USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 62
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faithfulness and capability won for himself an excellent reputation. At the age of twenty-nine, by the advice of his patron and old employer, he commenced business for himself on June 14, 1810, at Trenton, New York. His stock of goods was furnished mostly by Mr. Johnson on credit, but as his business increased steadily in volume and importance from year to year, he was enabled to repay his benefactor for his many acts of kindness, and in due course of time he became the proprietor of one of the largest and most successful mercantile establishments in that section of the state. He also owned and managed a large farm there. and was possessed of considerable capital when he came to Jefferson county. In 1818 he removed to the present site of Ox Bow, in the town of Antwerp, where he established a store and land office, having previously purchased a large tract of land in that vicinity. He con tinued in business there, as a merchant, until 1847, when he sold the store to his son, and thereafter found sufficient occupation in the care of his landed interests. After a long and eminently useful life, Mr. Cooper died February 7, 1861.
His first wife, Suzannah, was a daughter (it is supposed ) of Stephen Howell, and was the mother of his first three children. His second wife, Harriet, was a daughter of Phineas Howell, and bore him four children. The names of the seven here follow: Emeline C., Abraham, Howell, George, Nicoll J., John J. and Elias F., all of whom attained years of maturity and became useful members of society.
(VIII) HOWELL COOPER was during a long and exceed- ingly active life one of the foremost citizens of Watertown, to whose prosperity, development and prestige he contributed in marked degree.
He was born in Trenton, New York, in 1815, but was reared in Jefferson county, whither his father, Abraham Cooper, removed, locat- ing at Ox Bow, when the son was but three years of age. Having acquired such education as the neighborhood schools would afford, Howell Cooper, when nineteen, became his father's associate in a mer- cantile business at Utica, with which was connected a branch store at Hammond, in St. Lawrence county. Father and son were thus related in business for a period of five years, during which time the latter, in his frequent business visits to Watertown, made the acquaint- ance of the late Norris M. Woodruff, and of his daughter, Miss Lois P. Woodruff, to whom he was united in marriage, September 21, 1839. This happy event wrought an entire change in Mr. Cooper's life plans, and he abandoned his intention of embarking in business in Utica, to
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accept a proposal to remain in Watertown and enter into partnership with his father-in-law in the hardware business.
While industriously devoting himself to the interests of the busi- ness to which he was thus introduced, and which was largely extended through his diligence and enterprise, Mr. Cooper was at the same time drawn into intimate relations with Mr. Woodruff's personal concerns, and became his active assistant in the advancement of the many pur- poses which found their consummation in the larger upbuilding of the city of Watertown, and the promotion of the various movements which contributed thereto. However, this pleasant relationship was not to be of long continuance, being terminated by the death of Mr. Wood- ruff in 1857. The name of Woodruff is commemorated in that of the Woodruff House, erected through the enterprise of him whose name it bears. It is also a reminder of Mr. Cooper, who gave careful super- intendence to its building, as he also did to that of the Iron Block.
Mr. Cooper continued in the hardware business after the death of Mr. Woodruff, and soon associated with himself his brother. Elias F. Cooper, in the firm of H. & E. F. Cooper, which was destined to con- tinue a successful and honorable career for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury. During this time Mr. Cooper brought to the farming community and particularly to dairymen various devices and services which con- tributed largely to the importance and utility of these interests. In 1860 he began the manufacture and sale of a cheese vat and heater, for which he was granted a patent. These inventions found immediate approval, and they came into general use not only in the state of New York but throughout the dairy regions of the entire east. Mr. Cooper also conducted a dairymen's furnishing goods department, which com- manded a large patronage, many dairymen coming considerable dis- tances to lay in all needful in that line. He was also a large dealer in farm and garden seeds. One of his largest enterprises was the manu- facturing of the well known Buckeye Mower, which he began in 1864, and of which he produced as many as four hundred a year for several years.
In his relations to the community at large Mr. Cooper was ever the model citizen, devoting himself unselfishly to the service of the whole people, introducing new movements for their advantage along industrial and moral lines, and thus contributing to every worthy cause. He was a principal promoter of the Potsdam & Watertown Railroad, which, while of public importance, was considerably detrimental to
Arcole & lecoper
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him in a personally pecuniary way. He also contributed largely to the success of the Carthage Railroad, and was made one of the commis- sioners empowered io make the township subscription to its stock. Perhaps the largest single service which he rendered to his city was in promoting the establishment of the Watertown water works, in which he was a first and principal factor, and one of the incorporators of the company.
Mr Cooper was in the zenith of his powers and usefulness when in July, 1870, he was seized with an illness from which he died a few days later, July 24. The sad event was entirely unexpected, and brought a personal sorrow to the entire community. Various meetings were held to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of the worthy dead- by the general business men in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, by the merchants, the common council, by the directors of the Jefferson County National Bank and the trustees of the Jefferson County Savings Bank, and by the Young Men's Christian Association. At all these gatherings fervent evidence was borne to his high char- acter as a citizen and Christian gentleman. His record was without fault or blemish. He was the man of affairs par excellence-the master of every detail of plan and the inspirer of all whose aid he would invoke either as associate or servant. Thorough in all his work, he exacted as much from others, but for their own good and for that of the community at large, for if fault he had it was his intense public spirit which put the interests of the people first and his own last. In his home he was the ideal husband and father, and his happiest hours were those which he there passed, and where he forgot all anxieties and vexations in the sweetest companionship of his life.
The family included eight children, six of whom grew to maturity. Hattie, the eldest, is the widow of Richard E. Hungerford, of Water- town. Charles, a mute, resides in Watertown. Irene was the wife of Dr. Judd Dane, of Syracuse, and is now deceased. Addie married Dr. Theodore French, with whom she resides at Great Barrington, Mas- sachusetts. Norman died about 1894, in Watertown. Kate is the widow of Orville Hungerford, residing in Watertown. Two died in infancy.
(VIII) NICOLL JONES COOPER, fourth son and fifth child of Abraham Cooper and second son of his second wife, Harriet Howell, was born December 23, 1818, at Ox Bow, in the town of Antwerp, this county, being the first white child born on the site of the present
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village bearing that name. He received an excellent education for his time, beginning in the local district school and finishing at Fairfield Seminary, being some time a student at the public schools at Ogdens- burg. In vacations and after school at night, when at home, he was busy in assisting his father about the store and upon the large estate, thius becoming early accustomed to the transaction of business and dealing with all classes of people. After leaving school he continued to be the invaluable aid of his father, whom he ultimately succeeded in business. In March, 1847, he became the owner of the store, by purchase, and continued successfully in its conduct until 1879, when he disposed of his mercantile interests. The building in which the store was located is still a part of his estate, and its use for a store has never been discontinued. He had charge of his father's farming lands for many years, and was administrator of the estate after the father's death. He was eminently successful, both as a farmer and a merchant. and handled lands with profit. He passed away at his home at Ox Bow, February 23. 1896.
Mr. Cooper was baptized in the Protestant Episcopal church. There being no society near him after his removal to Ox Bow, he attended and supported the Presbyterian church, and was a contributor to all churches in his neighborhood. A thorough Christian, he de- sired to promote the welfare of his fellows, and was ever ready to foster any elevating influence. He was not allied with any fraternal societies, but practiced the virtues inculcated in them, and enjoyed the friendship and highest respect of a wide circle of acquaintances. Be- cause of business demands, he felt that he could not afford to assume the responsibilities of public office, but was earnest in support of his principles, acting many years with the Democratic party, and with the Prohibitionists during his last years. A strictly moral man in every relation of life, he sought to keep temptation from the weak and those who were viciously inclined. He was especially sympathetic and kind in dealing with the poor. The esteem in which he was held is indi- cated by the fact that he was often chosen to administer estates and as guardian of orphan children. He had most remarkable mathematical gifts, and was often called upon to straighten out problems for stu- dents and teachers of his section.
Mr. Cooper was married, September 17, 1846, to Miss Nancy Hinsdale, who was born June 30, 1823, at Ox Bow, daughter of Ira and Hannah ( Stephens ) Hinsdale (see Hinsdale, VI). Two children
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were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, namely: Chauncey Hinsdale and Ida Elizabeth. The latter died at the age of two years, and the former lived to be twenty-four and one-half years of age, a most competent and promising young man. He died in Louisiana, where he had a large plantation, and most flattering business prospects.
HINSDALE. This name was brought to America from Eng- land, and its representatives have been prominent and have given names to townships in several states. The descendants have filled honorable places in the social and business life of Jefferson county, and have kept untarnished the name bequeathed by worthy ancestors.
(I) Robert Hinsdale, the pioneer American ancestor, is first found of record as one of the founders of the first church at Dedham, Mas- sachusetts, November 8, 1638. He was made a freeman March 13th of the following year, and was a member of the artillery in 1645. His wife, Ann, surname supposed to be Woodward, died in middle life. He moved to Medfield, where he was active in forming a church, as early as 1672. Subsequently he lived some years at Hadley. Massachusetts. There he married his second wife, Elizabeth, widow of John Hawks. He moved to Deerfield, where he was killed by Indians while gathering corn in the field. At the same time his sons, Barnabas, John and Samuel, were slain. This occurred on the memorable date of the battle of Bloody Brook, September 18, 1675. where the flower of Essex was massacred by the red men. His widow subsequently married Thomas Dibble. Robert Hinsdale's children were: Elizabeth, Barnabas, Samuel, Gamaliel, Mary, Experience, John and Ephraim.
(II) Barnabas, eldest son and second child of Robert Hinsdale, was born November 13. 1639. in Dedham. He was married October 15, 1666, in Hadley, to Sarah White Taylor, daughter of Elder John and Mary White, of Hartford, and widow of Stephen Taylor. He had five children.
(III) Isaac, fourth child of Barnabas Hinsdale, was born Sep- tember 15, 1673, in Hatfield, Massachusetts. He was married January 6, 1714, to Lydia Loomis, born February 17, 1687, daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Drake) Loomis (see Loomis). He lived in Hartford, Connecticut, and had four children.
(IV) Jonathan, fourth child of Isaac and Lydia Hinsdale, was born March 17. 1724, in Hartford, and married Sarah Bernard, Decem- ber, 1742. She was born September 17. 1727. in Hartford. He was
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the first settler in the town of Lenox. Massachusetts, in 1750. During the French and Indian war he went to Salisbury, Connecticut, and re- turned to Lenox after that struggle was over. He died January 31, 18II, and his wife March 4, 1791, in her sixty-fourth year. She was the mother of eight children.
(V) David, second child of Jonathan and Sarah Hinsdale, was born June 30, 1754, in Salsbury, and married Farazina Bemus, who was born March 24, 1753. They lived at Lenox and in Galway and Pompey, New York. He was a farmer, and his farm in Pompey is still in possession of his descendants. His family included twelve children.
(VI) Ira, eleventh child of David and Farazina Hinsdale, was born June 6, 1797, in Pompey, and died March 24, 1882, at Ox Bow, in the town of Antwerp. He was married November 4, 1818, to Hannah, daughter of John and Ann (Woodworth) Stephens, the last- named being a daughter of Abner and Hannah (Dyer) Woodworth, of Canaan. formerly of Norfolk, Connecticut, where Hannah (Stephens) Hinsdale was born November 6, 1797. Family tradition says that John Stephens was a drummer in the Revolutionary army. Mrs. Hinsdale died November 26, 1879, at Ox Bow. Immediately after his marriage Ira Hinsdale settled in the town of Antwerp, where he cleared up a farm, and tilled it successfully many years. By industry and prudence he was enabled to add to his lands until they amounted to five hundred acres. Late in life he rented his farm and moved to the village of Ox Bow, where he purchased several acres of land, and occu- pied himself in its care until his death. He introduced Merino sheep in his locality, and realized a handsome profit from the sale of wool during and after the Civil war. He was a Universalist in religious belief, and an old-school Democrat in matters pertaining to public policy. He had five children. George, the eldest, is mentioned at length in later paragraphs. Elizabeth married Elial Gilbert Wait, lived on a farm and in a hotel at Ox Bow, and died at Theresa, while visiting a niece tliere. Nancy is the widow of Nicoll J. Cooper, residing in Ox Bow (see Cooper). David Schuyler died at Ox Bow in 1872. Helen married Moses Rich, of Richville, St. Lawrence county, whom she sur- vives and now resides in Chicago.
(VII) George, eldest child of Ira and Hannah Hinsdale, was born November 11, 1819, in Antwerp. He bought a farm adjoining that of his father, which he tilled ten years and then sold, and pur-
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chased a hotel at Rensselaer Falls, St. Lawrence county, which he kept a few years. This he sold and bought a farm in that vicinity. He was injured by a falling tree, and died from the effects of this mishap a week later, February 21, 1859, in his fortieth year. He married Harriet A. Hamlin, October 26, 1843 (see Hamlin), and they had three children. Ira Cassius, the first of these, is a merchant in Antwerp village. Flor- ence, born August 8, 1848, was married January 2, 1877, to Alexander B. Clark, a merchant of Ox Bow (see Clark). George J. is a merchant at Rensselaer Falls.
PHILIP MILLARD. In a list of those citizens of Ellisburgh who are respected alike for sound ability and strict adherence to principle at whatever cost, the name of Philip Millard would stand very high. On the paternal side he traces his descent from Huguenots, who found a refuge from religious persecution in the new world, while through his mother he is of English ancestry, and belongs to the family from which sprang Wendell Phillips, the renowned champion of freedom for the slave.
Gardner Millard was born November 10, 1797, in Rehoboth, Mass- achusetts, and about 1818 moved to Genesee county, New York, and the following year came to Ellisburgh. His trade was that of a general ma- son. He was unswerving in his devotion to what he deemed right, giving proof of this by identifying himself with the anti-slavery cause at a time when to do so required no small degree of moral courage. He married July 24, 1817, Lavina, born January 21, 1798, daughter of Abizer and Chloe (Chase) Phillips, natives of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, where their children were born. Mr. Phillips was a farmer and shoemaker, and dur- ing the war of the revolution served in the patriot army. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips moved to Ellisburgh about the same time that Mr. and Mrs. Mil- lard made their home there. They settled at Mannsville, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The death of Mrs. Phillips occurred in 1844, when she was eighty-four years old, and Mr. Phillips expired in 1856, having attained the remarkable age of ninety-six years.
Mr. and Mrs. Millard were the parents of the following children : Nathan T., born July 24, 1819, was a physician in Princeton, Wisconsin, and died April 4, 1897 ; Alpheus A., born December 7, 1821, was a farmer near Mannsville, and died April 27, 1883: Gardner J., born February 18, 1823, was a butcher and hotel keeper at Mannsville, and died September I, 1874. Abizer P., born October 15, 1825, and is now living as a farmer in Ellisburgh : Merrill M., born April 26, 1827, was a mercantile clerk in
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Watertown, where he was also employed in the county clerk's office, and died December 22, 1850; Alphonso, born January 18, 1831, and is now a farmer in Ellisburgh ; Henry A., born August 21, 1833, and died April 3. 1850; Philip, mentioned at length hereinafter; Alfred L., born June 20, 1837, was a merchant in Ellisburgh, and died November 16, 1899; Ellen E., born April 27, 1841, and died September 12, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Millard, the parents of these children, died in Ellisburgh, deeply re- gretted by the many friends by whom they were sincerely loved and re- spected.
Philip Millard, son of Gardner and Lavina ( Phillips) Millard, was born April 20, 1835. in the town of Ellisburgh, where he was educated in the common schools. He learned the tinsmith's trade in Mannsville, after which he spent four years in the west. In 1859 he returned to Ellisburgh and formed a partnership with his brother Alfred L., under the firm name of P. & A. L. Millard. As hardware and tin merchants in the village of Ellisburgh they were very successful, reaping financial profits and at the same time establishing a high reputation for integrity. In 1884 they were able to retire from business. Mr. Millard is entitled to the honorable distinction of having worked side by side with his father in the anti-slavery cause. Ile formerly affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and is a member of the Lincoln League, of Watertown. His political princi- ples are those advocated and upheld by the Republican party, in which he is an active worker, and he has served for many years as one of the town committee.
Mr. Millard married July 2, 1872, Helen M. Kibling, who was born April 16, 1842, in Ellisburgh. Mrs. Millard is a member of the Protest- ant Episcopal church.
The Kibling family is of New England origin. John Kibling, a na- tive of Chester, Vermont, came to Ellisburgh among the pioneers. He married at Chester, Vermont, Hannah Field, who belonged to the family of which Cyrus W. Field was an honored member. Their son, Stillman Kibling, was born May 2, 1802, in Chester, Vermont, and was a boy at the time the family moved to Ellisburgh. His life was spent in agricult- ural pursuits, and he was the owner of a farm of two hundred acres sit- tiated near Ellisburgh village. He married Eliza Boit, who was born March 22, 1811, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her family was among the first settlers in Ellisburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Kibling were the parents of a daughter, Helen M., mentioned above as the wife of Philip Millard. Mr. Kibling died June 19, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-nine. He
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is remembered with gratitude among those who contributed largely to the upbuilding and prosperity of the town. Both he and his wife were per- sonally much loved and esteemed. The latter died July 26, 1880.
DR. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON SIAS, of Ellisburgh, known throughout Jefferson county as an enlightened and conscientious physician, belongs to a family of French origin. His great-grandfather was a Huguenot who left his native land and came to the American col- onies in quest of religious liberty. He found a home in Vermont, where his son filled the office of high sheriff of the county.
Jeremiah Sias, son of High Sheriff Sias, was born in 1796 in Ver- mont, whence he emigrated at the age of eighteen to Jefferson county, New York. He was accompanied by Jeremiah Parker, the two making the journey on foot in the winter, and crossing Lake Champlain on the ice. Jeremiah Sias was a carpenter, and was extensively engaged in the building business, erecting many houses and barns in Jefferson county, where he spent the most of his life, residing in Henderson and Ellisburgh. At one time he passed several years in Farmington, Wisconsin, where he filled the office of collector of his town. In politics he was a Whig, but was among the first to join the ranks of the Republican party. In Hen- derson, Jefferson county, as well as in Wisconsin, he held the office of collector of his town. In religion he was a Swedenborgian, wrote much for the Swedenborgian papers, and lectured frequently on theology. He was four times married, and was the father of fourteen children. One of his wives was Mary Chapman, who was born in England, and when an infant was brought to the United States by her parents. By her marriage with Mr. Sias she was the mother of a son, William H. H., mentioned at length hereinafter. The death of Mr. Sias occurred in the autumn of 1878, when he had reached the age of eighty-two.
William H. H. Sias, son of Jeremiah and Mary (Chapman) Sias, was born September 11, 1840, in Henderson, where he received his pre- liminary education in the common schools, afterward taking a four years' course at Belleville Union Academy. He taught several years in some of the best schools of the county, among them those of Henderson and Ellisburgh, and served three years as school commissioner of Jeffer- son county. He studied medicine three years with Dr. E. R. Maxon, one of the best physicians of northern New York, and took a two years' course iit Syracuse Medical University. Later he spent one year in the University Medical College of New York city, from which he received
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in 1882 the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He settled in Ellisburglı, where he has been for many years in the possession of a successful and lucrative practice. September 14, 1897, he was appointed acting assist- apt surgeon in the United States Marine Hospital service. He is now serving his fourth term as coroner. and has been a notary public many years. He is a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, and be- longs to the order of Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active part in the affairs of the organization.
Dr. Sias married. August 28, 1866, Melissa R. Tifft, who was born May 10, 1841, in Ellisburgh. Five children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Sias: 1. Henry H .. July 11, 1867, who taught school several terms, and is now engaged in the clothing business with J. H. Gilbert, of Adams: in 1890 he married Mary Hudson, of Ellisburgh. 2. Florence R., born February 11, 1870, died December 28, 1881. 3. Hattie May, born May 22, 1873; she was educated at Hungerford Collegiate Institute; after teaching several years she took a three years' course at St. Lawrence University, theological department, and after graduating was ordained as a Universalist minister ; she was married October 28. 1897, to Dr. Stanly R. Hutchings, of Springfield, Ohio, where she re- sides. 4. George W., born January 15, 1875: after teaching for a time he entered the theological department of St. Lawrence University, from which he graduated, and was then ordained as a Universalist minister, becoming pastor of the First Universalist church in Springfield, Ohio: he married, August 19, 1897, Christiana S. Brown, of Watertown, and is now pastor of a church at Newport, Herkimer county, New York. 5. Walter E., born December 23, 1882, now engaged in teaching. All these children were born in Henderson, with the exception of the youngest, w hose birthplace was Ellisburgh.
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