brothers Company. Until his death Byron B. Taggart was the controlling spirit of the concern, as he had been the originator. It became under his management one of the most important and extensive manufacturing enterprises of northern New York. He was president of the company as well as president of the Taggart Brothers Paper Com- pany, which he established at Felt's Mills, and he was connected besides with many other financial concerns. He was one of the founders and for a time vice president of the Watertown Thermometer Company, an organizer and directer of the Watertown National Bank, a stockholder and director of the Watertown Spring Wagon Company, founder and president of the Watertown Savings Bank, president of the Alexandria Bay Steamboat Company, and of the Central Park Association of the Thousand Islands, an organizer and president of the Watertown Electric Street Railroad Company, and a stockholder and president of the Tag- gart-Moffett Land Company. In addition to all this he was a large owner of Hotel Eastman at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and had extensive land interests in the vicinity of Watertown. He had the rare faculty of concentrating his mind absolutely upon any matter of the moment, and of dismissing it as absolutely when he had dealt with it to the best of his ability. It was in this way that he was able to keep his poise amid the responsibilities and infinite detail of his business, to preserve an interest in liberal culture, and to hold his mind open to the public needs. He was a Republican and a trusted counsellor of his party. He was elected mayor of Watertown in 1879, and re-elected in 1880. In 1878 Governor
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Robinson appointed him a trustee of the Soldiers' Home at Bath, and he was continued in office under Governor Cornell.
His wife was Frances L. Brown, daughter of Jabez and Lefa Brown of Watertown. He was married soon after his return from the west, May 28, 1856. Mr. Taggart died January 20, 1897. His three children were as follows: Grace, who married P. R. Dillion and is living at Cleveland, Ohio: Mary L., who is the wife of Morris F. Tanner of Buf- falo; and Byron B.
Byron B., only son of Byron B. and Frances (Brown) Taggart, was born in Watertown March 5. 1874, and found his early instruction there in the public schools. He was graduated from Hamilton College and entered the business in 1896, a year previous to his father's death. The burden of his father's interests fell upon him, and he has proved himself fully equal to the responsibility. In connection with his cousin, Henry W. Taggart, he manages the mills of the Taggart Brothers Com- pany, and sustains other interests that his own initiative and enterprise have brought to him. Besides being vice president of the Taggart Brothers Company, he was one of the promoters and is vice president of the Alexandria Bay and Redwood Electric Railway Company, a director of the National Union Bank, a director of the Union Carriage and Gear Company, and a director and vice president of the St. Lawrence Park Association. He is also president of the Watertown Real Estate and Building Company, and secretary and treasurer of the Watertown Hotel Company ; also interested largely in real estate and buildings in Buffalo and Watertown. He carries these responsibilities almost as easily as his father carried the multifarious interests of his life. Mr. Taggart is never too much occupied to give attention to public affairs, and he is strong in the advocacy of whatever course appears to him as right. In 1902 he married Josephine, daughter of Delmar E. Clapp of Auburn. New York.
SYLVANUS POOL. The mention of the name of Sylvanus Pool recalls the memory of one who was, for many years, numbered among the honored citizens of Watertown. Mr. Pool came of New England ancestry. His father, who also bore the name of Sylvanus, was by trade a stonemason, and a man of estinrable character.
Sylvanus Pool, son of Sylvanus Pool, was born October 17, 1810, in Boston, Massachusetts, where he lived until reaching the age of twenty-five years, when he moved to Brownville, Jefferson county. New
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York. There, for three years, he was engaged in business as a tanner and currier, and then, feeling equipped for more extended efforts in a wider field, went to Champion. In his new place of abode his talents as a business man found full scope in conducting, for fifteen years, an independent establishment. This was a period in liis life fruitful, not only in financial profit, but in the acquisition of those stores of experience which served, in after years, as a guide, not for himself alone, but for many younger men, who, in beginning life for themselves, sought his counsel and encouragement. On leaving Champion he came to Water- town, where the remainder of his life was passed. Here he bought the "old Fairbanks tannery," where for a long time he conducted a flourish- ing business. In 1880 he disposed of the establishment on advantageous terms and withdrew from the field of active endeavor. Mr. Pool's busi- ness career, successful as it was in the main, was not one of uninter- rupted prosperity. He was the first vice president of the Merchants' Bank of Watertown, and, on the failure of this institution, suffered heavy financial loss. Reverses, however, failed to disturb the equanimity and cheerful courage with which he met and by means of which he finally conquered them. The Universalist church, of which he was an attend- ant, regarded him, and with reason, as one of its stanch supporters. To this church, in which he was while living a zealous and devoted worker, he left at his death $10,000.
Mr. Pool married Fanny, daughter of Eliakim Steele of Brown- ville. Two children were born to them, both of whom are deceased. The death of Mr. Pool, which occurred June 9, 1883, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years, was a cause of grief to the entire community. His family and friends were made to feel that they were not alone in their affliction, but that all who had ever in any way been associated with Mr. Pool united with them in a sense of personal bereave- ment on the removal of one who had lived among them as an honorable merchant, an upright citizen and a benevolent, kindhearted man.
WILLIAM P. HERRING. Among the citizens of Watertown, New York, is William P. Herring, president of the Jefferson Paper Company, the Jefferson Power Company, the Jefferson Board Mills Company, and director of the National Union Bank of Watertown. He was born at Rodman, Jefferson county, New York, October 22, 1844.
William Herring, grandfather of William P. Herring, was born in Wiltshire, England, acquired an education in the schools of this coun-
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try, and for four years was a resident of Denmark, Lewis county, New York, removing to Champion village about 1820, where he was actively engaged in the brewing business in partnership with Lyman Holcomb. In 1826 Mr. Herring located in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, where he purchased a tract of land and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for the remainder of his life. William Herring and his wife, Cynthia ( Buck ) Herring, a native of Argyle, Washington county, New York, were the parents of seventeen children, thirteen of whom attained years of manhood and womanhood, and by their earnest and conscien- tious lives left an impress for good upon the communities in which they resided.
Hiram Herring, son of William Herring and father of William P. Herring, was born in Denmark, Lewis county, New York, January 18, 1817. He completed his common school education at the age of seven- teen years, after which he secured employment in the village of Oxbow, whence he removed to Watertown and served a four-years' apprentice- ship with Jason Fairbanks in the leather business. The following two years he was employed at his trade during the summer months in the city of Rochester, New York, and during the winter months he followed the vocation of teaching. In 1841 hie settled in Rodman, purchased a tannery of Joseph Brown, and during his forty years' connection with this enterprise won a reputation for energy, ability and uprightness of character. He was an earnest advocate of the principles of Democracy as expounded by Thomas Jefferson, was a brilliant conversationalist and a great reader of good literature. On October 23. 1843, Mr. Herring married Paulina Prosser of Clarkson. Monroe county, New York. Their children are: Ella, wife of Levi Washburn of Rodman; Mary E., wife of B. L. Barney of Hanford, California; Jennie P., wife of Dr. Charles Douglas of Black River, New York : and William P. Herring. Hiram Herring died at his home in Rodman July 26, 1881. aged sixty-four years : his wife died August 9. 1884.
William Prosser Herring attended the common schools of his native town, Rodman, and began his business career in the tannery owned and operated by his father. In 1871 he went to Gouverneur to take charge of a tammery purchased by his father, the business being conducted under the firm name of William P. Herring & Company. In 1878, having dis- posed of his interest in the Gouverneur tannery, W. P. Herring went west and engaged in raising, feeding and dealing in cattle.
In 1878 he was employed by the Kansas City Live Stock Company
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and assisted in the establishment and development of stock yards in Kansas City. From that time until 1901 he was connected with either the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, or Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroads as general live stock agent.
In 1885 Mr. Herring became the owner of a large tract of land in the Red River valley of Minnesota and Dakota, and for twelve years was an extensive grower of wheat.
Simultaneous with the above period, Mr. Herring was engaged in the raising, feeding and shipping of cattle in Texas, Kansas, the Indian Territory and Iowa, and still retains his ranching interest in Kansas.
In 1887 Mr. Herring became interested in paper making in Black River, having in that year established the plant now Inown as the Jeffer- son Paper Company, Black River, since which time he has built the plants of Herring and purchased and rebuilt the St. Lawrence mill at Dexter.
At the age of twenty years Mr. Herring enlisted as private in Com- pany G, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Regiment, New York Volun- teers, serving with same until the close of the Civil war, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. At the close of the war he assisted Colonel George W. Flower in organizing the Thirty-fifth Regiment of National Guards, raising a large company in the towns of Rodman and Worth, of which he was made captain.
Mr. Herring was married October 17, 1866, to Imogene C. Adams, daughter of John and Electa Fox Adams of Watertown. Two children complete the family of Mr. and Mrs. Herring, namely : Pauline, wife of Colonel John W. Dillenbeck, United States Army ; and Frederick W., treasurer of the various paper-making companies of which his father is the head. The latter resides with his wife, Frances E. (Thompson) Herring, at Watertown.
ALANSON D. SEAVER. Prominent among the enterprising business men and public-spirited citizens of Jefferson county is Alanson D. Seaver of Watertown. He comes of New England ancestry who transmitted to him that genuine ability and sterling integrity of char- acter which have been such potent factors in his useful and honorable career.“ His parents were natives of Brookline, Massachusetts, and Rut- land. Vermont, and among the early settlers of Watertown. The father was a son of Joseph Seaver.
Alanson D. Seaver, son of William and Eliza ( French) Seaver, was
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born January 29, 1845. in Watertown, where he received a common school education and was early employed at the machinist's trade. In 1865 he entered C. B. Hoard's armory in Watertown and rapidly picked up a knowledge of metal-working. His application and apti- tude were such that he thoroughly mastered the business in all its details, and became so accomplished a workman that he was able to secure a position as tool-maker with the Davis Sewing Machine Com- pany in 1868. After holding this position for seventeen years, with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to his employers, he engaged in the insurance business, becoming associated with Frank H. Munson under the firm name of Munson & Seaver. As city agents for the Agri- cultural Insurance Company the firm carried on a flourishing business, a fact due in no small measure to the industry and ability of Mr. Seaver, whose success in commercial life has been no less marked than were the favorable results which he secured while engaged in the calling of a machinist. This continued until the death of Mr. Munson. In 1901 Mr. C. F. Peck became his partner, and the business is now conducted under the style of Seaver & Peck.
Notwithstanding the urgent and incessant demands to which Mr. Seaver as a business man is constantly subjected, he has never neglected the duties of a citizen, but has ever manifested an earnest and conscien- tious interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he resides. He possesses the high esteem and full confidence of his fellow citizens, who in 1871 elected him to the office of city clerk. In 1884 he was called by the votes of his fellow citizens to fill the position of county treasurer, the best comment upon the manner in which he ad- ministered the office being found in the fact that in 1887 he was re-elected. Mr. Seaver is a member of Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M., in which he held the office of master three terms. He is also affiliated with Watertown Chapter and Commandery, and Media Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is an Episcopalian, and a Republican in poli- tics. He was married in December, 1868, to Miss Hattie E. La Mont, a native of Geneva, New York. daughter of Charles F. and Irene La Mont of that town, of prominent families.
CALVIN LITTLEFIELD of Ellisburg is one of many repre- sentatives of a noteworthy family of English origin, the American branch of which was founded by Edmund Littlefield, who was born in England about 1590, and in 1637 came to America, and subsequently
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settled in Exeter, New Hampshire. In 1641 he removed to Wells, Maine, where he built the first house, and also the first grist and saw mill erected in the place. He was a prosperous man of the times. He married Annis -- , and they were the parents of eight children. The death of Edmund Littlefield occurred in 1661.
(II) Francis Littlefield, son of Edmund and Annis Littlefield, was born in 1614, was with his father at Exeter, and afterward went to Woburn, Massachusetts, whence he removed about 1646 to Dover, New Hampshire, and there represented his town in the legislature. In 1650 he took up his abode in Wells, Maine. He was twice married and was the father of thirteen children. His first wife was Jane Hill, and his second Rebecca . He died in 1712 in Wells, Maine, at advanced age.
(III) Edmund Littlefield, son of Francis and Rebecca Littlefield, was born in 1650 in Wells, Maine, and in 1680 received a grant of two hundred acres of land on the Kennebec river, and on this land built a saw mill. He married Elizabeth Mott, and they were the parents of thirteen children. His death occurred in 1718.
(IV) Nathaniel Littlefield, second son of Edmund and Elizabeth (Mott) Littlefield, was born in 1691, in Braintree, Massachusetts, mar- ried Abigail Spear and was the father of nine children.
(V) Edmund Littlefield, son of Nathaniel and Abigail (Spear) Littlefield, was born April 3, 1724, in Braintree, Massachusetts, and in 1782 moved to Halifax, Vermont. He served in the French and Indian war, in Captain Ward's company, Colonel Williams' regiment, coming from Boston via Mohawk river, Wood creek, Oneida lake to Oswego by boat and participating in the battle near Frontenac, now Kingston, Can- ada. In 1775 he joined Captain William Brig's company, Colonel Read's regiment ; was in Bunker Hill battle with his three sons and two brothers, and later served in Craft's Artillery. and was discharged June 1, 1783. He married, October 6, 1750, Mary Castle, and the following children were born to them: Edmund; Jedediah; Josiah; Asa; Mary; Anna: Jesse, mentioned at length hereinafter; Elisha and Elizabeth. This soldier of the Revolution died in Halifax, Vermont. Edmund, Jesse and Josiah Littlefieid, sons of Edmund and Mary (Castle) Littlefield. removed to Jefferson county, bought lands at and near where Belleville now stands in 1805.
Edmund Littlefield, Jr., was born in Massachusetts, February 4, 1775, served in Captain Talbot's company in the Revolutionary war.
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After the close of the war he moved to Coleraine. Massachusetts. founded the Second Baptist church and was its pastor eighteen years. In 1805 he came to Ellisburg, New York, bought lots 56 and 58 and settled thereon. He was one of the founders of the Belleville Baptist church: also the pastor of the State Road Baptist church in Adams, serving until his death in 1806.
(VI) Jesse Littlefield, son of Edmund and Mary ( Castle) Little- field, was born in 1761, and was a farmer in Vermont. His wife was Elinor Pennell. Elinor Pennell was a daughter of Captain John Penneil of Halifax, Vermont. He served in Colonel William Williams' regi- ment from January, 1776, to July, 1782, New York State Militia. Their children were: James, John, Jesse, Jr .. Julius, Daniel, Esther, Hannah and Elinor.
(VII) John Littlefield, son of Jesse and Elinor ( Pennell) Little- field, was born in 1794 in Halifax, Vermont, and in 1805 came to Jeffer- son county with his parents. He purchased a tract of land near where Belleville now stands, which he made his home for the remainder of his life. He was an active farmer and a soldier in the war of 1812, being in the battle at Sackett's Harbor with his brother James. His brother, Jesse Littlefield, Jr., also served in the army and was in the battle of South Branch Sandy Creek in Ellisburg. John Littlefield took a promi- nent part in local affairs, filling the offices of assessor and supervisor. In politics he was a Whig. He married Orrilla Barney, who was born in Guilford, Vermont, and belonged to one of the pioneer families of Jefferson county. Mr. and Mrs. Littlefield were the parents of three children : Calvin, born in 1823, mentioned hereinafter; Eunice, born in 1825, died in 1877: Horace, born in 1827, went to California in 1849, and died in 1850.
Edward Barney, son of General Benjamin Barney, a Revolutionary soldier, was born in Vermont and came to Ellisburg in the winter of 1804 with an ox team and sled, the journey occupying three weeks. Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which he erected a log house. He married Mabel Brown, and they were the parents of a large family, all of whom settled in Ellisburg. Their son John was born in 1778, in Guilford, Vermont. In 1801 he married Cynthia Potter and they had four sons and five daughters: Hiram; David: Samuel G .: John : Orrilla, mentioned above as the wife of John Littlefield; Julia: Laura ; Harriet and Electa. Hiram was educated at Union Academy, Belleville, also at Union College. He was principal of
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Union Academy, Belleville, and Aurora Academy, Erie county, and of Hughs high school, Cincinnati, Ohio, and later was elected state super- intendent of the schools of Ohio and inaugurated the union school system throughout the state.
(VIII) Calvin Littlefield, son of John and Orrilla ( Barney) Lit- tlefield, was born September 1, 1823, on a farm which is now his home. He received his primary education in the common schools, afterward attending Belleville Academy and Union College. Subsequently he be- came principal of Union Academy, also of Aurora Academy. After serving five years he became a resident of Belleville.
In 1854, '55 and '57 he was a member of the state assembly. He is a member of the Masonic order. In early life his political affiliations were with the Whigs and he has been identified with the Republican party since its organization.
In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army and in connection with Judge A. E. Cooley of Adams Centre, recruited Company K of the Ninety-fourth Volunteers. Of this company Mr. Littlefield was elected captain, and in March, 1862, was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He served in the Army of the Potomac and was present at the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam, commanding the regi- ment in the three last named battles. On account of his disability he resigned in November, 1862. He rendered very material aid in recruit- ing the quota in thic town of Ellisburg and of Jefferson county, and through his services the county's quota was filled without resort to the draft.
After his return to civil life Colonel Littlefield was for several years interested in St. Louis and San Francisco and Atlantic & Pacific rail- roads, holding the office of secretary and treasurer of each company.
Colonel Littlefield was twice married. His first wife was Harriet L. Sprague, who was born April 20, 1824, and died June 21, 1878. On January 16, 1883, he married Laura Hungerford of Ellisburg, daughter of Philo and Caroline (Davis) Hungerford. He has been the father of five children, only one of whom is now living, namely, Rebecca May, a daughter by his first wife, who is the wife of Rolland Stewart, a real estate dealer of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has two children, Clara Eunice and Harriet Maud.
The above article is due largely to the earnest investigations and kind courtesy of Dr. George H. Littlefield of Glenfield, New York.
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SMITH. One branch of the Smith family of Rodman is descended from (I) John Smith, who appeared very early in Sudbury, Massachu- setts. His wife's name was Sarah Hunt, daughter of Robert and Su- sannah Hunt. They had four sons.
(II) Thomas, son of John and Sarah (Hunt) Smith, was born July 29, 1658, in Sudbury, and married Abigail Rice. He made his will November 30, 1717. That he could write is evidenced by his signature on this document, which was probated May 11, 1718.
(III) Thomas (2), son of Thomas (I) and Abigail (Rice) Smith, was born December 3, 1679, in Sudbury. His wife's Christian name was Elizabeth. He made his will March 25, 1747.
(IV) Henry, youngest child of Thomas (2) and Elizabeth Smith, was born April 24, 1724, in Sudbury, and married Lucretia, daughter of Hezekiah Moore. Mr. Smith served as a private on the alarm from Lexington, April 19, 1775, being out three days, in Captain Aaron Haynes' Company, from Sudbury to Cambridge. He was then fifty-one years of age, and there were several older men in the company. He was one of the leading and best established men in the town. He had nine children.
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