USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 54
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MARIETTA HOLLEY, who as author of the "Samantha" volumes, by "Josiah Allen's Wife," is known to delighted thousands in all parts of the United States, is a native of Jefferson county. She was the young- est in a family of six children. Her father, John Holley, was a farmer, living on the road between Adams and Pierrepont Manor, the present home of Miss Holley, and where she was born. Five generations of the Holley family have dwelt in that same spot.
Miss Holley began her studies in the neighborhood schools, and
Manella Volley
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pursued advanced branches at home, taking instruction in French and music from private teachers. She excelled in the latter art, and for some years was known as a capable teacher of the piano. She also devel- oped a talent for painting, and had dreams of becoming an artist. Her early school books were covered with faces and bits of landscape. Her taste for literature, however, proved her governing passion, and led to her devoting the major part of her time to her pen. In 1873 she pub- lished her first volume, "My Opinions and Betsy Bobbett's," and it proved a success at the outset, encouraging her to efforts which have made her naine familiar not only throughout the country, but also abroad. She subsequently published "My Wayward Partner," "Miss Richards's Boy," and "The Mormon Wife," the last-named an illus- trated poem. Her fame chiefly rests, however, upon the world-famous "Samantha" volumes-"Samantha at the Centennial," 1876; "Samantha at Saratoga," "Samantha Among the Brethren," "Sweet Cicely," "Sa- mantha Among the Colored Folks," "Samantha at the World's Fair," and "Samantha at the St. Louis Exposition." She also published a book of poems, which a good many critical judges pronounced her best work. The commendations which have been bestowed upon her writings have been profuse and cordiai, and among her admirers are numbered many of the litterateurs of the country. Benson J. Lossing, the historian, said : "Like Cervantes, who set Europe a-laughing the tomfooleries of chivalry out of existence; like Whittier, who dismissed a barbarous law from our statute books by the burning words of his 'Prisoner for Debt;' like Mrs. Stowe, who pierced the heart of slavery with her pen-Miss Holley's books are doing in a quiet way a great work for the promotion of needed social reforms." Bishop Newman pronounced her books "An antidote for the blues ; a tonic for mental prostration ; a provocation for wholesome laughter, and an inspiration to Godliness." And Whittier, the genial Quaker poet, paid her the following excellent tribute: "With the wit and wisdom ot Josiah Allen's wife I have long been familiar. I read thy beautiful poem, 'The Deacon's Daughter,' with moist eyes; it is perfect." Abroad her works have been favorably reviewed by some of the first literary journals in England-the London Literary World, the Christian Commonwealth, and the Christian Globe. Miss Holley's works have been translated into various foreign languages, and in spite of the home flavor which makes them so peculiarly delicious to an American, so abound in homely philosophy, delicate humor, keen
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satire and healthful pathos, that their lessons are deeply impressed and carry without loss of effect.
Miss Holley's home, near Adams, is one of the most beautiful home places in all the lake region. Its localized name is "Bonnie View," and its approach is known as "Garden Road." Here Miss Holley passes sev- eral months of each year, and here much of her best work has been per- formed. The grounds comprise a fine tract of seven acres, fringed with stately forest trees. The residence is entirely modern, yet of a homelike and unpretentious type. Its interior adornments are such as bespeak a highly cultivated and yet domestic taste. Here Miss Holley has been visited by men and woman of the highest types of American and foreign society-statesmen, philosophers, poets and painters-and her albums and the pictures upon the walls bear almost speaking evidence of their presence, and their appreciation for the gifted woman whom they de- light to call a friend. Far from being a woman of leisure, yet Miss Holley is unaffectedly genial and hospitable, and many who came with no other motive than a refined curiosity, have departed with an enhanced admiration for one who has sent sunshine into so many distant homes. And so the poetry of her nature finds expression not alone from her pen, but by those loving services which make her presence a benediction upon all who are brought near her.
FRANK JONAS GORDON, a popular railroad conductor resid- ing in Carthage, New York, was born December 24, 1853. in Martins- burg, Lewis county, this state, and has passed his life in this section. His grandfather, David T. Gordon, came to this country from the neigh- borhood of Edinburgh, Scotland, at the age of seventeen years, and set- tled at Martinsburg. He died there about 1832, aged over sixty years. A millwright by trade, he found ample occupation in the vicinity of his home. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife, Emily Carter, was born at Lowville, her parents coming from Massachusetts. Among the early settlers of Massachusetts was Rev. Thomas Carter. the first settled minister at Woburn, and most of the name in this country were descended from him. Mrs. Gordon survived her husband, and reached the age of eighty-seven years. They had six sons and a daugh- ter. The eldest of these, Carter Gordon, lived the last forty-five years of his life at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Solon died in Lowville in 1901. Milton C. was the third. Cyrus died in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Frank Carter died in 1901. in Lincoln, Nebraska. Andrew Jackson is now a
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resident of Lowville. Alvina E. married Alvin T. Rice, who has main- tained a stock ranch at Reno, Nevada, for more than forty years.
Milton Carter Gordon was born October 10, 1823, at Martinsburg, and died October 3. 1894. He lived all his life near Lowville, in the town of Martinsburg, having a farm of four hundred acres upon which he maintained a dairy of sixty cows and raised hops for forty years. He was married there to Mchitabel, daughter of Jonas and Sarah (Greene) Henry, of Massachusetts, who died September 11, 1877. He was a Presbyterian, and a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter at Lowville. He was an abolitionist, and like all his family a Republican. The subject of this sketch is the eldest, and only survivor, of his four sons. Frederick Andrew, the second, was killed by a fall from a high building at Salt Lake City in 1891. Henry Hamilton died at the age of three years, and Clinton at twenty-one.
Frank J. Gordon grew up on the farm in Martinsburg, attending the local district school and Martinsburg Institute. After attending Oberlin College, Ohio, for two years, he was compelled to abandon his studies by the illness of his father, being then in his twentieth year. He entered the railroad office at Lowville as clerk, and learned telegraphy there and in the Carthage office, spending three years in this way. He then went upon the road as brakeman, and after five months of this serv- ice, was promoted to conductor en a passenger train, in which capacity he has continued since July 10, 1876. All of his service has been given on the Utica division of the R. W. & O. Railroad. He is next to the oldest employe on that division, and the third oklest on any branch of that road. He has made his home in Carthage since coming here as clerk in the station. In 1885 he built his handsome home on School street, on a lot purchased from the school district, occupied previous to the great fire of 1884 by a school building. He is a Free Mason of high degree, affiliat- ing with Carthage Lodge and Chapter, Watertown Commandery. Knights Templar, Mecha Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of the same city, and Utica Council. He is also a member of the Mechanical Engineers' Club of Syracuse, of the Order of Railway Conductors, and of the Episcopal church at Carthage. In politics, he is a Republican.
Mr. Gordon was married September 4, 1877, to Miss Lily Owen, who was born in the town of Wilna, near Carthage, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Burns) Owen, old residents here. One son has been given to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, namely : Rea Milton, born May 26, 1882. He graduated at the Carthage High School and pursued a four-years' course
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at tlie Clarkson School of Technology at Potsdam, New York, gradu- ating in 1903. and is now a member of the American Society of Mechan- ical Engineers, and is employed by the Solvay Company at Syracuse, under the special designer, large manufacturers of mechanical appliances, with factories at Detroit. Syracuse and in Pennsylvania.
CHARLES GREGORY, an old-time business man of Carthage, has operated on the same site for more than forty-two years in the manu- facture and repairing of wagons and sleighs and kindred wares. His parents, John and Ann ( Bellew) Gregory, were born and lived to old age in County Meath, Ireland, where John Gregory was a weaver. In 1853 he emigrated to America with his family, and took up his residence in Watertown, this county, where he lived the remainder of his years in retirement from active labor. He died within seventeen years after his arrival, at the age of eighty-four years, and was soon followed by his widow, who was eighty-three years of age at her death. They were the parents of eight children. Alice, the first, died at the age of eight years. Christopher ched in Watertown, this county, at the age of seventy-eight years. Mary was twice married, and was the wife of Patrick Hickey at the time of her death, in Watertown. Samuel also died in that city. George resides there, being a mason builder by trade. Alice is the wife of Martin McGrevy, residing in the west, and Sarah is the widow of John Kelly, with home in Montague, New York.
Charles Gregory, youngest child of his parents, was born December 12, 1834, in Navin, County Meath, Ireland, and was in his nineteenth year when he accompanied his family to America. In the next year he began learning the blacksmith's trade with James Caldwell, of Water- town, with whom he continued two years. At the end of that period he bought out a shop at Champion "Huddle," which he conducted seven years, and his industry and attention to the interests of his patrons brought him success. In 1861, Mr. Gregory became a resident of Car- thage, and purchased the shop of C. B. Riner, on the site of his present shop, corner of Mechanic and Furnace streets, where he has ever since conducted business with satisfaction to the public and profit to himself. In the great fire of October, 1884, all his buildings were destroyed, but were immediately rebuilt, and he now has an excellent plant for his business. There was only fifteen hundred dollars of insurance on the premises at the time of the fire, and he made a determined effort to save the large number of wagons in the buildings. In the few moments
Public Square, Watertown, Looking East.
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allowed by that rapid and devastating conflagration, which destroyed a large part of the town in a few hours, he saved thirty-three of the thirty- eight wagons in the shop, but came very near paying his life as a forfeit. On his return for the thirty-sixth wagon he was overcome by smoke, and was rescued just in time to escape the flames that had licked up the buildings and remaining contents within a few minutes after.
Mr. Gregory is a faithful member of St. James's Roman Catholic church, the only society with which he is identified. In politics he is a Democrat, but does not desire any official honors. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Margaret Monaghan, who was born in County Down, Ireland, and died February 22. 1881, aged forty-six years and seven months. She was the mother of five children. The eldest. Alice A., born February 8. 1861, is the wife of Frederick Hickey, and resides at Passaic, New Jersey. Mary A., born March 1. 1863. died when eighteen years old. Fanny. March 25. 1866, is the widow of William Bellen, and resides with her father. Charles John, April 12, 1868, resides at Passaic, and George Edward, born March 3. 1877, died May 8, 1886.
THOMAS COLLINS, a native of the town of Wilna, has lived ali his life in and near Carthage, where he is now passing quietly the evening of his days. His parents, Jolin and Catherine (McCormick) Collins, were born in County Meath, Ireland, where they grew up and married, and had two children before coming to America. John Col- lins was a brewer by trade, and decided to seek his fortune across the ocean, where so many of his compatriots have found homes and inde- pendent life. In 1808 he sailed from his native land, and soon found employment in Wallingford, Vermont. He continued four years in that state, in the same occupation, and then settled in this county. He bought eighty acres of land three-fourths of a mile from the present village of Carthage, on Alexandria Road, and proceeded to clear and till it. His boys soon came to be his able assistants, and all were known as good choppers. A fine farm was developed, and on it Mr. Collins continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1875, at the age of ninety- two years. His wife died in 1876, one year later, aged eighty-nine years. They were among the first members of St. James's Roman Cath- olic church, with which they remained faithful members through life. Mr. Collins did not take much part in political affairs, but never failed to express his choice by voting the Democratic ticket. Their children are briefly mentioned as follows: Mary, the eldest. married Patrick
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Fitzsimmons, and lived in Wilna, where she died at the age of eighty- four years. Patrick died July 10, 1903, aged eighty-nine. John died in Wilna when seventy-one years old. Catherine died, unmarried, at the age of thirty-two years. Thomas is the fifth. Andrew died of typhoid fever many years ago. Ann died when a young lady, unmar- ried.
Thomas Collins was born November 16, 1825, on the farm on Alex- andria road, where he grew up. Beside attending the district school, he attended the Carthage Academy two terms, and left school when sixteen years old. His has been an industrious life, and he took a man's place in farm labor on leaving school, and at intervals before that. He remained with his parents, for whom he cared in their old days, and became possessor of the farm, doubling its acreage. He continued to manage the farm, though living in Carthage for the last twenty-five years, until 1891, and soon after sold it. He purchased a home at the corner of Church and Furnace streets, where he now resides.
Mr. Collins was associated with A. E. Kilby, M. P. Mason and George B. Phelps in the formation of the Empire Steam Pump Com- pany, which did a large business for several years at Carthage, estab- lishing the plant now occupied by the Adirondack Machine Works. Mr. Collins acted chiefly in the capacity of salesman, and was very successful in keeping the plant busy for five years. He is an independent thinker, and takes an intelligent interest in current events and the National his- tory. He has a pride in his native country, and is an enthusiastic Amer- ican. For a short time he acted with the Republican party, but is now an earnest advocate of Democratic principles. He served some years on the village excise board and as collector, but does not seek office for himself, though ever ready to assist his friends.
Mr. Collins was married January 1, 1857, to Miss Rosanna Kenna, a native of Wilna, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Kenna, whose farm was near his father's. Michael Kenna was born in Kings county, Ireland, as was his wife, Elizabeth Bowen. They came to America in 1849, and settled on Alexandria road in 1852, and died there. Mrs. Collins died March 17, 1888, aged fifty-six years. Both she and her husband were among the active members of St. James's church, in which he remains a faithful communicant.
Following is an account of their children: Joseph P. is a resident of Seattle, Washington. Mary A. is the wife of Charles G. Keenan, residing in Watertown, this county. Ambrose A. was thirteen years
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head bookkeeper of the First National Bank of Carthage, and is now .in Seattle. Elizabeth C. married Edward Sherry, with whom she resides in Boston. Lucy Maria is Mrs. John Whaling (q. v.), of Carthage. Andrew T. was a citizen of San Francisco, California, now of Seattle, Washington. Helen resides with her father. Fanny Alice is a teacher of music in a conservatory at Seattle. Antoinette is the wife of Edward McGovern, a merchant of Carthage.
ABRAHAM VROOMAN. One of the progressive and successful farmers of the town of Champion, Abraham Vrooman was born not far from liis present residence, the paternal homestead being located in the town of Denmark, Lewis county. His grandfather, Abraham Vrooman, son of AAbraham, lived at Cherry Valley, New York, where the Dutch ancestors of the family were among the first settlers. Soon after the beginning of the last century, Abraham Vrooman, junior, came to the town of Denmark and took up one hundred acres of land and began its improvement. Owing to his death in 1813, at the age of about fifty years, the land was not paid for, and his family lost it. His wife, Cath- erine Meickley, was a daughter of William Merckley, who was killed by Indianis at the battle of Oriskany. They had three sons, William, John and Adam; and two daughters, Nancy and Angeline. The former married Oliver Smith, and lived in the town of Denmark. The latter became the wife of John Lasher, and lived near Natural Bridge, in the town of Diana.
John Vrooman was born July 9, 1797, at Cherry Valley, and was only sixteen years old at the time of his father's death. He had little opportunity to attend school, but became a capable business man, and commanded the respect of his contemporaries. He experienced many hardships in common with the rest of the family, on account of his father's early death, but did not repine, and set to work to make a home and naine for himself. He worked by the month for farmers and saved his earnings, so that he was able to buy the land on which his son Jacob now lives, some three miles from Carthage, in the town of Denmark. This he cleared by his own labor, going to the woods in summer with a lunch of bread and milk, and working through the long and hot days at his self-appointed task. By patient industry he accumulated a large property, and owned at one time seven hundred acres of land in the towns of Denmark and Champion. This he distributed among his sons in 1865, and all are now prosperous citizens of the vicinity. He attended
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strictly to Ins own business, and never sought for opportunity to manage public affairs. A reader and intelligent observer of events, he supported the Democratic party until it espoused the issues which brought on civil war, and after that was a Republican. He was a zealous member of the Congregational church at West Carthage, and was treasurer of the society and one of the five trustees that erected the present house of worship belonging to it. He died August 7, 1877, and was buried in West Carthage Cemetery. He was married February 24, 1825, to Margaret Boshart, who was born August 21, 1800, and died September 20, 1837. She left a daughter Elizabeth, and son Jacob. The former died at the age of nineteen years, and the latter now resides upon the paternal homestead, near Carthage. On June 19, 1838, Mr. Vrooman was married to Maria Ehle, who was born November 4, 1802, in Maple- town, Montgomery county, this state, daughter of Jacob and Jennie ( Van Every) Ehle, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Dutch deseent, who lived and died at Mapletown. This marriage resulted in the birth of three sons, Charles E., John Erwin, and Abraham. The first is now a resident of East Carthage, the second of Deer River, and the third is the one whose name begins this sketch. The mother of these children died December 10, 1882.
Abraham Vrooman was born August 12, 1844, on the paternal homestead in Denmark, his father's first farm. From early boyhood he was accustomed to assist in the care of the harvests, and other labors devolving upon the boy on the farm. His education was provided for by attendance first upon the district school, and later at the Carthage High school and Watertown Institute, which institution he left at the age of twenty years. In 1854 the family moved to the farm now occu- pied by Abraham Vrooman, which became his by inheritance as soon as he attained his majority. The farm embraces two hundred and fifteen acres, and is tilled with intelligence and skill by its owner. Beside main- taining a large dairy, he breeds exclusively a fine strain of Yorkshire swine, and shipping them for breeding purposes to Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and in fact nearly all states in the Union. He has also shipped four lots to Cuba. Large and convenient buildings are prepared for the comfort of his stock, and maintained in good order. In 1886 his house was destroyed by fire, and was immediately rebuilt after modern designs, making a pleasant abode for himself and family. Like his father, Mr. Vrooman seeks no political preferment, and is satisfied with the joys of his own fireside.
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Disco Then
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He sustains the Democratic party in elections, and attends the Baptist church.
He was married February 13, 1867, to Miss Flora L. Blodgett, who was born in Chaumont, this county, a daughter of William J. and Sally Ann (Henderson) Blodgett, both natives of this county, who lived and died at Chaumont. Mr. and Mrs. Vrooman have two chil- dren, Adelbert E. and Lavina C., both residing in Carthage. The for- mer married Ida Baldwin, of Lowville, and the latter is the wife of Arnie Vande Water, and has a daughter. Flora.
HON. DENNIS O'BRIEN, of Watertown, New York, an eminent lawyer. distinguished statesman, and one of the nine legal representa- tives now comprising the Court of Appeals of the State of New York, is a man of splendid intellectual attainments and nobility of character. He was born at Ogdensburg, New York, March 13, 1837.
After acquiring an excellent English education in the schools and seminaries of his native county, he began the study of law at Ogdens- burg, New York, and after passing a creditable examination was ad- mitted to the bar in May, 1861. In November of the same year he established a law office in Watertown, and there entered upon the pro- fessional career which. slowly but steadily, has given him such an enviable position in legal circles. In 1869 he was elected an alderman of his city, serving in that capacity four successive terms, and was after- ward called upon to fill the responsible position of mayor. His judicious and conscientious management of these offices gained for him the respect and confidence of the greater part of the population of the city, and in 1880 he succeeded the late James F. Starbuck as a member of the Democratic State Committee. He held this position for four years, during which time he improved every opportunity of extending his reputation for ability and fidelity beyond the bounds of his county and state, and in November. 1883, was elected attorney-general and was re-elected in November, 1885. his term of office terminating January I, 1888. The following year, as a tribute to his satisfactory public service and in a convention composed of the ablest men in his party, he was tendered the Democratic nomination for judge of the court of appeals, having been nominated with remarkable unanimity, and the nomination was ratified by the people at the ensuing election by a large majority. On January 1, 1890, he took his seat in that court for the ' constitutional term of fourteen years, and was re-elected in 1903. having
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been unanimously endorsed by both parties. He is now next to the senior member in years of service. He is outspoken and fearless in his written opinions, exerts a wonderful influence over his associates, and is untiring in energy and courageous in the performance of every obli- gation which he considers to be right and just. By genius, energy and integrity he has forged his way to the front, and won just fame and an eminent position among men.
HUGH ROBERTS, one of the self-made men of Jefferson county, New York, is a native thereof, born February 25, 1845, at Felt's Mills. His great-grandfather, Stephen Roberts, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, came to this section of the country in 1806, took up four hundred and forty acres near the present village of Philadelphia, New York, and was one of the first settlers of that town. Stephen Roberts and his wife, Jane Roberts, were the parents of five children: Daniel, Elias, Hugh, Grace, and Elizabeth.
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