USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume II > Part 2
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old. Lucius died in Watertown, and his remains rest in Antwerp. Hugh died and was buried at Atlanta, Georgia. Fanny, wife of Calvin Pier, died January 15, 1903, in Chicago, aged over eighty years. Ralph resides near Chamberlain, South Dakota. Susan died at the age of thirteen years. Robert kept a hotel many years at Carthage, where he now resides.
(V) James, son of John and Theodocia ( Henry) Gill, was born July 19, 1817, in the town of Antwerp, and died July 9, 1899. in that town. Being of studious nature, he made rapid progress in school and was given a better education than most boys of his time and locality. After leaving the district school, he attended the public schools of Wa- tertown and Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary. He settled near the pa- ternal homestead in Antwerp, and married, when about thirty years of age. Saralı Beaman, daughter of Joseph and Annis ( Bemus ) Beaman, of Antwerp. She was born July 28, 1819, and died July 3, 1885, in her sixty-fifth year. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are now living. Abbie P., the first, resides in Antwerp village, unmar- ried. John D. was a citizen of Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Watertown. Francis B. was an attorney at Syracuse, where he died July 19, 1904. and Bion resides on a farm in the town of Antwerp.
James Gill was a public-spirited citizen, liberal and well-informed. He endeavored to shape his life according to the golden rule, and was universally respected and honored. He did not affiliate with any re- ligious organization, but was a true Christian in his daily walk. He was a stanch Republican, but sought no political preferment. . At the earnest solicitation of his fellows he consented to act as assessor of the town, in which capacity he served several years. He was a charter member of Antwerp Grange, and was master one term. Industrious and careful of his resources, he accumulated a handsome property, and was able and willing to aid his fellows in distress. In youth he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and followed the trade in early life, but purchased a farm before his marriage and cleared most of it himself. His energies were directed in the line of caring well for his family, and his home was the dearest place on earth to him. To the interest and general welfare of mankind he gave considerable thought, and was ever ready to foster any undertaking calculated to improve the condition of society. He viewed questions of current interest with a broad intelligence, and his opinions and advice were often sought.
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GEORGE ADAMS TAYLOR, a successful farmer and business man, passed away at his home in Watertown. January 14, 1904, and was mourned by a large circle of acquaintances and friends. He was descended from the good old New England stock, which has made the United States what it is to-day, respected among nations and prosperous in its home economy.
Daniel Taylor, the first of the line known to his descendants in Jefferson county, lived and died in Springfield. Massachusetts, where he is supposed to have been born. His wife's name was Eunice, and their children were : Daniel, Sally ( married Solomon Kellam, of Turin. New York), Loami. Eunice ( died unmarried ), and Fellows, who was a farmer in Constableville. Lewis county.
Loami, second son and third child of Daniel and Eunice Taylor, was born November 9. 1784, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and went to Turin, New York, when about twenty years old. Soon after he returned to his native place and married Betsey Kendall, who was born January 9, 1784, in that town. and died January 9, 1865, in Harrisburg. To- gether they made a home in the wilderness of Lewis county, whence they removed to the town of Pamelia, Jefferson county, prior to 1825. In the last-named year he settled in Harrisburg, and continued farming there during the balance of his life. His remains now rest in the town of Denmark. His family included six children, of whom the following record is given : Julia died at the age of twenty-six years, while the wife of Daniel Bailey, of Edwards, New York. Isabel, married Perry Crofoot, and died in Constableville. Elizabeth died in the same town, being the wife of Norman Higby. A sketch of Richard, the eldest son, forms the succeeding paragraph. Henry, the second son, born October 5, 1822, died October 15, 1902, in Harrisburg. John, the youngest, born March 28, 1825. in Pamelia, resides near Carthage. He was two weeks old when his parents moved to Harrisburg. Loami Taylor was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was a Whig and later a Re- publican. He served as a soldier at the battle of Sacketts Harbor in 1813.
Richard Taylor. eldest son of Loami Taylor, was born August 27, 1800, on his father's farm near Copenhagen, and his education was such as the local school of that day afforded. On attaining manhood he left the paternal farm and purchased land in the town of Watertown, which is now owned and occupied by his grandson, Fred Emory Taylor. He was a successful farmer, being industrious and persevering, and ap-
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plied sound judgment to the conduct of his affairs. With an intelli- gent interest in the progress of events, and an earnest desire for the betterment of mankind, he was universally respected and esteemed. He died January 13. 1865.
Mr. Taylor was married, January 25, 1836, to Charlotte M. Twitch- eil, who was born July 6, 1806. and died July 25, 1883, in Watertown, aged seventy-eight years. Their children were: Duane De Miner, born January 23, 1837. died November 25, 1892: George Adams, mentioned below; and Emma Jane. The last-named was born October 26. 1845, married Nathan Rose, and resided at Milford, New York, where she died May 15, 1890.
George Adams Taylor, second child of Richard and Charlotte M. (Twitchell) Taylor, was born November 16, 1838, near Copenhagen, New York, and was educated in the public schools. With practical mind, he made use of the knowledge thus gained, and attained success as a business man and respect as a citizen. He purchased a farm adjoin- ing that of his father's, in Watertown, being succeeded by his son. He was diligent in business, and continued to till his farm with gratifying results until 1890, when he moved to the city of Watertown and en- gaged in the retail harness business. To this he gave the same persistent application which gained him success as a farmer, and was thereby a gainer, while catering to the wants of his agricultural friends and neighbors. At the end of six years of trade he retired from active life and enjoyed a few years of well earned rest from toil.
Mr. Taylor was a life member of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, to whose welfare he was always devoted, and in politics he affiliated with the Democratic party. An advocate of liberal educational facilities, he served his district long as school trustee. He was a good neighbor, a worthy citizen, and a kind and loving husband and father.
He was married, January 20, 1864, to Lucinda Ball, daughter of John Ballard and Melinda (Bailey) Ball (see Ball). She was born March 2, 1840, at Miller's Bay, now Riverview, in the town of Cape Vincent, this county. They were the parents of two sons, Eugene Richard and George Edgar.
Eugene Richard Taylor, eller son of George A. and Lucinda (Ball) Taylor, was born February 3. 1865, on the farm in Watertown, on which he now resides, and which was the homestead of his grand- father. His educational training began in the public school adjacent to his home and he subsequently graduated from the Watertown high
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school. He has made farming his occupation, and succeeded his father in the ownership of the homestead, which he devotes to dairy farming. The farm is kept under a high state of cultivation, and is furnished with residence and barns as elegant and commodious as any in the town. Mr. Taylor is a member of Watertown Grange No. 7, and of the Jef- ferson County Agricultural Society. In matters of governmental inter- est he follows the traditions of his father, and acts with the Democratic party. He is one of the leading agriculturists of his town, and enjoys the respect of his townsmen.
He was married November 22, 1888, to Miss Hattie E. Hardy, who was born May 1, 1864, in the town of Leray, a daughter of David and Anna ( Slack ) Hardy. They have a son, Richard Hardy Taylor, born November 12, 1893, on the homestead, and now a student of the Watertown city public schools.
George Edgar Taylor, junior son of George Adams and Lucinda (Ball) Taylor, was born February 24, 1872, and attended the schools of the city of Watertown. He is an expert bookkeeper, and resides with his mother in Watertown. Though not an active partisan, he supports Democratic policies and candidates.
THE RUGGLES FAMILY. (I) Thomas Ruggles and Mary Curtis were married at Nazing, England, about 1623. and with his wife and two children came from England to Roxbury in 1637. A son John came over with Philip Eliot. Mr. Ruggles was a son of a godly father. Thomas Ruggles and his wife united with the church soon after coming to Roxbury, and both were zealous Christians. Mr. Rug- gles died 15th day 9 mio., 1644. His wife was baptized in Nazing in April, 1589. She survived her husband, remarried and lived to be about eighty-six years of age. Their children were: Thomas, born about 1623: John, about 1625; Sarah, about 127; and Samuel, about 1629.
(II) Samuel Ruggles, born about 1629, married (first), January 10, 1654-55. Hannah Fowle, of Charlestown. She died October 24. 1609. He married (second), May 26, 1670, Anna, daughter of Deacon Henry Bright, of Watertown. His children were: Hannah, born Jan- uary 21. 1655-56; Mary, January 10, 1656-57; Samuel, June 1, 1658; Joseph, February 12, 1659-60; Hannah (2), December 11, 1661 ; Sarah, November 18, 1663; Mary, December 8, 1666; Sarah, August 30, 1669; Thomas, March 10, 1670-71; Ann, September 30, 1672: Nathaniel,
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November 22, 1674; Elizabeth, May 1, 1677; Henry, July 7, 1681 ; and Huldah, July 4, 1684.
Samuel Ruggles, the father, resided in Roxbury, where he kept a tavern. He was very actively engaged in public life. He served as selectman for fourteen years, and was also assessor during the same period of time. He was representative for the four critical years preced- ing the Revolution. He was for several years captain of militia, and when Governor Andros and his associates were seized and imprisoned, Joseph Dudley (afterwards governor) was committed to his special charge, while temporarily released from prison. He died August 15, 1692. His wife Anna died September, 1711, aged sixty-seven years.
(III) Samuel Ruggles (2), born June 1, 1658, married, July 8, 1680, Martha, daughter of the Rev. John Woodbridge, of Newbury, and granddaughter of Governor Thomas Dudley. Mr. Ruggles resided in Roxbury, where he was an innholder, and a "set-work cooper." He inherited his father's military spirit and succeeded him in many of his offices, having been captain of militia, 1702; assessor, 1694: representa- tive, 1697; and selectman continuously from 1693 to 1713, except in 1701 and 1704, nineteen years. He died February 25, 1715-16. His wife Martha died in 1738. Their children were: Samuel, born 1681; Lucy, 1683; Timothy, 1685; Hannah, April 10, 1088; Patience, No- vember 9, 1689-90; Martha, February 1, 1691-92: Sarah, June 18, 1794: Joseph, July 21, 1696; Mary, September, 1698; and Benjamin, July 4, 1700.
(IV) Timothy Ruggles, born November 3, 1685, married, Sep- tember 27, 1710. Mary, daughter of Benjamin White. She died Janu- ary 23, 1749. Mr. Ruggles married, second, (intentions published March 26, 1750). Anne Woodworth, of Little Compton. His children were: Timothy, born October 20, 1711: Benjamin, May 19. 1713; Samuel, July, 1715: Joseph, June 13. 1718; Mary, January 1, 1719-20; Susanna, January 6, 1721-22; Edward, August 30, 1723; Nathaniel, April 12, 1725; Thomas, July 13, 1727: Hannah, October 18, 1728; Thomas. March 2, 1730; and John, September 2, 1731.
Timothy Ruggles was graduated from Yale in 1707, and was or- dained pastor of the church in Rochester, November 22, 1710. He held high rank in the ministry, and was pre-eminently a man of business. He was apparently more active and efficient than any other individual in promoting the settlement of Hardwick. Through his influence and exertions, six sons and a daughter of his own family, five sons and two
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daughters of his sister, Patience. wife of James Robinson (also their father and mother, later in life) and many members of his parish, were among the early settlers. He died as sole pastor of the church, October 26, 1768, aged nearly eighty-three years.
(V) Benjamin Ruggles, born May 19, 1713, married October 19, 1736, Alice, daughter of Nathaniel Merrick, of what is now Brewster. After her death Mr. Ruggles married, for his second wife. December 28. 1778, Mary Smith. He was one of the earliest pioneers and residents on the River Road to Barre. He possessed great vigor and energy. both physical and mental, and became the father of three children after he was sixty years of age. He was captain of the militia, selectman for six- teen years, assessor for eleven years, and was chairman of the committee of correspondence in 1774 and 1775. He was one of the most active and resolute opposers of his brother. the Tory brigadier, in the stirring political contest preceding the Revolution. He died October II, 1790, aged seventy-seven years. His children were: May, born May 7. 1738; Benjamin, December 11, 1741 : Sarah, February 6, 1743-44; Elizabeth, April 16, 1746: Elizabeth (2), January 31, 1748-49; Thomas, baptized June 24, 1750: Alice, born November 23. 1754; Seth, October 21, 1781 ; and David. November 30, 1783.
(VI) Benjamin Ruggles, son of Benjamin and Alice (Merrick) Ruggles, born in 1741, as above noted, married Elizabeth (supposed to be), a daughter of Deacon James Fay, and they were the parents of (VII) Betsey Ruggles, born August 9, 1780. She was married Feb- ruary 9, 1802, to Aaron Goodale (see Goodale, VI).
CURTIS CORY. While recognized throughout the length and breadth of Jefferson county as an authority on agriculture, Curtis Cory is numbered among the most valued citizens of Leray. His grand- father, James Cory, was born in 1762, in New Hampshire, where lie passed the greater part of his life and then moved to Jefferson county and settled on the farm which has been ever since in the possession of his descendants. Here he built a log house, which was the dwelling of the family until a permanent abode could be erected. He married Polly ( surname unknown ) and they were the parents of a large family. Mrs. Cory survived her husband several years and was ninety years old at the time of her death. Both she and her husband represented the best clement among the pioneers of the county.
Curtis Cory, son of James and Polly Cory, was born April 30. 1793.
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in Sullivan, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, where he passed his early life, coming to Jefferson county at the age of eighteen. In company with an elder brother, he walked from Keene, carrying an axe on his shoulder. His first employment was in the clearing of land in the serv- ice of a Mr. Woodruff, at Sanford's Corners. Returning to New Hamp- shire, he stayed there four years. About 1820 he purchased a farm, on which he built a log house, which he later replaced with a frame dwell- ing, at that time the only one in the region. He was one of the found- ers of a Methodist Episcopal church at Sanford's Corners, of which he was a member, and in which, in 1825, he became a class leader, holding that office for twenty years. He married (first) Annis Burlingame, of Pillar Point, November 5, 1822. She died January 29, 1824. Mr. Cory was married, January 31, 1835, to Nancy Parkinson, who was born May 5, 1795, in Scoharie county, New York, and they were the parents of six children, two of whom are living: Curtis, mentioned at length herein- after, and Nancy, who makes her home with her brother. . \ daughter of the first marriage, named Lucy, became the wife of John W. Acker- man, and died at Houseville, New York, in 1902. Of the second mar- riage, Mary J. married Joseph Child, and died May 24, 1862, aged twenty-eight years. Aaron settled in - -, Iowa, where he died. Two sons died in boyhood. Mr. Cory, the father of the family, died April 30, 1868, leaving behind him the memory of a kind-hearted and upright man and a good citizen. The death of Mrs. Cory occurred Octo- ber 3, 1872. Like her husband, she was an active member of the Method- ist Episcopal church and foremost in every good work.
Curtis Cory, son of Curtis and Nancy ( Parkinson ) Cory, was born November 22, 1837. received his education in his native town, and was early trained to the labors of the farm. On reaching manhood he as- sisted in the care and management of the homestead until the death of his father, when he came into possession of the estate. He has culti- vated the farm for the purposes of general farming and dairying, in both of which he has been eminently successful. His life has been de- voted to agricultural pursuits, in consequence of which he has acquired a fund of that skill and knowledge which only experience can bestow. The exercise of this practical ability, aided by scientific information, has placed him in the front rank of the farmers of the county. As a citizen he possesses the fullest confidence and esteem of his neighbors, and for three years filled the office of assessor. He is a member of the Watertown Grange, and formerly affiliated with the I. O. O. F. His political affil-
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jations are with the Republicans. He and all his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a class leader, and for the support and advancement of which he has always been an earnest worker.
Mr. Cory married. in 1859. Hannah Burdick, a native of LeRay, and they are the parents of the following children : William B., who resides in Black River and married Florence Martin: Andrew E., who lives in Watertown and married Elizabeth Martin, a sister of his brother's wife : Mary J., who is the widow of Simeon Waful, of Black River, and has one son. Clarence : John M., who is employed in Watertown, mar- ried Ella Roberts and has one son, Byron: Hannah May and Nettie. both of whom reside at home.
Mrs. Cory is a daughter of William Burdick, who was born Sep- tember 30. 1808, in Dutchess county, whence he came to Jefferson county. where he took up forty acres of land. He married Rachel Child, a native of this county, and three children were born to them : Annie, who mar- ried Winchester Wright and resides in Philadelphia, New York : Hannah, who became the wife of Curtis Cory, as mentioned above, and Ephraim, who lives on the homestead farm near Mr. Cory. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Burdick attained to an advanced age. the former dying at forty-nine and the latter at fifty-two. Both are remembered with the feelings of affec- tion and respect, which their good and useful lives inspired in all who knew them, whether in business, social or church relations. William Burdick was a son of Ephraim and Nancy ( Parsons) Burdick.
ISAAC MCGINNIS. It is probable that no one resident of Jeffer- son county has been longer or more prominently identified with educa- tional, agricultural and insurance interests than has Isaac McGinnis, of Watertown. He comes of sturdy North-of-Ireland ancestry, from whom he inherited the traits of character which have contributed so largely to his success in lite, both as a business man and a citizen.
His grandfather. William McGinnis, was born October 26, 1746, in county Down, Ireland, where he received his education. He sailed for America, June 3. 1772, in the ship Philadelphia, and landed at New Castle, Delaware, August 22. of the same year. He settled in Marble- town, Ulster county, New York, where he lived till his death. He was a weaver by trade. Before his departure from Ireland he married Eliz- abeth Berry, who accompanied him to the United States, or the Ameri- ein colonies, as they were then. Vr. and Mrs. McGinnis were the parents
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of the following children: John, who was born September 29, 1773: Mary, November 24, 1776; Isaac, January 16. 1779: James, August 26, 1781 ; Alexander, February 21, 1784; William, mentioned at length hereinafter; Rachel, born January 31, 1788; Phoebe, February 7, 1790; and Ann, May 29, 1792. Each one of these nine children lived to be over eighty, and their mother attained to the great age of one hun- dred and two years.
William McGinnis, son of William and Elizabeth ( Berry ) McGinnis. was born August 28, 1786, in Marbletown, UIster county, New York, where he received his education. He was a weaver by trade, and in 1815 moved to the Black River Country and settled in that part of Brown- ville which is now Pamelia, where he bought a small farm, which he cultivated in connection with the practice of his trade. He also owned and managed a small dairy. He and all his family attended the Method- ist Episcopal church. He married Rachel Harper, a native of New York city, and the following children were born to them: Alexander, who died, very old, at Oconto, Canada ; Henry, who died young : James, who resides in Kingston, Canada; Robert, who settled in Arkansas ; Catherine, married James Spike, and died at Arrowsmith, Canada ; Ma. ria, wife of Moses Spike, died in August, 1902, in Colfax, California ; William, Jr., who lives at Oboji, Iowa ; Isaac mentioned at length hierein- after; Eliza Ann, who is the widow of Robert Addison, and now resides in Athens, Canada; Phoebe J., who is the widow of Edward Upham, of Quebec, Canada ; and Sarah Jane, who died when five years old. Mrs. McGinnis, the mother of this family, died in 1868, at the age of eighty- one, and her husband passed away in January, 1881, having com- pleted his ninety-fourth year. Both were sincerely loved and respected by all who knew them.
Isaac, son of William and Rachel ( Harper ) McGinnis, was born May 4, 1825, in Pamelia, where he received his early education in the commôn schools, and at the age of eighteen engaged in teaching, a profession which he continued to practice for twenty years. During the father's declining years the son became the manager of the farm and later purchased the adjoining estate. At the time of his father's death the son was in possession of two hundred acres, which, since 1865, he has devoted to general farming and dairying, and to the raising of blooded stock. He was the first in Pamelia to raise Ayrshire cattle. In 1869 he became connected with the Agricultural Insurance Company as an assist- ant to the agent at Watertown, and at the end of two years was made
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
special agent. The business of the company was at this time confined to New York state, but Mr. McGinnis soon began appointing agents in other states and constantly enlarged the field until, in 1884, when he resigned, he had established agencies in sixteen states of the Union and in Canada. In 1881 he purchased a cottage in the Thousand Island Park, one of the first erected there, which he has made his summer home. For some years before he had spent his summers there, beginning with the establishment of the park.
Mr. McGinnis is a member of Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M., with which he has affiliated since 1852, being the only member now living out of the number who joined in that year. He is also a member of Watertown Chapter No. 57. R. A. M., and Watertown Com- mandery No. 11. Knights Templar. He was a charter member of the Roque Club of the Thousand Island Park, in which he now holds the office of president, and which has very fine grounds, covered with a tent, In politics he is a Democrat and has frequently been called upon by his townsmen to fill positions of honor and trust. In 1850 he was elected superintendent of schools and served three years, when he resigned in consequence of being chosen supervisor of the town, to which position he was elected five times, serving from 1852 to 1857, inclusive. He also served two terms of four years each as justice of the peace. He attends the State Street Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a mem- ber.
Mr. McGinnis married. in 1850, Lasira, daughter of Lyman White, who was a farmer of Pamelia and an early settler in this region, where he and his wife, Hannah Wilson, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont, lived and died. His family consisted of eight children. Of this number only three are living : Mrs. McGinnis and her two brothers : Otis, who is a resident of Gladstone, North Dakota, and Morris, who lives in Northport. Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis are the parents of two daughters, the elder of whom, Ida M., is the wife of George A. Fenner, of Watertown, one of the trustees and appraiser for the Jefferson County Savings Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Fenner are the parents of two children : Louis, who is chemical engineer for the New York Air Brake Company, and Inez L. Ella, the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis, is the wife of George M. Haven, who is a contractor and builder in Wa- tertown, and they have one child. Clara Beth.
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