USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume II > Part 34
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sons. His children were named as follows: Samuel and Sally ( twins), Polly, Reuben, Phebe D., Lodema and Diadama (twins), Ezekiel, Elisha, Uriah and Benjamin. Polly married Warren Spaulding, and Phebe D. became the wife of Danforth Earl. Lodema was the wife of Frederick Woodruff.
(\') Ezekiel (2), third son and eighth child of Ezekiel and Mar- tha ( Munson) Andrus, was born May 17. 1792. in Farmington, Con- necticut, and was nearly eight years old when he came with his father to the town of Rutland, this county. He assisted in the clearing and de- velopment of the paternal farm, receiving in meantime such education as the frontier schools supplied. He served at Sackets Harbor, in the war of 1812. On attaining his majority he located on a farm in the same town, on which his grandson. Elon O. Andrus, now resides. He was an industrious and successful farmer and became one of the leading citizens of his part of the town. He was married January 16, 1816, to Tryphena Gilbert, who was born February 24. 1789, and died July 17. 18;2, in her eighty-fourth year. He survived her seven years, passing away August 5. 1879. in his eighty-eighth year. Their children were: Lodema, born December 21, 1816, died March 18. 1841. Diadama, born June 17. 1818, was married November 13. 1861. to T. N. Clark. who died July 1. 1893: she died October 23. 1901. David, born Jan- uary 24. 1820, married Fanny Chase, March 27. 1842. His second marriage occurred May 1. 1858. the bride being Roxy Hitchcock. He was married a third time, May 29. 1870, to Mrs. Amelia ( Potter ) Boyn- ton. He died May 2, 1887. Alcesta G., born February 4. 1824. was married February 10, 1847, to Jason B. Johnson, who died October 16, 1891. She resides at Copenhagen. New York. Phebe, born Decem- ber 20, 1826, was married May 14. 1851. to Philo C. Scott, and died December 13, 1878.
(VI) Stillman, youngest child of Ezekiel (2) and Tryphena ( Gil- bert ) Andrus, was born March 8. 1833. in Rutland, in which town his life has been passed. His primary education was afforded by the public schools of the town, and was supplemented by attendance at the Black River Literary Institute at Watertown. In meantime he was busied in vacation periods in the labors of the home farm, to whose ownership he duly succeeded and which he tilled continuously until 1884. when he re- moved to the adjoining farm, on the " Middle Road." and turned over the original homestead to his son, who now occupies it. He has been a general farmer. successful and respected, and is now enjoying the fruits
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of an industrious and upright life, sound in mind and body and at peace with all the world. His religious faith is indicated by the fact that he is a regular attendant of the Universalist church of Watertown. He is not a strict partisan in politics, and supports the candidates who are in his opinion best qualified for official station. A member of South Rut- land Valley Grange, he is also a member of the Jefferson County Po- mona Grange. A man of independent thought, he is a staunch temper- ance advocate, and a supporter of all measures having for their object the betterment of mankind, both mentally and physically, and possesses the estcem of his fellow townsmen as a citizen and as a man.
Mr. Andrus was married (first) May 29, 1857, to Araminta J., daughter of Nathaniel Rudd. She died in January, 1862. leaving two sons. William Nye and Elon Oscar. The father's second marriage oc- curred February 15. 1865. to Mary A. Warner, who was born March 30. 1832. a daughter of Deacon Alexander and Urettie (Conklin) Warner. A son and daughter were born to the second marriage of Mr. Andrus, namely: Clinton Ezekiel and Mary Araminta. The par- ents reside near their children, surrounded by numerous tokens of affec- tion and filial kindness.
Elon Oscar Andrus, elder son of Stillman and Araminta J. Andrus, was born August 27, 1858. in Rutland, and began his educational train- ing in the local public school. He was subsequently a student of the Watertown High School and Cornell University, and for twelve years engaged successfully as an instructor in the public schools of the state. In 1883 he returned to the homestead and took up agriculture. In this intelligent application has achieved for him success, and he is now the owner of the farm on which he was born. Its buildings show the benefit of a wise care, and the fields bear evidence of thorough cultiva- tion. Mr. Andrus is a leading man of his town, respected as a citi- zen and public official, and a staunch supporter of Republican principles. He has served several years as a member of the town excise board, and as school trustee. and for eight years was assessor. He is a member of Court Belding. Independent Order of Foresters, of South Rutland: of Valley Grange. No. 53, of which he was five years master ; of Pomona Grange, in which he served one year as master, and of the state grange. He was married February 20, 1884. to Mary Emma Scanlan. daughter of David and Susan B. (Sullivan) Scanlan. She was born April 4, 1856, in the town of Cape Vincent. Their children are: Leland Har- rison, born August 1. 1886, and died April 12. 1889: and Milton Har-
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rison, June 24. 1801. The latter is a student of the public school near his home.
William Nye Andrus, second son of Stillman and Araminta J. ( Rudd) Andrus, was born September 8, 1860, on the homestead of his grandfather, in Rutland. He married Abby M. Woodruff in 1880, and died December 18. 1894. His son, Ulmont Stillman Andrus, born in .August, 1883, resides in Chicago.
Clinton Ezekiel Andrus, son of Stillman and Mary ( Warner) An- drus, was born May 18. 1866. and was educated in the local public school. He continued upon the paternal farm until 1883, when he lo- cated upon a farm near the old home and is a successful dairy farmer. He is a member of South Rutland Grange, as is also his wife, who is the lecturer of that body. Mr. Andrus is a worthy representative of an honorable ancestry, a citizen of worth and stability of character. He is a Republican in political principle. He was married February 14, 1893. to Anna Josephine Scanlon, daughter of David Scanlon, before- mentioned. She was born .August 9. 1866, in Cape Vincent. Their children are: Ross David, born August 27, 1896, in Rutland ; and Flor- ence Marguerite, April 8, 1900.
Mary Araminta, daughter of Stillman and Mary A. Andrus, was born December 30, 1867, in Rutland, and was educated in the public schools and Potsdam Normal School. She was married March 31, 1807, to Hiram I. Bronson, and resides on a farmi in her native town, where Mr. Bronson is one of the most progressive agriculturists. Their children are: Anna Lillian, born January 24, 1898, and Marcus Ed- ward. March 30. 1901.
(V) Elisha, fourth son and ninth child of Ezekiel and Martha ( Munson) Andrus, was born June 2, 1794, at Kinderhook, New York, and came to the town of Rutland when six years of age with his father. His educational opportunities were such as the pioneer schools of the period afforded. He assisted his father in carving out a home in the wilderness. and by industry and economy secured means to settle on a farm in the neighborhood, where he continued to reside for many years. At one time he kept a hotel. and was considered one of the leading agri- culturists of the town. He possessed the qualifications requisite for a pioneer, and was one of the finest appearing men in the county, as he was one of the finest in character. His first wife was Nancy Fish, who was born about 1798. in Bozrah, Connecticut, daughter of John Fish, who moved from Bozrah to Bloomfield. Hartford county. Connecticut.
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His wife, Lydia Lathrop, died at the age of eighty-nine years. Nancy (Fish) Andrus died July 18. 1841. Her children were named Ezekiel. Merritt Munson and Elizabeth. The first died in early manhood, and the last died in Watertown, while the wife of Hiram Mills, leaving two daughters and a son. Mr. Andrus helped build the Universalist church of Watertown, of which he was a faithful attendant, and was a lifelong Democrat. After living many years at what is now No. 49 State street. he spent a short time at Elyria, Ohio, and returned to the Water- town home, where he died. After the death of his first wife, Mr. An- drus was twice married, but there were no children by either union. He died February 15. 1884.
(VI) Merritt Munson Andrus, second son and child of Elisha and Nancy ( Fish) Andrus, was born December 9. 1824. in Rutland, where he grew up and received his primary education. For a time he was a student at Lowville Academy, and was well equipped both by na- ture and training for the active and successful life which ensued. In 1842 he came to Watertown and began the study of law in the office of Judge Joseph Mullin, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He did not engage in practice, however, as his taste led to mercantile life. In 1848, in company with W. N. Woodruff. under the style of Woodruff & Andrus, he established a successful grocery business which continued three years. At the end of that period the firm was dissolved and Mr. Andrus was joined by Francis R. Lamon (see Lamou), and another three years was passed under this arrangement, known as Lamon & Andrus, with gratifying results. From that time until his death Mr. Andrus continued the business independently and was known as one of the most successful business men of the city, as he deserved to be, for his transactions were signalized by strict integrity and fairness toward others. He passed away April 18. 1892. He was a supporter and at- tendant of the Presbyterian church, and a lifelong Democrat.
Mr. Andrus was married March 20. 1850. to Angelica Dickerson. who .was born November 6. 1833. and died December 2, 1897. Her father, Hannibal S. Dickerson, son of David S. Dickerson, was born January 27. 1808, and was granted a diploma by the Medical Society of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, New York. De- cember 25. 1826. He was licensed to practice July 26, 1828, by the Herkimer County Medical Society, and located in practice at Rice's Corners, in the town of Watertown, where he died August 19. 1845. He was highly regarded as a physician and a man. His wife, Abi Rich-
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ardson, was a daughter of Sylvester and Abigail ( Scott) Richardson.
The children of Merritt M. and Angelica Andrus are noted as follows: Sherwood D. and Seward A. are engaged in business in Chi- cago, Illinois. Ella A. is the wife of John C. Streeter (see Streeter ), and shares her home with her maiden sister, Grace. Maude M., the youngest, is the wife of Harry P. Babcock, of Watertown.
(VII) Sherwood Dickerson Andrus, third eldest child of Merritt M. and Angelica F. Andrus, was born April 5, 1855, in Watertown, and received his primary education in the public schools of that city. He subsequently attended Hope College at Holland, Michigan. In October. 1871, he became a clerk in the office of the Black River (after- ward Northern ) Insurance Company, at Watertown, and continued in this capacity until May, 1878. Thus he began his business career, which has been a busy and a successful one.
Removing to Chicago at this time, he has since been prominently identified with insurance interests of that city, with the exception of four years. He was at first assistant cashier of Sprague, Warner & Company, wholesale grocers of Chicago, for a period of one year, and was thereafter engaged in general merchandising at Leadville, Colorado, for three years. Returning to Chicago in May. 1883, he became special agent for Illinois of the Sun Fire Office, and was afterward special agent for Indiana and Illinois of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company of England. In 1890 he engaged with the National Fire In- surance Company of Hartford. Connecticut, as daily report examiner in its western department at Chicago. Mr. Andrus is now state agent of the Providence Washington Fire Insurance Company of Rhode Island, with headquarters at its western office at Chicago. He occupies a desirable position among western insurance men, being vice-president of the Fire Underwriters' Association of the Northwest. For three vears he was secretary of the Illinois State Board of Fire Underwriters, and is a member of several clubs composed largely of insurance men, including the Round Table. Adelphian, and Friendship Clubs of Chi- cago, and also of the New Illinois Athletic Club of that city. In fra- ternal bodies he affiliates with Fidelity Council. No. 74, Royal League, Ind Auburn Park Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic fraternity. He was made a Mason in Watertown Lodge, and is still held in loving re- membrance by his brethren of that body.
In politics Mr. Andrus is a consistent Republican, but has no de- sire for official preferment, and confines his activities chiefly to the per-
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formance of that duty which no true patriot ignores, namely, the expres- sion of his choice at the polls. He is an Episcopalian, and attends the worship of the church representing his creed. Mr. Andrus was mar- ried June 18, 1888, to Mrs. Laura J. Stebbins, a native of Troy, New York.
(VII) Seward E. Andrus was born June 23, 1857. in Water- town, and attended the public schools of the city until fifteen years of age. His first business undertaking was in his father's store, where he continued as clerk from twelve to fifteen years of age. He then became a clerk in the office of the Black River ( afterward Northern ) Insurance Company of Watertown. In the spring of 1893 he went to Chicago and became a clerk in the office of the Home Insurance Company of New York, where he remained six years. Subsequent to that and until March, 1904, he was employed in the office of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company of England, at Chicago. In the mean- time he had invested in Indiana oil lands, which he has now closed out with profit. He was married in 1886 to Miss Sarah Alton Richard- son, who is a native of Brownville, New York, a daughter of James H. and Jane ( Alton ) Richardson, the former a native of New York and the latter of England. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. An- drus, and died in infancy.
DAVID IRA ANDRUS was born in 1766 in the state of Con- necticut. the family being of English descent. He enlisted from South- ington as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. January 1, 1781, to serve as a fifer in the Sixth Company, Fourth Connecticut regiment, com- manded by Colonel Zebulon Butler; was transferred to Captain Robert- son's Company, Second Connecticut regiment, commanded by Colonel Heman Swift. November 1. 1782: served as private to March 1, 1783, and his name appears on the rolls to May 26. 1783. Mr. Andrus about the year 1789 went to what now comprises Oneida county, New York, to make his home, his outfit for commencing life in the new coun- try being an axe he carried with him. About this time he married Sally Ranney, also of a Connecticut family. She was a daughter of Willet and Mary Butler Ranney, and a descendant of Thomas Ranney, born in Scotland in 1616, who came to America in 1050 and settled in Con- necticut. He married Mary Hubbard, daughter of Governor Hubbard, in 1659 and died in 1713. Four of the ancestors of Sally Ranney An- drus were in the colonial wars, namely: Her grandfather, Benjamin
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Butler, William Goodrich, Thomas Starr and Captain Joseph Weld. The Andrus, Ranney. Butler. Gilbert and Wright families who settled at or near Rome, were from Middletown, or nearby towns, in Connecti- cut. Mary Butler was a sister of the wife of Ebenezer Wright and of the wife of Thomas Wright.
Mr. Andrus leased and lived on a farm of one hundred and thirty- eight acres in Wright settlement, near Rome, and in 1804 carried on a meat shop in what was then Rome village. He was one of the charter members of Roman Lodge of Freemasons in 1799 and treasurer in IS02. He came to the Black River country at an early day in company with Daniel Fox. the centenarian, who settled in the town of Adams about 1800. Mr. Andrus removed about 1805 to the town of Ellisburg, and acted as agent for Colonel Samuel Wardwell, of Rhode Island. who had made an investment in land in the town. He made improve- ments at Wardwell settlement, where he settled, and soon after com- menced improvements at Andrus settlement (now Giddingsville) to which James Constable in his journal of August, 1806, refers. Improve- ments at Little Sandy ( Mannsville ) were begun by him as early as 1811. He built the first sawmill there, which stood on the site of the present main street gristmill. The first dwelling was erected by him on the site of the present hotel : he also built a house where the Shepard house stands, and at one time was the owner of several hundred acres of land south of Mannsville. His business interests at Andrus settle- ment were extensive. He built the large Andrus hotel about 1812, a two and one-half story wood structure which was destroyed by fire in 1800. Mr. Andrus was the proprietor many years, and the hotel was a favorite stopping place with the public. the stage line making a change of horses there, and in the thriving hamlet was the center of much activ- ity. He had a family of children full of fun and frolic. and the hotel was the scene of many balls and merry-makings. The old bar-room at evening was a resort for the men employed in the mills and shops, as well as others in the neighborhood, and they would meet there to talk over the latest news or of events in the neighborhood. the occasion often enlivened by music on the violin by George Andrus, who was a fine musician. Mr. Andrus also built a sawmill and gristmill. distillery, ashery and blacksmith shop, carrying on the several branches of busi- ness and employing many men. His farm of four hundred acres fur- nished clay of superior quality for a brick yard which was in use be- fore the hotel was finished.
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In company with his son George he was in the mercantile business as early as 1810, and in 1825 built the brick store on the corner which was taken down about 1855. AAbout 1812 he built the army barracks at Sackets Harbor, and in 1817 the Jefferson County Bank building at Adams, he having been one of the directors of the bank. He was elected member of assembly in 1809 and 1812, and sheriff in 1812-13, and again 1815-18. His wife. a woman of rare excellence, died July 22. 1818, at the age of fifty-five years. There were born to them four sons and four daughters: George, horn 1789, at Rome: Lydia, 1701: Al- mira. 1795: Chauncey, 1796; Ira. 1799: Fanny, 1801: Sally, 1803: Samuel who died at about the age of fourteen years. Mary Jane was born in 1822. after his marriage to Mrs. Esther Hinman. Mr. Andrus died August 21, 1831, after a few days' illness, at the age of sixty-five years. For several years preceding his death his sons Chauncey and Ira carried on the hotel. In 1833 Joseph Giddings came into posses- sion and continued public house until about 1852, when the railroad was completed. Mr. Andrus was a portly built man; in business showed much energy, and had executive ability of a high order, and is well re- membered for his fine social qualities and his readiness to assist others. He was one of positive convictions and in religious faith a Universalist. His father died at Andrus settlement about 1823, and father, son, and other members of the family are buried in the cemetery near.
George Andrus, son of David Ira Andrus, was married August 16, 1810, to Angelina Betts, daughter of Captain Jesse Betts and Polly Jarvis Betts of Norwalk. Connecticut. He was paymaster of the regi- ment of militia in Jefferson county in 1808, and again in 1812: was a merchant at Ellisburg (Andrus settlement) 1810-13; in 1814-15 had charge of his father's interests at Little Sandy ( Mannsville) : was magis- trate in Ellisburg, 1815-20: was a merchant in Adams in the early twen- ties ; was appointed clerk of Jefferson county in 1820 by Governor De- Witt Clinton: was member of assembly in 1822. and appointed post- master at Adams the same year: in 1824-25 was a merchant at Ellis- burg, in company with his brothers, Chauncey and Ira. He owned a large farm at North Adams, and was there in 1826-29, and after, living in Watertown and in Ellisburg a few years, again made his home in Adams, where he held the office of magistrate for eight years, ending in 1845. He died June 8. 1846, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife died February 15. 1845. Twelve children were born to them: Mary Esther. born 1812: George, 1813: Almira. 1815; Frances L., 1817;
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David Ira, 1819; Angeline, 1821; Louisa, 1823; William H., 1825; Jesse B., 1828; Theodore, 1830; Thomas J., 1832: Emily, 1835. Mary Esther married Sherman S. Barnard; Almira married Elihu Allen; Frances L. married Sherman S. Barnard; Angeline married David Gaylord; Louisa married Corydon Allen. David Ira was a soldier in the Civil war in the Twelfth Regiment New York Volunteers. George Andrus was a tall, finely proportioned man, dignified in manner, of wide information, and correct and thorough in business. As a magis- trate he was one of the best. He wrote a firm plain hand, and his dock- ets were said to be the finest in the county. He was a Freemason; in religious faith a Universalist, and in politics a Democrat.
Chauncey AAndrus was a merchant many years, and in business at Andrus settlement, Sandy Creek, Union Square and Pierrepont Manor. About 1854 he bought a farm two miles south of Mannsville, and lived there a few years. The family removed about 1860 to Montclair, New Jersey, where he died in 1871. He married Nancy Lord, born in Hartford, Connecticut, who died in 1877. Seven children were born to them: John H., Antoinette, Cornelia, Delia, married to Horace Barnes, James, Jay, and Frances, married to John Lord. John H. was a wholesale dry goods merchant in New York during the sixties, and died in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Ira Andrus married Melinda Taft, of a Vermont family. With his brother Chauncey he succeeded his father in the management of the Andrus hotel. He lived in Wardwell settlement many years, and had an interest in a distillery there. An excellent horseman, he always drove a spirited team and made a fine appearance on horseback at gen- eral trainings. Six children were born to Ira and wife: Samuel J., Sarah married Andrew Webster, Charles, David, William, Reuben. Mr. Andrus died in 1842 of smallpox, to which he was exposed in Kingston, Canada, while on a trip to buy cattle. His youngest son Reuben was taken with the same disease and died. His widow survived him until 1888. Samuel and David were for many years proprietors of the hotel at Pierrepont Manor.
Lydia Andrus married, about 1830, Josiah Cornwell, and died in 1873 at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Cornwell carried on the brick- yard at Andrus settlement many years.
Almira Andrus married Joseph Giddings, who was from Vermont, ind died in 1828. Four sons were born to them: Legrand; John Jay, who died young ; Henry and Benjamin.
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Fanny Andrus, of very pleasing address and a fine singer, married Homer Hunt, and died in 1838. Two sons were born to them: George and Edward.
Sally Andrus married Joseph Giddings, and died in 1873. They lived many years at the Andrus hotel.
Mary Jane Andrus died in 1884.
CLARK GILES MERRIMAN, a successful farmer of the town of LeRay, brings intelligence to bear upon the exercise of his calling, and his industry and sound business methods have brought him their sure return. His family was among those early located in northern New York, and is of New England ancestry. The name of Merriman ( or Merriam, all of same ancestry), was one of the earliest in New Eng- land, and one of the name was an original proprietor of New Haven, Connecticut.
Amos Merriman, a native of Massachusetts, was a pioneer settler in Russia, Herkimer county, this state, where he lived and died. He was twice married, and the children of the second wife included Lyman, Joel, Orrey and Roxana. The latter was never married.
Orrey, youngest son of Amos Merriman, was born May 20, 1796, in Massachusetts, whence he went with his parents when a small boy to Russia, where he grew up. Before he was married he settled in the town of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, and bought land there. After a time he sold this and bought a farm in the town of LeRay near Sterlingville. His stay here was short, and he sold and again purchased a farm in Gouverneur, near the Oswehatchie river, between Gouverneur and Ox Bow. He was married in 1824, in St. Lawrence county, to Amanda Van Namee, a native of Norway, Herkimer county, New York. She was born August 20, 1807, and died April 8, 1880, in Gouverneur. Mr. Merriman died in 1876 in the same town. He was a strong Universalist in religious faith, and an uncompromising Demo- crat in political principle. He had five sons and two daughters. The eld'est. Orlando Crosby, has been a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the last forty-five years. William Addison, the second. died at Spragueville. Sally Ann married William Herring, and both died in Gouverneur. Lucina Amanda is the widow of George Fredenburg, residing in the village of Gouverneur. Stephen A. receives farther men- tion below. Oscar Erastus resides in Richville, and Lyman Giles died in Gouverneur in 1887.
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