USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 27
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Mr. Lingenfelter has been a worthy member of the Masonic frater- nity for upwards of twenty-eight years, and is the oldest living member of his lodge (Lafargeville No. 171, F. and A. M.), in which he has held the stations of junior and senior deacon, and in which he is senior master of ceremonies on all ceremonial occasions. He is a charter member of Penett Court No. 1171, Independent Order of Foresters, in which he has been chaplain for many years. In his early days he was a Democrat in politics, and during the middle fifties he was a promi- nent member of the American or "Know-Nothing" party, and assisted in organizing two lodges. At the outbreak of the Civil war his patri- otic spirit became fully aroused, and he allied himself with the Repub- lican party, with which he has constantly affiliated to the present day. He was justice of the peace for twelve years, and held all the offices of the town, except that of supervisor.
Mr. Lingenfelter was married in 1855 to Miss Nancy E. Harter, who was born in Herkimer county, New York, May 10, 1834. She was a daughter of Jacob L. and Katherine ( Helmer) Harter. Her father was a native of the same county in which his daughter was born.
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He was a clothier and farmer, and passed sixty years of his life upon a three hundred acre farm in Stone Mills, which he purchased in 1834, and upon which he died at the phenomenal age of one hundred and five years, retaining his faculties almost to the very last. Of his marriage to Katherine Helmer were born five children, of whom three are living : I. Margaret, who became the wife of N. W. Nellis, of Stone Mills; 2, Harriet, who became the wife of John Putney, and resides near Oswego, New York ; 3, William, who resides at Gunn's Corners.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lingenfelter were born two children, twin daugh- ters : Isabel, who became the wife of Eugene Walrath, of Stone Mills, New York, and Arabella. The mother of these children died May 10, IS94. on her birthday, at the age of sixty years. She was for many years a confirmed invalid and a great sufferer. She bore her sufferings with Christian fortitude, tenderly ministered to by her devoted hus- band and daughter, Arabella, who since the death of the mother lias remained at home to care for her father's comfort. Mr. and Mrs. Lingenfelter were both Lutherans in religion, and reared their chil- dren in the same faitl.
A man of great activity and industry throughout his life, Mr. Lin- genfelter has been a particularly important figure in the commercial and social life of Lafargeville during his twenty years' residence there, and he has borne a full share in the promotion of whatever purpose was promising of the betterment of the community. Although past the allotted days of man as given by the Psalmist-three score and ten- he vet preserves a fine physique, vigorous health, and that unfailing good nature and warmth of feeling for his fellows that arms one against the slings and arrows of life, and enables him to enjoy the companionships which remain, and to appreciate at its full worth the high regard in which he is held as a truly model citizen. .
CORNWALL. Among the prominent and influential families who have been residents in the state of New York for many years, and who have been instrumental in promoting the best interests of the com- munity in which they resided, may be mentioned the name of Cornwall, so worthily represented for the greater part of a century by Andrew Cornwall, now deceased.
He was a lineal descendant in the eighth generation of William Cornwall, a native of England, who emigraated to this country early in the seventeenth century and settled in Middletown, Connecticut, now
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Portland, where three generations of the name have resided and died. William Cornwall and wife Joane joined the church in Roxbury, Massa- chusetts, in 1633. In May, 1633, he was one of the seventy-seven soldiers, forty-eight of whom were from Hartford and vicinity, who nearly exterminated the Pequot Indians in their fort at Mystic, Con- necticut. Shortly after 1637. possibly 1638, he settled in Hartford, and in February, 1639. he is found on the records as the sergeant-at- arms. In 1650 or 1651 he removed to Middletown, fifteen miles below Hartford, where he owned a large tract of land, probably about twelve hundred acres. He was a representative from Middletown in the colonial legislature of 1654, 1664 and 1665. and was also constable in 1664. He died in Middletown, Connecticut, February 21, 1678, and was interred in the old cemetery on the Connecticut river. His will, dated April 7. 1674, is a remarkable document and is found in the "History of William Cornwall and His Descendants," edited by Edward E. Cornwall, M. D., issued in 1901.
William Cornwall (2), son of the immigrant ancestor, William Cornwall, was born January 24. 1641. He was reared by Susanna Hooker, widow of the Rev. Thomas Hooker, of the first Hartford colony. He settled in Middletown, Connecticut, where he conducted a farm successfully for a number of years. On November 30, 1670. he married Mary Bull, daughter of William Bull, of Cambridge, Massa- chusetts, and six children were the issue of this marriage. William Corn- wall died January 18, 1691, aged fifty years ; he was survived by his wife, who passed away in the sixty-eighth year of her age.
William Cornwall (3), son of William Cornwall (2), was born September 13, 1671. He removed to Portland, Connecticut, prior to 1700, and settled on land originally owned by his grandfather. He served in the capacity of selectman during the years 1727 and 1728. He was chairman of the committee of three to build the first meeting house in East Middletown, and served as first tithing man. On Jan1- ary 22, 1692, he was married to Esther Ward, daughter of John Ward, and granddaughter of Andrew Ward, who was deputy governor of Connecticut with Governor Ludlow in 1634. Eight children were born of this union. William Cornwall died July 16. 1747.
Andrew Cornwall (4), son of William Cornwall (3), was born June 2, 1700. He was married (first ) September 9, 1725, to Elizabeth Savage, daughter of William Savage, of Upper Middletown, Connecti- cit, and her death occurred March 21, 1747, aged fifty-one years. He
Conwall
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was married (second) December 27. 1748, to Tabitha Cooper. He was the father of six children. He resided in East Middletown, Con- necticut, was chosen to fill the office of selectman in the year 1731, and his death occurred April 17, 1756.
Andrew Cornwall (5), son of Andrew Cornwall (4), was born August 22. 1735. He was united in marriage October 26, 1756, to Lydia Abby, of Chatham, Connecticut, and of the six children born to them, the eldest, Daniel Cornwall, was captain of militia, and also served in the Continental army. Andrew Cornwall was drowned in the Connecticut river on July 18, 1768.
Andrew Cornwall (6). son of Andrew Cornwall (5), was born in Connecticut in 1759. During the period of the revolutionary war he enlisted his services as a private, and participated in many engage- ments. He was a member of the Connecticut militia, stationed at Peekskill, New York, from April 7 to May 19. 1777, took part in the battles of Bennington and Saratoga, and received a severe wound in the former named battle. He died November 3. 1799.
Andrew Cornwall (7), son of Andrew Cornwall (6), was bap- tized July 2, 1786. Accompanied by his two brothers, William and Ansel, about the year 1800 he left his native state of Connecticut and came to what at that time was called the "far west," of Monroe county, New York. They tarried for a short period of time at what is now the city of Rochester, where there was a small settlement, but later con- tinued their journey, and in 1809 located in Poultneyville, Wayne county, New York. Mr. Cornwall was united in marriage to Elizabeth Martin, and seven children were born of this union. He died March 22, 1854.
ANDREW CORNWALL (8), son of Andrew Cornwall (7), was born at what is now known as Poultneyville, Wayne county, March 25. 1814. He attended the district school during the winter and worked on the farm during the summer until he attained the age of thirteen years. He then became an employe of John Reynolds, the proprietor of a country store at Poultneyville, with whom he remained in the capacity of clerk and bookkeeper for a period of thirteen years. From a too close application to business his health became impaired, and in order to recuperate he purchased a small vessel and went on the lakes as a sailor. He continued this business for three years, at the end of which time he sold his vessel, his health in the meantime having been fully restored. In July, 1844, he located in Redwood, New York, entered the employ of DeZeng & Burlingame, manufacturers of glass, and for two years
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was in charge of their store. In November, 1846. at the solicitation of Azariah Walton, he took up his residence in Alexandria Bay and formed a copartnership with Lyman Walton. In 1850 he erected on the site of the present building a modern store in which they did business until 1853. in which year Mr. Azariah Walton died. In addition to their mercantile business, they were also engaged in supplying wood to the river traffic, and purchased five thousand acres on Welles Island, the smaller islands being added to the sale as of no value. From, these the wood was cut. after which the island, upon which now stands the beau- tiful summer home of the Pullman family, of Palace car fame, known as " Castle Rest," and Hart Island, upon which stands the palatial sum- mer home of George C. Boldt, of Waldo Astoria fame, were sold for nominal sums, to encourage the purchasers to build, and the present site of the far famed Thousand Island Hotel was given away, with the proviso that a hotel should be built thereon, this property being given by Charles and John Walton and Andrew Cornwall, the two former representing their father's estate. Thus it can be seen that to Messrs. Walton and Cornwall belongs much of the credit for attracting attention, and laying the foundation for the world renowned summer resorts of the beautiful St. Lawrence River.
After the death of Mr. Walton a new firm was organized under the name of Cornwall & Walton, John F. Walton being the junior partner, and this connection continued until April 1, 1877, when both retired from business, and the firm of Cornwall Brothers was estab- lished. This consisted of the four sons of Andrew Cornwall-Andrew C., Charles \V., John I., and Harvey A. (sketches of whom follow), who are now conducting a thriving business, being general merchants and agents for all railroad and steamboat lines centering at Alexandria Bay, in addition to dealing in every commodity required in a country store. Their present store, erected in 1866, a beautiful stone building located on the bank of the St. Lawrence river, is eighty by forty feet, two stories high, with basement. In addition to this they have other store houses, and also an annex in which they handle coal, wood, lime. cement, etc. Being the oldest establishment of its kind in Jefferson county, they receive a large share of the patronage of the citizens, and during the summer months they probably conduct the most extensive business of any concern on the St. Lawrence river, employing thir- teen clerks.
Mr. Cornwall began his business career with very limited means,
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A.b. Comwall
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but by close attention to every detail and with a determination to con- tract no bills that could not be met when due, also by incurring no unnecessary expense, he succeeded in his business enterprises, enjoyed the reputation of being a man of unswerving integrity and unimpeachable character, and retired with a comfortable competence for his declining years. Such a life is an example well worthy of emulation.
Mr. Cornwall took an active part in the political affairs of his day and time. He was a firm believer in the principles of Democracy, and, although that section of Jefferson county in which he resided was strongly Republican, he held many offices of trust and responsibility. He was appointed postmaster of Alexandria Bay August 29, 1857, by President Buchanan, serving during his administration and also under President Lincoln, resigning on July 1, 1861. He served as supervisor from 1852 to 1856, and during the entire period of the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, and, although the board was largely Repub- lican, was appointed a member of the war committee of the county, and served faithfully in recruiting and filling quotas of his own and other towns of the county during the years of this great struggle. In 1867 he was nominated and elected to the legislature, and during the session was a member of the committee of ways and means, and the sub-com- mittee of the whole, and also one of the committee on the manufacture of salt. Such satisfaction did he give while filling these positions, that in the fall of 1868 he was nominated for congress against the Hon. A. H. Laflin, who waged a bitter warfare in this contest, and Mr. Cornwall was defeated, but by a very small majority. He was later a candidate for state senator against James A. Bell, of Dexter, New York, and although the county was strongly Republican he was defeated by only a small majority.
In January, 1843, Mr. Cornwall was married to Mary C. Calhoun, daughter of Captain Calhoun, of Williamson, Wayne county, New York, who was a pensioner of the war of the Revolution, and a captain in the war of 1812. Four sons, above mentioned, were the issue of this marriage. Mr. Cornwall died September 1, 1900, and his wife passed away on August 13, 1890.
ANDREW CALHOUN CORNWALL, eldest son of the late Hon. Andrew and Mary C. (Calhoun) Cornwall, was born at Poultney- ville, Wayne county, New York, January 2, 1844. He received his literary education in the district schools of Alexandria Bay and in the Watertown high school, after which he took a full course in Eastman's
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Mercantile College at Rochester, New York. He entered upon business life as a clerk in his father's store, and in 1877 he and his brothers- Charles W., John I., and Harvey A .- succeeded to the ownership of the business, which they have since conducted under the firm name of Corn- wall Brothers, with Andrew C. Cornwall, who looks after the finances of the firm.
On July 1, 1869, Mr. Cornwall was married to Miss Julia Fuller, of Alexandria Bay, New York, and of this union have been born five children: 1. Bertha, who became the wife of Sherwood H. Country- man, who was a merchant tailor of Three Mile Bay. and their children are Helen and Benjamin. 2. Bessie C., who became the wife of H. Fred Inglehart, of Watertown, New York, who is engaged in the hotel business. 3. Fuller F., a graduate of the high school of Alexandria Bay, a school át Clinton, and the Military School of Poughkeepsie, and is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of the Thousand Islands. mentioned above. 4. Andrew Raymond, who is a student at Cornell, preparing for the bar. 5. Mary, who is a student at Ossinning Female Seminary, under the preceptorship of Miss Fuller.
Mr. Cornwall, in addition to his connection with the firm of Corn- wall Brothers, whose business, as it has for a half century past, ranks as the leading mercantile industry in that region, is also actively identified with various financial houses, serving as president of the First National Bank of the Thousand Islands, established by the Cornwall Brothers in 1900, at Alexandria Bay ; a director of the National Bank and Loan Company, of Watertown; and a trustee of the Watertown Savings Bank. In 1898 Mr. Cornwall and his brothers enlarged the New Mars- den Hotel, which consists of seventy-five rooms, and is modern and handsome in all its appointments. At all times Mr. Cornwall has taken a leading part in the promotion of community interests, and has afforded liberal aid to educational, religious and social institutions. He was president of the village for a number of years, and also served as town supervisor four years. He was chief of the Fire Department of Alex- andria Bay a number of years, being one of the organizers of the depart- ment and in these various capacities he conducted the duties with the same exactness and fidelity which characterized his personal dealings. He has attained high rank in the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Alexandria Lodge, No. 297, in which he has held all offices but master ; Theresa Chapter, No. 149. R. A. M. ; Watertown Commandery, No. II,
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K. T. ; and also is a Noble of Media Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
CHARLES W. CORNWALL, second son of the late Andrew and Mary (Calhoun) Cornwall, was born at Alexandria Bay, Jefferson county, New York, October 30. 1848. He was educated in the common schools of his native town, at Union Academy, Belleville, and at East- man's Business College of Rochester, New York. In 1866 he began the active duties of life by entering the employ of Campbell & Farrell, at the present time Campbell & Moulton, a large dry goods firm of Water- town, New York, where he served in the capacity of clerk for five years. At the expiration of this period of time he went to Fenton, Michigan. with J. V. Buckbee, with whom he remained seven years, and then, in partnership with his brother, John I. Cornwall, he purchased the business from Mr. Buckbee and conducted the same under the style of Cornwall Brothers up to 1877. They then disposed of their business and returned to Alexandria Bay, and in co-operation with his two brothers, Andrew C. and Harvey A., formed the present company of Cornwall Brothers. (See sketch of Hon. Andrew C. Cornwall.)
Mr. Cornwall is a leading man of affairs in the village of Alexan- dria Bay, promoting to the best of his ability numerous enterprises which have as their ultimate aim the development of the resources of that section of the state. While a resident of Fenton, Michigan, he joined a lodge of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, in 1873, and served as deacon of the same. He was granted a demit card, and since his residence in New York state has been a member of Alexandria Lodge, of which his father was a charter member. He was formerly a member of Genesee Chapter of Fenton, and secretary of same, but took a demit card to hold membership in Theresa Chapter; he was also a member of Genesee Council. He is now a member of Watertown Commandery No. 1I, K. T .; and also of Media Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Foresters, being a charter member of Court No. 55, of Alexandria Bay, in which he has been chief ranger. He is a regular attendant at the services of the Dutch Reformed church, to the support of which he contributes liberally.
On July 18, 1879, Mr. Cornwall married Idenella Ellen Hirst. daughter of Edward W. and Cornelia (Stewart) Hirst. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, charter member and trustee of the Holland Library of Alexandria Bay, member of the
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Eastern Star, and president of the Ladies' Guild of the Episcopal church. Akid Hirst, grandfather of Mrs. Cornwall, was a native of England, and after his emigration to America located at Rochester, New York, where he was engaged in milling. Subsequently he removed to Fenton, Genesee county, Michigan, where he followed the same line of trade, being the proprietor of a mill. His death occurred in Fenton, Michigan, at the age of eighty years, and his wife. Ellen Hirst, died in Rochester, New York, aged twenty-eight years. Edward W. Hirst, father of Mrs. Cornwall, was born in Yorkshire, England, and when two years of age came with his parents to this country. He followed the occupation of milling in Fenton, Michigan, achieving a fair degree of success. During the period of the civil war he enlisted his services in behalf of his adopted country. He died at Fenton, Michigan, aged seventy-three years. His wife, Cordelia ( Stewart) Hirst, was born in Fayetteville, Chenango county, New York, daughter of Horace and Milinda (Park) Stewart, who were the parents of three children-Cordelia, widow of Edward W. Hirst ; Merton, a resident of Flint, Michigan ; and George, deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Hirst were the parents of four children, three of whom are living at the present time ( 1904) : Mrs. Cornwall, John H., a resident of Holly. Michigan : and Mrs. Charles Fillingham, a resident of Fenton, Michigan, where their mother now resides. Malinda ( Park) Stewart, maternal grandmother of Mrs. Cornwall, was a daughter of George and Hannah (Worden) Park, the latter named having been a daughter of Walter and Lucretia (Hakes) Worden. Walter Worden was a soldier in the revolutionary war. He served as private in Captain Eldridge's company, First Regiment Connecticut Line, from June I, 1777, to Jannary I, 1778; place of enlistment, Stonington, Connecticut. He enlisted again at Hopkinton, Rhode Island. in Captain Joshua Babcock's company, Colonel John Topham's regiment, and served as private from July 16 to August 16, 1778, and then 'as sergeant in a company commanded by Lieutenant Andrew Stanton, in Colonel Top- ham's regiment, from January 16 to March 16, 1779. He was ensign in Captam Odell's company, Sixth Albany county (New York) regi- ment, Colonel Van Rensselaer, as shown by the New York State Archives, page 521. In the War of 1812 he served as lieutenant in Captain Jehiel Hopping's company, Second Regiment (Duttons') New York Militia, from September 29, to November 15, 1813, and as captain in Swift and Dobbins' regiment, New York Volunteers, from April 15 to November 1, 1814, enlisting from Manheim, New York. He was
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killed in the battle of Black Rock, in 1814. Lucretia ( Hakes) Worden was the daughter of Jonathan and Hannah ( Haches) Hakes, the former named having been the son of Solomon and Anna Hakes. Solomon Hakes was born in England, January 16, 1668, and was the pioneer ancestor of the family in the United States. He married Ann Billings. of Stonington, Connecticut. Their son, Jonathan, born there in 1724, married Hannah F. Brown, of Westerly, Rhode Island. He died in 1778.
JOHN I. CORNWALL, third son of the late Andrew and Mary C. (Calhoun) Cornwall (see sketch under that heading), was born at Alexandria Bay, Jefferson county, New York, July 2, 1850. His educa- tional advantages were obtained at the common schools of his native town, at the Military Academy, Danbury, Connecticut, at Hungerford Collegiate Institute at Adams. New York, and Union Academy at Belle- ville. In 1867 he located in Fenton, Genesee county, Michigan, where for five years he was employed as a clerk in a general store conducted by Josiah Buckbee. In partnership with his brother, Charles W. Corn- wall (sketch elsewhere), they purchased the business from Mr. Buckbee and continued the management of the same five years. In 1877, upon the dissolution of the firm of Cornwall & Walton, of Alexandria Bay, they disposed of their business, returned to Alexandria Bay, and became partners in the firm of Cornwall Brothers. (See description in sketch of Hon. Andrew Cornwall, deceased.) This enormous business is so arranged that each of the brothers has a special duty to perform, John I. being known as the "outside man." attending to the freight, express, baggage, etc., on the dock. In addition to their regular extensive busi- ness the firm sell tickets, check baggage, and send express and freight to all parts of the United States.
On October 4. 1883, Mr. Cornwall married Kate Rowley, born at Camden, New York, daughter of George Rowley and Mary Carpenter Rowley, and they are the parents of one son, George R. Cornwall, a student. George Rowley. father of Mrs. Cornwall, is a retired Con- gregational minister, resides with John I. Cornwall and his wife, and although in his eighty-fifth year is well preserved. He held pastorates in Camden, Richville, Norfolk, and Carthage, all in New York state, and after ten years' service in the last named place retired from active iministerial duties. He was the father of three children: Elizabeth, who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Cornwall; Kate, aforemen- tioned as the wife of John I. Cornwall: and Minnie, wife of Harry E.
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Ealer, who has charge of the Magnetic Iron Ore Mines at Benson Mines, New York.
Mr. Cornwall has always taken as active and prominent part in Masonic circles, and is now a member of Alexandria Bay Lodge. He was formerly a member of Fentonville Lodge, No. 109, of which he was secretary, also a member of Fentonville Chapter, No. 29, in which he held the office of captain of the host. At the present time he is affiliated with Theresa Chapter and Watertown Commandery, and has passed through ali the Scottish Rite bodies including the thirty-second degree; he is well known in this branch of the order, being the present ( 1903) master of ceremonies. He is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, a charter member, and financial secretary for twelve years, and now treas- urer. He was chief of the Fire Department two terms, resigning his incumbency in 1904. He is a director of the Thousand Island Bank of Alexandria Bay, New York. He built his present handsome and com- modious residence in 1901. He attends the Presbyterian church.
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