USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume II > Part 14
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Mr. Clarke went to White Plains, where he became interested in
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the Le Valley Carbon Brush Company, of which he was made president. Through his energy and good business management, it was made a suc- cess, and he was cut off by death in the midst of a most useful and prom- ising career. June 9. 1904. He was a valued member of the Larchmont Yacht Club and the Colonial and Knowlwood Clubs, and his kind na- ture, affable manners and unimpeachable integrity brought to him and retained many warm friendships. A true and worthy representative of a noble ancestry, his demise was a distinct loss to the community at large, as well as to a sorrowing family.
Mr. Clarke was married in 1884 to Miss Lucile Copley, daughter of Hiram Copley ( see Copley, VI). Mrs. Clarke is a lady of good busi- ness qualifications, as well as graceful accomplishments and fine per- sonality, as is shown by her successful management of the business be- queathed to her by her lamented husband. Three children remain to comfort her in her bereavement, namely : John Victor. Copley and Car- ree Rosalind.
JOHN JAY LAMON, who died at his home on Paddock street, Watertown, April 21, 1903, was among the successful business men of that city, a descendant of one of the first to locate in Jefferson county.
(I) Francis Lamon was the first of the name known to his descendants in this section. His wife was Elizabeth Ray. Not far from 1780 they moved from Salem, Washington county, this state, to Bridgewater, Oneida county, taking some live-stock. It is said that they were not well-to-do at that time, and moved to the newer country to improve their prospects. They had seven sons and one daughter. One of the sons, Francis, was a small boy when they moved, and could not keep up with the party on foot, so he was placed on the back of one of the steers and got along comfortably. Those were pioneer times, and none of the conveniences of to-day were available, in travel or almost any undertaking. Francis Lamon died in Hounsfield at the age of one hundred and three years, and his wife about ten years younger. Their remains are supposed to rest in Sulphur Springs cemetery. Fol- lowing is a brief account of their children: John, the eldest, settled in the western part of this state, where he reared a family. Isaac, the second, lived at Lyons, New York. James settled in Hounsfield, where his father gave him fifty acres of land. Justice settled at Manyunk, Pennsylvania, where he died, and had a family of eight children. Noah lived and died in Belleville, this county. Levi lived in the town of
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Df Lammet
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Hounsfield, between Sackets Harbor and Dexter. Francis, the youngest son, is mentioned hereinafter. Anna became the wife of Timothy Andrus, and lived in Hounsfield.
(II) Francis Lamon, son of Francis and Elizabeth, was born April 19. 1775, in Salem. New York. After he came of age, his father gave him a small piece of wild land, which he cleared up and improved. About 1802 he traded this for one hundred acres on Dry Hill, in the town of Watertown, and brought his family here in the following spring. He had only one child then. The removal was made on snow, in the month of March, and was attended with many difficulties and hard- ships. He had an ox-team, a cow, pig and a few sheep. The latter animals caused much trouble, on account of their aversion to turning out in the deep snow, in passing or meeting teams. On reaching Dry Hill, they found a log but erected the previous year by Samuel Knapp. in the deep forest. No roof had yet been put on, and Mr. Lamon went three miles with his oxen to a small sawmill, where he obtained a few boards. With these he placed a roof on the cabin and settled his family there until he could get on his own land, about a mile away, and provide some shelter. On the arrival of Knapp, a few days later. the latter was pleased to know that he would have a neighbor, and made Mr. Lamon and family welcome. As soon as he could chop out space for and erect a cabin. Mr. Lamon moved to his land and hastened to clear as much as possible, in order to raise something for the suc- ceeding winter. It was with difficulty that he kept his stock from wan- dering back toward their former home, during the first year, and a sharp ear was needed in listening for the bell which was hung on the neck of one of the oxen. Wild animals stole his young stock, and his experience, like that of other pioneers, was somewhat unpleasant, while laying the foundation of the present civilization enjoyed by his de- scendants. He was married in Bridgewater, March 23. 1797, to Philena Crane, who was born March 26, 1779, and died September 22, 1844, ini the village of Watertown, whither they moved in 1836. At that time his lands amounted to four hundred and fifty acres, and he sold out on removing to the village. He died July 29. 1862, aged eighty-seven years. Francis and Philena Lamon had two daughters and two sons. Huldah, the first, married Alpheus Wilson, when she was fourteen years of age and died at twenty-one, having borne four children. Lorinda, the second. married Garrett Ives, and died at the birth of her son,
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Francis Ives, now deceased. Joel married Phebe Jacquith, and settled at Sycamore, Ohio.
(III) Francis Ray, youngest son of Francis (2), was born June 24, 1807. in the town of Watertown, where he grew up on his father's farm. His health was feeble for many years in early life, but he lived to a great age, being eighty-three years old when he died, February 14, 1891. When a young man he made fishing trips to the banks of New Foundland, and worked one winter in a store in New York city. After keeping a grocery in Watertown a year or two, about 1833, he bought a hotel. the "Center House," in that village, which he conducted several years. At one time he sold it and subsequently re-purchased. finally selling out about 1844. He also kept a livery, in connection with the hotel. After buying and selling several farms, he settled on State street, about a mile from "the Square," where he built a house and lived a few years. About 1860 he sold out and moved to Vineland, New Jersey, to enjoy a milder climate. He returned to Watertown in 1873, and purchased a home on Academy street, where he died. He attended the Universalist church, of which he was a liberal supporter. A Whig in early life, he was among the first supporters of the Repub- lican party.
He was married May 1, 1833, to Susan Miles, who was born August 3, 1811, in Watertown, a daughter of Jonathan E. and Lucinda (Sheldon) Miles, pioneer settlers of that town, coming in 1804. Mrs. Susan Lamon died October 27, 1854. and about 1859 Mr. Lamon mar- ried Esther Cobb, who survived him, dying in Watertown, December 10, 1899. She was born August 9. 1824, in Marcy, Oneida county.
Mr. Lamon's children were all born of the first marriage. The eldest, Francis Miles, long a merchant of Watertown, now resides in that city. Lorinda Ives is the wife of Isaac Proctor Powers, of Water- town. Plmy Eugene, born September 26, 1843, died April 5. 1903, in Watertown. John J. receives further mention below.
(IV) Jolin Jay, youngest child of Francis R. and Susan ( Miles) Lamon, was born November 2, 1845, in a house fronting the Public Square, in Watertown. He was educated in the public schools of Water- town and the semmary at Clinton, Oneida county, New York. Soon efter attaming his majority he became a partner of the late Henry M. Ball, in conducting a grocery business at number 4 Washington street, and sul sequently purchased the interest of his partner and continued
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the business alone. After eight years in this line, he kept a meat market on Franklin street fifteen years.
In the meantime Mr. Lamon acquired some real estate and, on disposing of his market, gave his entire attention to his realty interests, buying and selling property as long as he continued to do anything. While conducting a market. he also dealt largely in cattle and farm machinery, and was widely known among the rural population of this and neighboring counties. During the last ten years of his life his health was not good, and he attempted no new enterprises.
In speaking of Mr. Lamon's character. the Watertown Standard of the day following his death said: "He was noticeable among men for the independence and strong force of character which shone through his striking personality, making him a man once seen not easily for- gotten. He was passionately devoted to his family. A man of sound judgment, he always had the hearty support of the best people of the city. His infinite love for humanity was a very prominent point in his character. Mr. Lamon served several years as a member of the board of public works of this city, and received much praise from the city officials and the general public, for his very efficient work in that capacity."
John J. Lamon was married December 12, 1867. to Miss Helen Medora Ball, daughter of H. M. Ball ( see Ball, VII). Four children survive him, with the widow, all residing in Watertown, namely : Selma G., Alice M., Harry M. and Fred R.
While somewhat eccentric and independent in character, Mr. La- mon's heart and purse were open to everybody, and he often assumed, through sympathy, much of the burdens of others. He was always inter- ested in the welfare of the Universalist church, which he sought to pro- mote in every way. The Utica Globe said of him: "He was a faithful official and a man who, though brusque in manner and positive in con- viction's, counted everybody his friends. A large proportion of the older residents of the city knew him and valued highly his acquaintance."
PENNIMAN. The name of Penniman was early planted in this country, and figures extensively in the history of Boston and its neigh- boring towns. It is also found in western Massachusetts, and in New Hampshire and New York. One of the early settlers of this county was Zuriel Penniman, who receives further mention below.
(I) James Penniman was admitted a freeman at Boston in 1631.
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With his wife Lydia he settled in Braintree in 1639, and died there De, cember 26. 1664. He had ten children.
(II) Deacon Joseph Penniman, son of James and Lydia Penni- man, was born August 1, 1639, in Braintree, and married Waiting Rob- inson, daughter of William Robinson, of Dorchester. She died August 21. 1690, and he subsequently married Widow Sarah Stone, daughter of Deacon Samuel Bass, of Braintree. He died November 5, 1705, and his widow was living in 1739.
(III) Moses, son of Deacon Joseph Penniman and his first wife, Waiting ( Robinson ), third of their seven children, was born February 14. 1677, in Braintree. His will, dated July 9. 1718, mentions his wife, Mary. He died ten days after making his will.
(IV) Moses (2), son of Moses (1) and Mary Penniman, was born June 1. 1715. the last of six children of his parents. He was mar- ried, in Boston. April 7. 1737, by Rev. Dr. Cutler, rector of King's Chapel, to Rebecca Edmonds, both of Braintree.
(V) William, son of Moses (2) and Rebecca (Edmonds) Penni- man, was born in 1738. in Braintree, and lived some time in Chester, Massachusetts, whence he went to North Adams, same state, where he died in 1810. He was married, in Boston. January 12. 1769, by Rev. William Walter, to Catherine Hivell.
(VI) Zuriel Penniman was born February, 13, 1788, in Keene, New Hampshire, and was very early at Black River and Great Bend, in this county. He was married, June 12. 1821, to Almira Freeman, daughter of Colonel Alfred Freeman, a pioneer settler of Wilna. After her death he married Nancy Everett, who was born March 12, 1795, in New Hampshire. Mr. Penniman purchased land in Wilna, which he cleared, and on which his descendants now reside. It is located about four miles in a northerly direction from the village of Carthage, and now includes some of the finest sugar trees for which that town is famous. The present farm covers one hundred acres, and has a fine brick house and other first-class farm buildings.
(VII) Guy Earl Penniman, son of Zuriel and Nancy (Everett ) Penniman, was born January 4, 1827, in the town of Rutland. and was reared in Wilna on his father's farm. He attended the district schools of his time, and made farming his business through life. When the farm came to his hands by inheritance it had forty-five acres of cleared land, and he continued to improve and till it until old age. He died Jan- uary I, 1903, being only three days short of seventy-six years old. He
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ttended the Universalist church, and was a Republican in politics. An industrious and quiet farmer, he did not care for official honors, and filled only minor offices which duty seemed to require of him.
He was married, on the day he was twenty-two years old, to Made- line, daughter of John and Susan Smith, who receive further mention in this article. His children were Guy and Carrie, the latter now the wife of Dexter Crowner, residing on the parental homestead in Wilna.
John Smith was employed when a young man by Stephen Girard. the roted Philadelphia philanthropist, and was married in New Jersey to a native of that state. In the earliest days he came with teams to Wilna, making his way through the wilderness by the guidance of blazed trees, and settled five miles northeast of the present village of Carthage. He was possessed of some means at the time of his arrival, and brought his large family with him. He also brought some stock, and was soon engaged in successful farming. He built by far the most pretentious house in the town, of stone, and it is still standing and occupied. He was a highly respected citizen, and wielded considerable influence in local affairs in his time. All of his family, save one, are now deceased. His sons were: John, Alonzo and Joseph. The first two died in Wilna, and the last resides in Hailesboro. St. Lawrence county, this state. Of the daughters. Lorissa became the wife of Simeon Fulton (see Fulton, IV). Emeline married John Twining, of Denmark. Lewis county. Madeline was the wife of Guy Earl Penniman. Susan, wife of Eber Mayhew, lived near Sterlingville, in Wilna. Julia married Henry Pearce, and lived near the center of Wilna. Cora died unmarried, and Almira married Warren Crowner, of Wilna.
(VIII) Guy Penniman, elder child and only son of Guy Earl and Madeline (Smith) Penniman, was born October 29, 1850, in Wilna, where he grew up, remaining on the home farm until twenty-three years of age. He attended the common school and spent one term at Lowville Academy. Having an active mind, he has kept abreast of the times, and is well informed on topics of usual interest in his community. For ten years he tilled land adjoining the home farm, and was subsequently en- gaged in farming in the eastern part of the town. He sold this place and purchased one hundred and fifty acres, which he still owns, near Natural Bridge, and tilled it until 1888, when he moved to Carthage. Since that time he has been engaged in the livery business, with success, in that place. In 1903 he enlarged his property on School street, by pur- chase, and now maintains large sheds for the accommodation of farmers'
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teams and vehicles. Of genial and generous nature, he makes and re- tains friends. Mr. Penniman attends and supports the Universalist church, and is a substantial and sound Republican. While attentive to his business, without desire for public responsibility, he has served very acceptably as collector of his native town, and is frequently called upon to assist in the duties of the collector, because of his success in that line of effort.
Mr. Penniman was married, November 6, 1873, to Miss Cornelia M. Colburn, a native of Wilna, daughter of Orlin and Eliza (Gates) Col- burn, of Champion and Wilna. Her grandfather, Amos Colburn, and his brother, Asa, were among the pioneers of Champion. Orlin Col- burn sawed by hand the plank used in making the first bridge over Black river, at the present village of Deferiet. Two children complete the fam- ily of Guy and Cornelia M. Penniman-Phila P. and Eber Guy. The former is now the wife of Elias Wagar, of Shenandoah, Dutchess county, this state. The latter conducts a harness store on School street, Car- thage. He was married, June 4. 1902, to Annah Maude Gardner of Utica.
GEORGE BRAGG MASSEY. No name in the annals of Water- town holds a more conspicuous or more honored place than Massey. The family has been represented there since the earliest settlement of the town, and has been a virile element in its development and growth. Hart Massey, who pushed across the Vermont frontier into the northern wilderness, was himself of strong and pioneering ancestry. He was a descendant of one of the earliest comers to New England, Jeffrey Massey (I), who was born in 1593, in England, and died in 1677, in Salem, Massachusetts, where he was one of the first settlers. The first white male born in that town ( 1631) was his son, John Massey (II). The latter had a son, John Massey (III), who was born in 1668.
(IV) Deacon Jonathan Massey, son of John (III), was born July 6, 1747, and was one of a family of eight sons and three daughters. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving with the New Hampshire militia, and in 1776 being a lieutenant in the continental army. He died in Watertown March 30, 1830.
(V) Hart, son of Jonathan Massey, was born December 5, 1771, in Salem, New Hampshire. In 1792 the family moved to Windsor, Vermont, where Hart married Lucy, a daughter of Deacon Nathaniel Swain. in 1705. She was born in 1771, in Reading, Massachusetts.
George B. Massey
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Hart Massey went to Watertown in 1800, his family following the next year. On the land he bought the town grew up. His first purchase was ninety acres, to which he soon added a hundred more. In 1808 he was appointed colonel and inspector of state troops, having previously been in service as quartermaster in Colonel Abijah Putnam's regiment, and as adjutant to Colonel Gershom Tuttle. He was also a collector of customs at Sackets Harbor during the war of 1812, when that port was an important post. Two war ships were built there of timbers taken from the forest, and put in commission, one within forty-five, and the other within eighty days. He received a number of appoint- ments to civil office, being deputy collector of the county when it was attached to Oneida county, and in 1820 was made common pleas judge. In any capacity he was a noteworthy man, and always held the high regard of the community. He was a Quaker, and the first religious services of the town were held in his cabin on the first Sunday after his arrival with his family. He died in Watertown March 20, 1853, the half century of his life there being marked by great industrial devel- opment.
(VI) Edward Swain Massey, son of Hart Massey, was born in Watertown, October 18, 1806. He was a farmer, and in 1828 built the house where his son George B. now lives. He was active in business circles and local public life, inheriting much of his father's energy. He was the first coal dealer of the town, and was a director of the Jefferson County Bank. He was adjutant in the military service, when the troops were called out at the time of the Fenian invasion of Canada. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, and was twice married. The first wife. Nancy Kilbourn, of Champion, was wedded May 28, 1828, and died April 17, 1832, being the mother of two chil- dren, Fred K. and Emma S. The second wife, Esther Bragg, was a daughter of Jairus Bragg, of Newport. Herkimer county, this state, and bore him six children, Maria E., George B., Mary E .. Jairus Ed- ward, Albert P., and Annie M., of whom George B., Mary E., wife of George Munson of New York, and Anna M. are now living. Edward S. Massey died July 14. 1876, in Watertown.
(VII) George B. Massey was born January 1, 1836, in the house which has always been his home, and educated in the public schools and Homer Academy. At the age of fourteen he entered the drug store of T. H. Camp. as clerk, and showed such adaptability and indus- try that eight years later he was made junior partner. In the meantime,
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his education had been completed at Homer. Soon after the firm name was changed to Camp and Massey, under which name it was conducted until 1899, though in 1889 Mr. Massey became sole owner. He has been in some manner connected with all Watertown's more important financial enterprises. He is vice president of the New York Air Brake Company, the largest manufacturing concern in the city, and president of the Excelsior Carriage Company, a concern famous throughout the country for the superior quality of its output. He is also president of the Jefferson County National Bank, of which he has been a director for thirty years, and was over six years vice president : was a director of the Watertown Street Railway Company, is a director of the Water- town Steam Engine Company, and was, during its existence in Water- town, a director of the Davis Sewing Machine Company. He has up- held the interest which his father had in church work, having been treasurer of the Sunday school and of the Jefferson County Bible Society for many years. He has also felt great interest in the Young Men's Christian Association and done much constructive work for the organi- zation, in which he has held the office of treasurer over twenty-five years. He was among the founders of the Jefferson County Historical Society, and has been its secretary four years.
In 1861 he married Sarah H. Thompson, who died the next year, leaving no children.
ALBERT PARSON MASSEY, who died June 5, 1898, was a representative of one of the oldest families of Watertown, and a man of marked mechanical genius. His natural ability was developed by a thorough scientific education, and he was the inventor of industrial appli- ances of great moment. His ancestors were among the first to push across the New England frontier into the wilderness of northern New York, and they were of a fibre and a temper to make themselves felt as a benignant and constructive force in the industrial upbuilding of the community, and the formation of its social traditions. For account of the line of descent. see sketch of George B. Massey.
Albert Parson Massey was born March 30. 1842. in Watertown, and received his preliminary education in the public schools there. The unusual order of his mind was early evident, and he went to Yale Col- lege, where he was graduated in the scientific course. He went to San Francisco and afterward to the Sandwich Islands in the course of his professional work. Returning to Cleveland, Ohio, he became a member
Albert P. Massey
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of the firm of Younglove & Massey, manufacturers of agricultural im- plements. He invented a straw-cutter, among other pieces of valuable machinery. In 1887 he came back to Watertown, and became an expert for the New York Air Brake Company, perfecting for it many important inventions. The company was in litigation with the Westinghouse Air Brake Company, and his mechanical knowledge and expert testimony on the stand at the trial turned the decision in favor of the former. The business of the company was not in a prosperous state when Mr. Massey became its mechanical expert, but with the Massey air brake, which was his invention. also engineer's valve, the company made a great success. He had a fine mind that reached beyond his special field, and found pleasure in all lines of liberal culture. While at Ceveland he served as librarian of the Case Public Library. He died at sea while seeking to restore his broken health, and he literally gave his life for the New York Air Brake Company. Mr. Massey was known as a Christian man and he was active in the work of the local Presbyterian church, in which he was many years a trustee.
He married. October 18, 1870, Phoebe Scott Griffith, daughter of Walter S. Griffith, of Brooklyn, president of the Home Life Insurance Company. He was devoted to family life, a considerate and helpful friend. and a man of wide and generous sympathies. His wife is active in the work of the church and of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, interests to which her husband gave his cordial support. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Massey, namely: Frank L .: Eliza- beth Griffith, who died in infancy; George B., a graduate of Yale Uni- versity : Walter G., a graduate of Cornell; and Clara E., at home with her mother.
In the spring of 1903 the sons incorporated the Massey Machine Company, and built a plant on Pearl street, where they are turning out lathes and other heavy machine work. The president is George B. Massey : vice president. Frank L. Massey; secretary, W. G. Massey ; and treasurer. George B. Massey, second. The last-named is a veteran of the Cuban and Philippine wars, having served as ensign in the navy.
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