USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
(I) Alexander Wilson came from Londonderry, Ireland, to Lon- donderry, New Hampshire, soon after the first settlement there in 1719. He was a native of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, like all his neighbors. He settled on a farm in South Range, known as the Alexis Proctor place, now owned by a Mr. Palmer. This was one of the "exempted farms," and on account of his heroic service at the siege of London- derry. Ireland, in 1688-89, was exempted from taxation as long as the colony remained under British rule. He died there March 4, 1752, aged ninety-three years.
( II) James, son of Alexander Wilson, was born in Ireland in . 1680, and came with his father to America, succeeding to the paternal farm here. He married Janet Taggart, who died January 12, 1800,
1
315
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
aged ninety-seven years. They had thirteen children, all born in Lon- donderry, New Hampshire, as follows: Agnes, August 2, 1728; George, June 19, 1730; Alexander, May 5, 1731; James, May 15, 1733; Mary, February 5, 1735; Janet, April 20, 1737; John, January 23, 1739; Samuel (died young, 1742) ; Annis, September 25, 1743; Margaret, August 13, 1744; Eleanor, January 23, 1746; Samuel, March 13, 1747; George, June 19, 1748. The second was killed, before man- hood, in a grist mill.
(III) George, the youngest child of James and Janet (Taggart) Wilson, born 1748, as above noted, settled near Bissell's Camp, in the northern part of Windham, adjoining Londonderry, New Hampshire. He married Janet, daughter of Alexander Simpson, who was born Jan- uary 22, 1750, and their children were born as follows, all in Wind- ham; Alexander, January II, 1775; James, August 2, 1776; Jannet, April II, 1778; Samuel, January 22, 1780; John Lindsay, November 4, 1781: Joseph, November 23, 1783 (settled in Vermont) ; Benjamin, October 14, 1785 (lived in Chelsea, Massachusetts). The eldest oc- cupied the paternal homestead, and died March 16, 1861, in Lowell, Massachusetts. The second, third and fourth sons removed to the northern part of the town of Rutland, then part of Watertown, New York, in 1801-02.
(IV) Samuel Wilson, third son and fourth child of George and Janet (Simpson) Wilson, was born January 22, 1780, as above noted, and was twenty-two years old when he came to Jefferson county. He settled in Rutland Hollow, then a part of the town of Watertown, and at once began clearing his land and carved out a home in the wilder- ness, enduring all the hardships and privations common to the pioneers of that day. He possessed the qualities necessary in a successful pioneer, having strong determination, industry and prudence in man- agement, and became one of the prosperous farmers of this section. He died in Rutland, at the age of fifty-six years.
Mr. Wilson was married about 1805 to Susan Tamblin, and their children were as follows: William Harris and Henry, both further mentioned below; Samuel, February 15, 1811, married Lucy Wood- ward November 11, 1840, died April 3, 1884; Benjamin, March 18, 1813, married Mahala Wardsworth November 17, 1835. Mr. Wilson married (second) December 20, 1813, Copea Wakefield, and their children were: Mary, born January 8, 1815, married Elisha Wake- field September 16, 1839; Charles, August 19, 1820, died March 26,
316
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
1900; Susan, March 6, 1822, died unmarried : Laura J. May 8, 1824, married Edwin C. White November 14. 1842.
(V) William Harris Wilson, eldest child of Samuel and Susan (Tamblin) Wilson, was born March 4. 1807, in the town of Rutland, and was reared on the farm of his father, remaining at home until he attained his majority, receiving such education as the common school of his home district afforded. He purchased a farm near his father. and throughout his active life continued tilling it. He was a respected citizen, trusted with the administration of town offices, and esteemed as a man of moral worth. He was a member of the First Baptist church of Watertown, in which he served many years as trustee and deacon. In early life he was a Democrat in politics, but espoused the cause of freedom and affiliated with the Republican party from its in- ception until his death. He acted as road commissioner and assessor of his town, and no aspersions were ever cast on his integrity.
Mr. Wilson was married April 19. 1834. to Freelove Woodward, daughter of Ebenezer and Amy (Vebber) Woodward. She was born April 19, 1808. in the town of Rutland. Following is a brief account of their children: Lycurgus A., born 1836, lived to the age of two and one-half years. William Harris, December 20, 1838, is noticed at length later. Frank Ebenezer receives further mention below. Louisa E., born September 28. 1845, married Orrin E. Carter, and was the mother of three children. Augusta married C. M. Frink, and resides in Watertown. Leon E. is assistant manager of the Palmer House, in Chicago. Louisa E. married Fred E. Slater and resides in Water- town.
William H. Wilson, father of the above family, died November 15. 1887, well along in his eighty-first year. His wife passed away De- cember 21, 1890, near the close of her eighty-second year.
(V) Henry Wilson, son of Samuel and Susan (Tamblin) Wil- son, was born in the town of Rutland, Jefferson county, New York, July 6. 1808. His education was received in the common schools of his native town. He remained with his father until he arrived at the age of manhood, when he began for himself by working out on a farm for thirteen dollars a month until he accumulated sufficient money to pur- chase a small farm in the town of Philadelphia. Stone county. Here he began farming for himself, and by purchasing at different times accumulated a fine farm of over three hundred acres, and became one of the leading farmers in his town. Here he resided until 1864. when
317
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
he removed to Watertown, where he purchased a fine farm which is now occupied by his son, Henry S. Wilson. While a resident of the town of Philadelphia, this county, he, with his brother-in-law, Edwin White, operated a distillery in Watertown for a number of years under the firm name of White & Wilson.
In religious belief he was a Universalist, and was a diligent stu- dent of the Bible. He was a man respected and beloved by his many friends in Jefferson county.
He married, March 13, 1836, Nancy Clarke, daughter of Samuel and Martha (Waite) Clarke. She was born November 28, 1813, and died January 22, 1862. Their children were: Cornelia, born August 16, 1839, married Sidney Keyes: she died January 24, 1882. Charles B., born December 14, 1841, resides in town of Philadelphia, and is a farmer. Edwin, born December 17, 1842, resides in the village of Philadelphia, and is a retired farmer. Francis, born March 9, 1844, proprietor of a hotel in the village of Philadelphia. Irvin, born March 21, 1846, resides in Hellena, California. Amelia, born May 26, 1848, died April 27, 1890.
His second marriage occurred December 18, 1863, to Sarah N. Clarke, a sister of his first wife. There were no children by this mar- riage. He died at the home where his son Henry Samuel now resides, March 25, 1872. His wife died May 12, 1884.
Henry Samuel Wilson, son of Henry and Nancy (Clarke) Wil- son, was born in the town of Philadelphia, Jefferson county, New York, November 23, 1849. His education was secured in the public schools of his native town, and at the high school of the city of Watertown. He remained with his father and assisted him in conducting his extensive farm in the town of Watertown, where his father located in 1864, when the son was fourteen years of age. Here he has remained, carrying on the farm successfully, to the present time. He is a member of Watertown Grange No. 7. Mr. Wilson is one of the representative citizens of his town, and holds the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen.
He married, December 15, 1875, Emma Isadora Clarke, born in Diana, Lewis county, New York. She was born July 17, 1854, daugh- ter of Horace and Maria (Palmer) Clarke. Her father was a farmer, born in the town of Le Ray, Jefferson county, New York, April 13, 1812. His second wife was born July 21, 1823. They were married
315
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
September 26, 1844. He died November 22, 1896, and she died October 18, 1887.
Her father, Horace Clarke, was married (first) January 8, 1835, to Rachel Roberts, who was born February 7, 1815, and died February 5, 1843. Their children were: Orin Perry, born October 14, 1835, died June 20, 1897. George Washington, born November 23, 1837, resides in the town of Philadelphia, Jefferson county, New York, and is a farmer. Zelotes, born July 12, 1840, moved to Wisconsin. Horace Clarke's second marriage occurred September 26, 1844, to Mira Palmer. Their children were Charles Eugene, born March 8, 1849, resides in Diana, Lewis county, New York. Ferdinand De Witt, born July 4, 1851, resides at Benson Mines, St. Lawrence county ; and Emma Isadora, born July 17, 1854.
Samuel Clarke, father of Horace Clarke, married Martha Waite. James Clarke, father of Samuel Clarke, was born in England, and was a sea captain, and is supposed to have settled in Rhode Island.
(VI) Frank Ebenezer Wilson, third son and child of William H. and Freclove (Woodward) Wilson, was born June 6, 1843, on the homestead in Rutland, which he now owns, and which has been a cen- tury in the family, covering three generations. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and of the city of Watertown, was early accustomed to farm labor, and assisted his father, caring for his parents in their old age, ultimately succeeding to the ownership of the homestead. He continued in agricultural pursuits until the year 1890, when he removed to the city of Watertown and engaged in the whole- sale jobbing of salt. For nine years he continued successfully in this trade, doing a very extensive business, often making single sales of hundreds of carloads. Since 1899 he has operated with advantage to himself in real estate, and acts as loan agent for the Philadelphia Loan and Trust Company, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His territory covers the six northern counties of this state, and lie has loaned in that field large sums of money in the aggregate for his principal. Mr. Wil- son affiliates with Watertown Lodge No. 49, and Watertown Chapter No. 59, of the Masonic order ; and is a member of Watertown Grange. Number 7, of which he has been secretary for the past nineteen years, being assisted by his wife in discharging the duties of that position. He is not governed by partisan rule, and acts upon his individual judg- ment in the exercise of the franchise.
Mr. Wilson was married January 17, 1872, to Fanny Mary Potter,
319
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
daughter of Benjamin F. and Rachel A. Potter, of Lewis county, New York ( see Potter). She was born August 17, 1847, in West Turin, and is the mother of two children, namely: Myrtle L. and Carrie Florence. The latter died December 29, 1892, at the age of ten years. Myrtle L. Wilson was born September 28, 1876, in Rutland, and became the wife of Charles B. Parsons, manager and agent of the Associated Press at Watertown. Their children are: Bernice E., born September 26, 1896, and Wayne Wilson, June 6, 1898. The latter celebrates his birthday with his maternal grandfather, whose anniversary occurs on the same date.
Frank Ebenezer Wilson is one of Watertown's strong and influ- ential citizens, one whose honor and business integrity are universally acknowledged, and a worthy representative of a strong ancestry, noted through centuries for unimpeachable integrity, and all the homely vir- tues of Christian character.
(V) Samuel (2) Wilson, third son and child of Samuel (1) and Susan (Tamblin) Wilson, was born February 15, 18II, in Rutland, and attended the school adjacent to his native home. On attaining manhood he purchased the second farm above his father's and con- tinued to live upon and till it until 1849. For some years succeeding this date he lived on and tilled the Woodworth farm at East Water- town, and his last days were passed upon the James Wilson farm in Rutland, where he was retired from active labor, and where his death occurred April 3, 1884. He was baptized in 1858, and continued a faithful member of the Watertown Baptist church from that time, serv- ing for many years as deacon. His wife became a member of the same society in 1840 by letter from the Rutland North church. Mr. Wilson was a member of Watertown Grange, and served as its treasurer for several years. He was a Whig in politics for some years, and joined the Republican party upon its formation. While not a politician, he recognized the responsibilities of citizenship, and performed such public duties as seemed to devolve upon him, acting for some time as road commissioner of the town of Watertown.
He was married November 11, 1840, to Lucy Woodward, who was born February 4, 1816, daughter of James and Lucy ( Otis) Wood- ward. She died March 7, 1893. in the city of Watertown, at the resi- dence of her daughter, Mrs. George F. Dressor.
Samuel Wilson (2) was a worthy representative of his Scotch ancestry-temperate, prudent, consistent, thoughtful, and honorable to-
320
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
ward all mankind. He was a man of the deepest Christian convictions, tempered with that love which reflects sunshine over all. As a citizen, he was of the best type, a supporter of all measures for the betterment of town, state and nation. As a husband and father he was kind, true and loving. His children were: Melvin Samuel, Hellen Lucy, Herbert James, Walter Monroe, Josephine Elizabeth, Mary Bell and Eva Lo- retta. The fifth and seventh died unmarried.
(VI) Melvin Samuel Wilson was born November 18, 1841, and died late in December, 1902: in southeastern California. He married Alice Dickerson, who died March 8, 1888. Their only child, Clinton Lewis Wilson, resides in Los Gatos, California.
(VI) Helen Lucy Wilson was born February 7, 1843, and was married July 26. 1866, to George F. Dressor. (See Dressor, VIII).
(VI) Herbert James Wilson was born August 29, 1845, and died January 9, 1888. He was married July 2, 1871, to Vesta Brown, and they were the parents of a daughter, Grace.
(VI) Walter Monroe Wilson was born December 25, 1847, and resides in Watertown, North Dakota. He was married October 26, 1878. to Clara E. Kimler, of Leroy, Illinois, and they have a daughter, Eva Florence, born July 2, 1882.
(VI) Mary Bell Wilson was born February 17, 1852, and was married February 28, 1872, to Starr H. Thomson. They resided in Rutland Hollow, where Mr. Thomson died April 27, 1903, leaving, beside his widow, three daughters, Lena Bell, Ina May and Clara Jessie. The first married Frank M. Churchill, a farmer of South Rutland, and they have two sons, Earl Baxter and Neil Starr. Ina May Thomson married Wilbur Wadsworth. and resides in Rutland Hollow. Clara Jessie Thomson became the wife of Charles Howard, and died Decem- ber 10. 1900, in Rutland Hollow, leaving a son, Arthur.
POTTER. This is a name whose representatives have borne their part in the settlement and development of this Nation, beginning with the early colonial period and extending over the entire history of the United States. The name has been borne to high places in the church, the halls of legislation, at the bar and on the bench, in literature, the arts and sciences, and wherever their country needed them in time of peace or war. The pioneer annals of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey teem with this name. Sir Robert Potter visited
321
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
this continent in 1634, and, with his associates, gave the name to War- wick, Rhode Island, from his home county in England.
(I) George Potter, born in England, was among the early set- tlers of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where he died in middle life. His widow married Nicholas Niles.
(II) Abel, son of George Potter, married Rachel Warner, daugh- ter of John and Priscilla Warner, April 11, 1669. He died in 1692.
(III) John, son of Abel and Priscilla ( Warner) Potter, was born in 1680, at Warwick, Rhode Island, and was married February 19, 1702, to Joan Dearborn. He died in 1770, aged ninety years.
(IV) Joseph, son of John and Joan (Dearborn) Potter, was born in 1815, in Coventry, Rhode Island, and died in 1785, aged seventy years. He was married September 1I, 1742, to Freelove Bennett, who was born in 1723.
(V) Samuel, son of Joseph and Freelove (Bennett) Potter, was born May 24, 1745, in Coventry, Rhode Island, and married (first) Lydia Matteson, who died in 1812. He married (second) Mary Jack- SO11.
(VI) Joseph, son of Samuel and Lydia (Matteson) Potter, was born March 16, 1775, in Coventry, and was married February 1, 1795, to Phebe Adams. She was born in 1775, and died in 1859. He died January 28, 1858, at Floyd, New York. He was a man of fine pres- ence, being over six feet tall, and engaged in agriculture in Floyd. He possessed commanding intellect, as well as physique, and exercised a large influence in his vicinity.
(VII) Benjamin Franklin Potter, son of Joseph and Phebe (Adams) Potter, was born September 29, 1817. in Floyd, New York, and received a good education. For many years he was engaged in teaching, and subsequently settled in West Turin. Lewis county, where he engaged in farming and hop culture until his death, February 23, 1883. He was an attendant of the Universalist church, and was a Democrat in politics. He served many years as assessor and supervisor of his town, and took great interest in education, serving long as trustee of his school district. He enjoyed the respect of his townsmen for his faithfulness as an official and his high character as a man.
Mr. Potter was married March II. 1846, to Rachel A. Case, daugh- ter of Pardon C. and Marcia (Salmons) Case. She is now living, and resides on the homestead in West Turin, with three of her children. Brief mention of all her children follows: Fannie Mary Potter, born
21
322
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
August 16, 1848, in Turin, was married January 17, 1872, to Frank E. Wilson, a prosperous business man of Watertown, New York (see Wilson). Emmett Eugene, born February 16, 1850, in Turin, resides on the homestead where he was born. Marshall Ney, born October 4, IS51. was married December 20, 1882. to Mary Rees, who is now de- ceased. He married for his second wife, Clara Allen. Flora A., born November 22, 1853, was married December 16, 1874, to Charles Cro- foot. Frank A., born February 3, 1856, was married in March, 1885, to Minnie E. Allen, and died in 1890. Samuel C., born February 28, 1858, married Nellie Allen. Ida M. L., born December 20, 1860, resides with her mother, unmarried. Alice M., born July 8, 1863, resides on the homestead, also unmarried.
GAMBLE. This name has been for a considerable period identi- fied with the manufacturing interests of Jefferson county, and is de- scended from Scotch-Irish ancestors. The first of whom record is now found, William Gamble, was a native of New Hampshire, and had a family of thirteen children. One of these, John Gamble, was born May 7. 1809, at Greenwich. Washington county, New York, and is now a resident of West Camden, this state, aged ninety-five years. He came to that town when a young man, engaged in farming, and there married. January 12, 1836, Sophronia Curtis, a native of the town, daughter of Ambrose Curtis, who was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut. Mrs. Sophronia Gamble was born April 17, 1815, in Camden, and passed away in April, 1903, at her home in West Camden.
John Wesley. eldest child of John and Sophronia Gamble, was born April 11, 1837, on his father's farm, in the town of Florence. Oneida county, New York, where he grew up and was educated, in the public schools. He remained with his father until twenty years old. and then began his railroad career as assistant to his uncle, Leverett Munson, station agent at West Camden, and succeeded him in 1858. as station agent of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad in his native place, from which position he was promoted, in 1862, to that of assistant freight agent, with headquarters at Watertown. In 1868 he bought a home on State street, and permanently settled his family in Watertown. Here he was cut off in the opening of a most promis- ing career, his death occurring May 2, 1870, at the age of thirty-three years. In the few years that he resided here he made many friends among business associates and the residents of the city. He was a
323
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
member of the Presbyterian church of Watertown, and was respected by all with whom he came in contact, for his manly worth. He was married January 11, 1859, to Mary Annis, daughter of Selden Munson, of West Camden ( see Munson 7). She now resides in Watertown. Their children were four in number, of whom the youngest, George Curtis, died in infancy. The others, Myra D., Charles Willard and Jolin Munson, reside in Watertown.
Charles Willard Gamble, elder son of John W. Gamble, was born June 12, 1864, in West Camden, and was only four years of age when he came to Watertown with his parents. At six years of age he was robbed of a father's care by the grim destroyer. He completed the course of the public schools, graduating at the age of eighteen years from the Watertown high school. Beginning business life as a clerk in the grocery store of Inglehart & Brown, he continued four years in the same store, during which period its ownership was three times changed. Having become familiar with the trade, he formed a part- nership with E. H. Bohl, which continued nearly eleven years under the title of Bohl & Gamble, in the retail grocery business. In 1897 he pur- chased an interest in the paper manufacturing business previously estab- lished by his brother, and which is described at some length in a follow- ing paragraph, covering the business history of the latter. This is now in a prosperous condition, the natural result of the industrious application and executive ability of the owners. Mr. Gamble is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and endeavors to perform his duty in promoting the welfare of his home community. He seeks to secure good government by voting for the principles he deems sound, those promulgated by Republican platforms, but gives no time to "prac- tical politics."
Mr. Gamble was married February 19, 1900, to Miss Jessie F. Becker, who was born October 24, 1862, at Three-Mile Bay, a daughter of Calvin H. and Barbara E. (Klock) Becker, descendants of old Dutch families of central New York, and now residing at Pulaski, this state. Two children complete the family of Mr. Gamble, namely, Barbara Annis and Calvin Wesley.
Calvin H. Becker is one of the old-time lake navigators, having sailed at the age of eighteen years. He continued in this line of life forty-three consecutive seasons, and during thirty-six of them was captain of the crafts upon which he sailed.
John Munson Gamble, second son and third child of John W. and
3:24
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
Mary .A. Munson) Gamble, was born March 28, 1866, in West Cam- den, and was but two years old when he came with his parents to Water- town, and was only four years of age when death deprived him of a father. Reared by a mother of sterling character, embodying the traits of a long line of worthy ancestors, he was well grounded in the virtues of the New England people. His education was supplied by the public schools of Watertown, and he left school at the age of seventeen years to enter upon a business career which has proven most successful. His first employment was in a lumber yard, and on arriving at his majority he engaged in the purchase and shipment of hay to the large markets. In 1891 he entered the office of C. R. Remington & Son, in Watertown, manufacturers of paper, to acquaint himself with the business. In the following year he was associated with C. H. Remington in forming the Brownville Paper Company, and they leased (afterward purchas- ing ) the plant of the Siouski Paper Company, at the north end of the Black river bridge, in Brownville village. Here they commenced the production of fine paper and specialties, and were highly successful. This is one of the most notable factory buildings in the village. It is believed by many residents that the row of stone buildings on the street leading to the bridge was erected by the government for barracks during the war of 1812, but this is unfounded. It is no mistake, how- ever, to believe that the Brownville Paper Company, consisting of C. H. Remington and J. Munson Gamble, conducted a flourishing business in these buildings. The company was incorporated March 6, 1893, with C. II. Remington as president and treasurer, and J. M. Gamble as sec- reiary. Subsequently, Mr. S. A. Upham purchased Mr. Remington's interest, and in 1897 Charles Willard Gamble became a partner. In that year the new management acquired by purchase the plant and business of the Globe Paper and Fibre Company, on the south side of the river, which was operated very successfully, in connection with the other plant, until it was consumed by fire, in December, 1900. In the spring of 1901 the Gamble brothers sold out their interest in the Brownville Paper Company and organized the Brownville Board Company, with J. Munson Gamble as president, and C. Willard Gamble as secretary and treasurer. The building erected by them on the former site of the fibre plant is one of the finest establishments of its kind in the county, and their business is in a flourishing condition.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.