USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 19
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(V) Ezra, son of Henry and Lucretia (Moore) Smith, was born January 13, 1754, and was married January 12, 1779, to Phebe Walcott, daughter of Jesse and Rebecca (Conant) Walcott. Ezra Smith served at several different periods in the Revolution. Soon after that struggle, he moved to Nelson, New Hampshire, where the house he built still stands. About 1802 he brought his family to Rodman, this county, where many of his descendants now live. He died February 27, 1834.
(VI) Reuben, eldest son of Ezra and Phebe (Walcott) Smith, was born August 22, 1782, in Nelson, New Hampshire, and spent his life in Rodman, from the time of his majority. He married Pamela, daugh- ter of Jesse Wright, also a very early settler of Rodman, from Nelson. New Hampshire, and a Revolutionary veteran. They had eleven chil- dren.
KNOWLTON. The traditions of the Knowlton family date back to the days of William the Conqueror. At that time there were two brothers who won their spurs during the invasion of Wales. One of these resided on a hill and the other on a knoll, and when William the Conqueror invested them with the honors and insignia of knighthood he
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dubbed one Hillton and the other Knowlton. All along the pages of English history the name of Knowlton occupies an honored place.
(I) The American branch traces descent from Richard Knowlton, a native of Kent, England. He was born in 1553, married in 1577 Elizabeth Cantize.
(II) William Knowlton, the youngest son of Richard and Eliza- beth Knowlton, born in 1584, married Anne Elizabeth Smith, and had six children.
(III) William Knowlton, the fourth son of William (I), adopted a seafaring life and was captain and part owner of an ocean vessel. He sailed for America in 1632, and died off the coast of Nova Scotia. His body was taken ashore for burial, and his widow, after disposing of her interest in the ship, proceeded to Hingham, Massachusetts, where it is said she married a second time.
(IV) William Knowlton, son of William (2), born in 1615, was a bricklayer and a resident of Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth (surname unknown), and died in 1658. He had seven children.
(V) William Knowlton, the third son of William (3), born in 1642, married Susannah He was a tailor, and was fined for having a pack of playing cards in his house. He was the father of three children.
(VI) Thomas Knowlton, eldest son of William (4), born in 1667, was twice married. Eight children were the result of these two unions, of whom Ezekial, the youngest, was born in 1707. His mother, Mar- jery Goodhue, was the granddaughter of the Hon. William Goodhue, who represented the colonial assembly for seven years, and who, for resenting illegal taxation was imprisoned by Governor Andras.
(VII) Ezekial Knowlton lived at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, where he was a selectman for many years. He married Susannah Mor- gan, and died in 1774, survived by nine children.
(VIII) Luke Knowlton, the fifth child and second son of Ezekial Knowlton, was born at Shrewsbury in 1738. In 1760 he married Sarah Holland, and thirteen years later removed to Newfane, Vermont. He was a man prominent in the affairs of life. At the age of twenty-one he entered in the regular service of the continental army and served during the French and Indian war, in 1759, at Crown Point, Fort Ticonderoga and at other points. His journal, kept during his military career, is still in existence. After his removal to Vermont he represented the town of Newfane in the state legislature for seven terms, was a member of the
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old council from 1787 to 1793, judge of the Windham county court and judge of the supreme court in 1786. Judge Knowlton's declining days were darkened with suspicions regarding his loyalty to the state of Vermont. He died December 12, 1810, survived by six children.
(IX) Calvin Knowlton, the oldest son of Judge Luke Knowlton, was born in Newfane January 22, 1761. He graduated from Dart- mouth College in 1788, studied law with his father and achieved eminent success at his profession. He died January 20, 1800, at Newfane. But two children were born from his union with Sophia Willard, George Willard Knowlton, the oldest, first seeing the light of day on January 19, 1795, at Newfane.
(X) George Willard Knowlton, whose long, helpful and wonder- fully active life came to an unexpected end on October 18, 1886, was a potent and influential factor in the improvement of the literature, morals and material growth of the Black River country, a land unique, set apart by itself, of peculiar richness in natural resources, and the birthplace of many great and good men. He stood for many years as the almost solitary link that bound the present to that far-away time when the pioneers of this new land boldly ventured all and dared all to found a second New England-a land of churches, of schoolhouses, and of a profound respect for law. He was a man of rare characteristics and possessed a strong magnetic personality. He was calm amid the fiercest turmoils, and only deeply aroused when some great moral question affect- ing the public weal, or patriotism, called forth words of condemnation and wrath.
George W. Knowlton lost his father when he was but five years old, and he was early left to his own resources, acquiring but a limited educa- tion. In 1811, when only sixteen years of age, he secured employment in the distillery at Warehouse Point, Connecticut, operated by General Jenks, and remained there during the period of the war of 1812-13. This was before the days of temperance societies, and he afterward often expressed himself as being very thankful that he did not grow up a drunkard. In 1816, upon attaining his majority, he began business for himself in a general store at Brattleboro, Vermont, in which he was fairly successful. In 1824 Mr. Knowlton entered into partnership with Clarke Rice, a young printer, in the purchase of some property in Water- town, Jefferson county, New York, which Messrs. Holbrook and Fes- senden of Brattleboro. Vermont, uncles of Mr. Knowlton, had taken to secure a debt. Mr. Rice came to Watertown at once, and Mr. Knowl-
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ton in the following year, 1825. Their purchase consisted of a book store, bindery, printing office and two paper mills. The latter were operated by hand, and produced about one hundred and twenty-five pounds of paper each per day. Finding it difficult to dispose of any considerable quantity of paper, they turned the product of their plant into school books, blank books and even miscellaneous books for public school libraries, and in a short space of time the name of Knowlton & Rice became familiar to every school boy in several neighboring counties. In 1854 Mr. Knowlton retired from active business pursuits, and as long as his strength would permit he devoted considerable time to gar- dening, of which occupation he was particularly fond.
Mr. Knowlton was one of the original members of the Second Presbyterian. now Stone Street church, and was elected an elder of that church in 1832, 'which office he held until his death. During his early life he was an abolitionist and later a Republican, for the logic of fate would not permit him to be anything else. This logic also made him an ardent admirer of the illustrious Abraham Lincoln, who was not per- mitted, as Mr. Knowlton was, to witness the full fruition of all his hopes in a united, great nationality. He performed every duty devolv- ing upon him with the strictest fidelity, was a patriotic and public-spir- ited citizen, and he was always ready and willing to do his full share toward every public improvement.
In August, 1830, Mr. Knowlton married Elizabeth Carroll, who bore him five children: Elizabeth, deceased; Sophia, deceased wife of Charles Perkins; Maria, deceased wife of John H. Rice: John C. and George W. Knowlton, who survive their parents.
(XI) John Calvin Knowlton, elder son of George W. and Eliza- beth Knowlton, was born February 22. 1837, in Watertown, which city has been his home, and to whose development he has contributed 110 mean part, both in moral and material things. He attended the public schools of his native city and Cortland Academy, at Homer, New York, which latter institution he left at the age of seventeen years, to begin his business career. He acted for some time as clerk in the late Wooster Sherman's bank and, subsequently, in what is now the National Union Bank. In 1877 he became a director of the Jefferson County National Bank, and soon after was made vice-president, becoming president and manager in 1897, resigning in January, 1904, and was again made vice- president. In the latter movement, he exchanged places with Mr. George B. Massey, who had been vice-president, and took the presidency, as Mr.
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Knowlton's successor. Mr. Knowlton is also a director of the Thousand Island Bank, of Alexandria Bay.
In 1861 Mr. Knowlton, in association with his brother, took up the operation of the paper mill formerly operated by their father. The business has since been conducted under the name of Knowlton Brothers, which became a corporate title in 1892. About 1888 Mr. J. C. Knowlton resigned from active management of the mill, though he still has an interest in it. Its capacity has been increased until it now represents twenty times the product put forth when the senior Knowlton operated it, a fact creditable to the executive ability, energy and business probity of its owners.
While active in promoting business interests, Mr. Knowlton has borne the part of a good citizen, in developing along right lines the social and political life of his native city. He is a member of the First Presby- terian church, in which he has been long an elder. While he subscribes to the general principles enunciated by the Republican organization, he is not a strict partisan, and does not always support the entire ticket put up by the party leaders. He is recognized, however, by all shades of political opinion as an earnest well-wisher toward every movement in- tended to conserve the general welfare. He became a member of the board of water commissioners of the city in 1872, and has since continued in that capacity, having been several years president of the board. He was the representative of the second ward on the board of supervisors a considerable period, and was chairman of the board one term. He was long chairman of the Bureau of Charities, from which he retired one year ago, and is president of the Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As chairman of the administration committee of the Flower Memorial Library, he will have further opportunity to promote the best interests of the community, and find congenial occupation for his time. His interest in education, and its recognition by his contemporaries, is testified by the fact that he served many years as school commissioner.
Mr. Knowlton was married December 3, 1863, to Miss Susan M. Fiske, daughter of the late Isaac H. Fiske (see Fiske).
A genial and affable gentleman, a true representative of the long line of worthy New England ancestry, Mr. Knowlton enjoys the friend- ship of his fellow citizens and, with the consciousness of duty well done, his years are being passed in easy contentment, peace and continued well- doing.
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(XI) George Willard Knowlton, a prominent man of affairs of Watertown, son of George Willard and Elizabeth (Carroll) Knowlton, was born in 1841, in High street, Watertown, and received his education in the local schools.
In 1856, at the age of fifteen, he went to learn the business of paper manufacturing in the mill of Chamberlin, Farwell & Company, and, during the time spent there, acquired a thorough knowledge of the process in all its branches. In the course of time the firm failed, and Mr. Knowlton, in conjunction with his brother, John C. Knowlton, pur- chased the mill. The latter had, from boyhood, been connected with a bank, and was prepared to advance $1,200 toward the establishment of a business. The brothers entered into partnership, and their father endorsed their note for $5,000. The enterprise was highly successful, and the partnership remained undissolved until 1888. Long before this, Mr. Knowlton's remarkable executive talents and undisputed integrity of character had earned for him a high position in business circles, and when, in 1892, the business was incorporated, he was made president, a position which he still holds. His son, George Seymour Knowlton, is secretary and treasurer of the company, which still bears the title of Knowlton Brothers. The success of the business and the deservedly high reputation enjoyed by the owners are due, in large measure to the sagacity and administrative talents of the president, aided and enforced by the ability and close application to business of the other officials. When the Ontario Paper Company was organized Mr. Knowlton accepted the position of president, but this company, in 1898, dissolved, disposing of its stock to the International Paper Company. Since 1900 he has held the position of president of the St. Regis Paper Company. To his labors as a business man Mr. Knowlton adds those of a financier, filling the office of president of the Watertown National Bank, and is president of the American Paper and Pulp Association of the United States. The temperamental conditions and powers of mind which have enabled Mr. Knowlton to direct the affairs of large organizations and to conduct diffi- cult and complicated transactions, are combined with a benevolence of spirit which prompts him to do all in his power to aid and uplift the needy and struggling, wherever they may be found. This disposition finds expression in individual acts of philanthropy, and in his able admin- istration of the office of treasurer of the Jefferson County Orphan Asy- lum. He is an active member and an elder of the First Presbyterian church. As a citizen he is prompt and active in the discharge of all
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his political obligations, takes a keen interest in the cause of reform, and is ever an advocate of wisely directed progress. In the sphere of politics he is identified with the Republican party, supporting, by his influ- ence and vote, the men and measures which it upholds, and the principles embodied in its platforms.
Mr. Knowlton married Frances G., daughter of John Clarke, in 1862 and two children were born to them. George Seymour and Elizabeth Frances ( Mrs. Geo. V. S. Camp). In 1868 Mr. Knowlton and his chil- dren were deprived by death of the wife and mother, whose loss was also keenly felt by a large circle of friends. Mr. Knowlton, in 1870, married the lady who is now the presiding genius of his home,-Ger- trude S .. daughter of Adrial Ely. By this second marriage there are three children. Theodore Ely. Carroll Foster and Gertrude Willard. The first of these is a civil engineer, and has done much in railroad con- struction in the United States and Canada.
BENJAMIN F. HARRINGTON. Benjamin Franklin Harring- ton. a progressive and practical agriculturist of Rodman, traces liis ances- try to two brothers by the name of Harrington, who were arrivals in America soon after the coming of the famous Mayflower. Nathaniel Harrington, great-grandfather of Benjamin F. Harrington, was born May 15, 1726, and his wife, Mary Harrington, born October 17, 1729. bore him the following-named children : Waity, born September 6, 1749; Caleb, March 7, 1751 ; John, April 21, 1853; and Nathaniel. Jr., June 23. 1757. Caleb Harrington, eldest son and second child of Nathaniel Har- rington, born March 7, 1751, moved from Connecticut or Rhode Island to Clarendon, Vermont. He married Sally Perry, who died July II. 1827, and their children were: Rhoda, born December 1, 1781 ; Cyril. June I. 1783: Nathaniel, March 14. 1785: Azuba, October 20. 1788; Polly. December 30, 1790; and Caleb, Jr., May 3. 1801. There is a monument erected to the memory of Judge Theophilus Harrington at Clarendon, Vermont : he is one of the early ancestors of this family.
Nathaniel Harrington, father of Benjamin F. Harrington, was born in Clarendon, Vermont, Marchi 14. 1785. During the early years of the nineteenth century. he penetrated into the wilds of Jefferson coun- ty. New York, in quest of game, and was engaged for several years in hunting and fishing, and during this time he selected a spot for his future home in the present town of Rodman. In 1806 lie located on the land, which is still in the possession of the family. then consisting of one hun-
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dred acres, to which he afterward added until his possessions amounted to about two hundred and seventy acres. He cleared the farm, which was then in a state of complete wilderness, and during all this period experienced the privations incident to a pioneer life. He made his way from Rome to this section of the state by means of marked trees, and for several years was about the only settler. He was successful in his operations ; was recognized as a man of means in his day, and was always a firm champion of the rights of the people. He served several years as county commissioner, fulfilling his duties with promptness and effici- ency. In early manhood he cast his vote with the Democratic party, but later transferred his allegiance to the opposing faction, the Republican party. He served in the war of 1812, participated at the battle of Sack- etts Harbor, and while he was preparing for his service his wife was moulding bullets ; he was one of the pensioners of that war. For over thirty years he was an active member and a liberal contributor to the State Road Baptist church, of Adams.
Nathaniel Harrington married Diana Edmonds, July 4, 1808. She was born in 1789, a daughter of Eliphalet Edmonds, a native of Ver- mont, whence he migrated to the vicinity of Boonville, New York, later coming to Jefferson county, where he served as judge of the county for many years. Nine children were the issue of this marriage, eight of whom attained years of maturity, namely: Sally, born in 1809, became the wife of Howard Beard, a cooper of Rodman, later a merchant, and for several years a justice of the peace. Betsy, born October 24, 1810, became the wife of Daniel Fox, second, a carpenter of Adams Center. Eri, born April 1, 1813, a resident of Adams, New York, having attained the advanced age of ninety-one years. Electa, born April 23, 1815, be- came the wife of Volney Ayres, a farmer of Adams. Riley, born Sep- tember 27, 1820, a farmer, died December 30, 1862. Nathaniel, born August 5, 1822, died at the age of twenty-two years. Harry, born Sep- tember 16, 1824, a farmer of Rodman, and Benjamin F., mentioned here- inafter. The father of these children died June 4, 1890; he survived his wife many years, her death occurring June 4, 1854.
Benjamin F. Harrington was born on the farm in Rodman, where he now resides, May 18, 1827. He obtained a common school education, and his active career has been devoted to farming, which has proved a lucrative means of livelihood. For several years he taught music, being thoroughly qualified for that vocation, as he is a fine musician and culti- vated singer, the flute being his particular instrument for pleasure. He
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has led the choir of the Adams First Baptist church for the long period of forty years. He is a most estimable citizen, honored and esteemed for his sterling worth and honorable character.
Mr. Harrington married, January 22, 1852, Jennette A. Sweet, born June 1, 1828, daughter of Ira and Anna (Green) Sweet, whose ances- tors were among the pioneer settlers of this county. Her grandfather, Charles Green, was one of the first settlers of the Green settlement, after living in Pinckney, New York, as a pioneer. Two children were born to Benjamin F. Harrington and wife, namely: Ellano, born January 15, 1858. a farmer of the town of Adams; Charles E., born April 2, 1861, a merchant in Amsterdam, New York, manager of a five and ten cent store of the Woolworth syndicate.
EDWIN DILLIN. Edwin Dillin, a prosperous agriculturist of the town of Rodman, was born at Plessis, in Alexandria, Jefferson county, New York, August 23, 1847, a son of Lodiwick and Julia Ann ( Suits) Dillin, and grandson of William and Matilda ( Hawkins) Dillin.
William Dillin was born May 27, 1770, probably in the state of Connecticut. He is supposed to have resided in the vicinity of Utica, New York, whence he removed in 1800 to Brownville, bringing his family thither the following year. His first settlement was on the site of the present village of Brownville. He worked at the trade of carpenter, and in association with his brother-in-law, Edward Hawkins, built the first sawmill there for Major Brown. Subsequently he purchased and cleared a farm located one mile north of the village, which proved a most profit- able investment. He was a member of the militia during the war of 1812, and assisted in burying the dead after the battle of Sacketts Harbor. There is a tradition in the family that his father, William Dillin, and Ned Hawkins, father of his wife. participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, where William Dillin, senior, lost his life. William Dillin and Ned Hawkins cut the first road from Watertown to Brownville. Mrs. William Dillin and a daughter, Cynthia, were precipitated into the water from a boat while crossing to Brownville, and narrowly escaped drown- ing. . At first they were supposed to be dead, but finally were resusci- taied.
Lodiwick Dillin was born in Brownville, New York, August 29, 1813. His educational advantages were very limited, and at an early age he began clearing land, later becoming the owner of a farm in Alex- andria, which is now owned by one of his sons, James Dillin. He was
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prosperous in all his undertakings, and therefore was enabled to accu- mulate a comfortable competence. He was a man of positive convictions, exerted a powerful influence for good in the community, and was one of the organizers of the Baptist church of Redwood, in which he served as deacon for many years, and was also the principal contributor in the building of the edifice. During the last twenty years of his life, both he and his wife resided in the home of their son, Edwin Dillin, and their church membership was transferred to the Baptist church of Adams Centre. By his marriage to Julia Ann Suits, who was born October 16, 1818, in Harrisburg, Lewis county, New York, a daughter of Adam and Catherine Suits, the following named children were born: Nancy, who became the wife of John Gray, of Clayton; Louise, who became the wife of William Taylor, of Lawrence, Michigan, where her death occurred March 22, 1887; Cordelia, who became the wife of Casper Ecker, of Plessis, New York; James, a farmer, residing at Alexandria Bay, New York; Edwin, mentioned hereinafter; Sarah, who became the wife of Edward Maxom, of Adams, New York, a farmer; Matilda, who became the wife of Orley Burdick, a farmer, residing at Greenwich, Washington county, New York. Lodiwick Dillin died as aforesaid at the home of his son, Edwin Dillin, September 2, 1903; his wife survived him a few months, passing away January 14, 1904.
Edwin Dillin was reared on his father's farm in Alexandria Bay, obtained a practical education in the common schools of the neighbor- hood, and for several winters thereafter served in the capacity of teacher. In 1865 he purchased his present farm in Rodman, New York, which consists of one hundred and eight acres of well cultivated land, the products of which, being of excellent quality, find a ready sale in the nearby markets. He is one of the three stockholders of the cheese fac- tory located near the northwest corner of the town of Rodman, and is also treasurer of the same. For a period of almost twelve years he served as the first and only postmaster at Dillin, the postoffice being in his home, but now the free delivery system is in use in that section of the county. He is a member and deacon of the Baptist church at Adams Centre, contributing liberally of his time and money to its support. He is also an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and active in local affairs, having served nine years as assessor. A Republican in politics, he is looked upon as an upright and honorable man, and is much respected by the entire community.
On September 16, 1870, Mr. Dillin married May Harrington, of
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Adams, New York, and one child was born to them September 16, 1871, Florence, now the wife of William W. Mantel, a farmer, residing in Rodman, and they are the parents of four children, as follows: Harry, Laura, Dorothy and Florence. Mrs. Dillin died November 20, 1876. Mr. Dillin chose for his second wife Eliza Van Pelt, of Champion, New York, born October 13, 1856, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Graves) Van Pelt, of West Carthage, New York, the former named being a cooper and manufacturer of butter tubs. The ceremony was performed February 23, 1878. Their children are: John Raymond, born August 7, 1882, is engaged on the farm with his father, and is graduate of a short course in agriculture at Cornell University; Ethel Louise, born December 20, 1884. now a member of the Training Class of Teachers at Antwerp high school; and Ruth Mildred, born August 1, 1894.
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