USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume II > Part 50
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Samuel, son of Archibald and Jane Branaugh, was born September II. 1823, in the city of Belfast, Ireland, and was seven years of age when he came, with his parents. to this country. Most of his schooling was received in the district schools of Greene county, but he was an observer of events, a reader and student of men and things, and became an ex- ceptionally well-informed man. Early in life he began working in a tannery in Greene county, and all his active life was identified with the tanning business. Being industrious, intelligent and observant, he soon became valuable to his employers, and was advanced to positions of re- sponsibility. For many years he was located at Salisbury Center. Lewis county, where he was foreman in the tannery of Stewart & Morrow. and was also employed by John C. Pitt, at Danesville.
In 1870 he became a resident of Carthage, and was thereafter one of the leading business men of the place. He bought the old "Long Falls " tannery of James H. Morrow, which he rebuilt and continued to operate until 1887. Soon after coming here he purchased the tannery at Belfort, in Lewis county, which he operated many years. He subse- quently acquired a tannery at Croghan, and had three in operation simul- taneously for some time. In 1893 he sold out to the United States
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Leather Company and retired from active business. In the meantime he had identified himself in many ways with the life and progress of Carth- age. He was among the founders of the "Carthage Tribune," remain- ing a stockholder until the acquisition of the property by the present owner, and was a director of the First National Bank. He served one term as president of the village, and also acted as chairman of the board of water commissioners. Of independent thought, he affiliated most of the time with the Republican party, and was a regular attendant of the Methodist church. He died June 27, 1895, and was universally regret- ted as a public-spirited and liberal citizen, kind to the unfortunate, and tolerant of the opinions of others, though firm in his own convictions.
Mr. Branaugh was married September 6, 1848, at Manheim, New York, to Miss Diana Bellinger, a native of that place, and daughter of Adam and Diana (Beidelman) Bellinger, all of German descent. Mrs. Branaugh was born June 29, 1830, and died March 30, 1889. Of her two sons and three daughters, one of each died in childhood. Of the survivors, Martha, the eldest, is the widow of P. J. Corcoran, residing in Carthage. Jessie, the second, is the wife of Lowell A. Winn, and has her home at Madison, Wisconsin. The subject of this sketch is the youngest.
E. Wallace Branaugh was born March 12, 1871, in Carthage, and grew up here, receiving his primary education in the public schools of the village. After graduating from Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1889, he attended Fairview Seminary one year. At the age of nineteen years he began his business career as as- sistant to the superintendent at his father's Croghan tannery. He soon succeeded to the charge of that industry and so continued until it was sold in 1893. Subsequently he spent five years in charge of a tannery operated by the United States Leather Company at Jerden Falls. This was closed out on account of the decline of the tanning business in this section, and he then went to Lowville and purchased the interest of P. J. Corcoran in a flour and feed business, which was conducted one year by Yousey & Branaugh. The business was then sold, and Mr. Bran- augh came to Carthage.
For two years Mr. Branaugh was a member of the firm of Bran- augh & Jones, in association with John G. Jones, operating largely in the production of lime at Natural Bridge. In 1901 he sold his interest to Peter Yousey, and in January, 1903, acquired the ice, coal and build- ers' material business of N. W. Maxwell, which he is now conducting
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with satisfactory results. He is interested in the Carthage Electric Light and Power Company, and is a director of the Raymondville Paper Company. He is a Democrat, of independent tendencies, and desires no official honors or emoluments.
He was married March 18, 1894. to Miss Ida Warne, a native of Ovid, New York.
JOHN GEORGE JONES, one of the substantial business men of Carthage, is a descendant of old New England ancestry. He was born December 22, 1862, in Deerfield. Massachusetts, a son of George W. and Ellen Jones, also natives of Deerfield.
His grandfather, John Jones, was born in Deerfield, a descendant of early Welsh settlers of New England. His wife was a Wolcott and reached the venerable age of ninety years. He died at the age of eighty years. He was a large farmer, and many years a deacon of the Baptist church, and had a family of four sons and five daughters. Of these, George W. Jones died at the age of sixty-seven years, in 1892. He was a farmer and engaged extensively in the exportation of cattle. He filled most of the town offices, and was several times repre- sentative of the town in the general assembly. He was only prevented from serving in the civil war by the care of a growing family. He was an ardent Abolitionist, and espoused the cause of the Republican party upon its organization. He was married soon after attaining his ma- jority to Ellen Jones (not a near relative), whose parents lived and died in Deerfield. They were the parents of five sons and a daughter : Charles, the eldest. is a farmer residing in Deerfield: Clarence is in- terested in mining, with headquarters at Seattle, Washington: Stella A. is unmarried. and resides in New Haven, Connecticut: Frank is engaged in mining in Montana: Allen P. is a citizen of Greenfield, Massachusetts.
John G. Jones, youngest of his father's family grew up on a farm in Deerfield, assisting in the labors incident to such a life, and in the meantime purstied his education in Dickinson Academy of that town. Entering Williams College of Williamstown. Massachusetts, he grad- uated from that institution in 1885, and also took a prominent part in the athletic sports pertaining to college life. After studying law one year he spent one year on the home farm, and then took the position of chemist with the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company. of Ticon- deroga, New York, which he filled from 1887 to 1894.
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In the last-named year Mr. Jones became a resident of Carthage and acquired an interest in the Wendler Machine Company, of which he was made treasurer. After the business of this concern was closed up he traveled two years as the representative of the Hazelton Boiler Company of New York. During the succeeding three years he was associated with E. W. Branaugh, of Carthage, in the lime business, with quarries at Natural Bridge, the firm being known as Branaugh & Jones. In February, 1902, Mr. Jones was instrumental in organiz- ing the New York Lime Company, which acquired the quarries and business, Mr. Jones being made president. This concern does a large business, both in the manufacture of building lime and a product used in the manufacture of paper, which finds a large demand among the numerous paper mills of the Black River Valley and other parts of the United States. Mr. Jones also represents in this vicinity the in- terests of the Manitowoc Steam Boiler Works of Manitowoc. Wis- consin, the McNeil Boiler Works of Akron, Ohio, and the Fitchburg Steam Engine Company of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
He takes an active interest in any movement calculated to benefit the town and its vicinity, and still retains a sustaining regard for manly sports and contests. He was made a Mason in Mount Defiance Lodge. No. 794. of Ticonderoga, and now affiliates with Carthage Lodge of that fraternity. He is also a member of the local chapter. Royal Arch Masons, the commandery, the Mystic Shrine. of Water- town, and the Lodge of Perfection of that city. He is a member of the Carthage Club, and has always given suport to Republican principles, exercising considerable influence in the local councils of the party.
Mr. Jones was married in November. 1887, to Miss Emma May Landon, a native of New York city, daughter of Edward and E. S. Landon. Edward Landon is now deceased, and his widow resides with a son at Waltham, Massachusetts. \ son completes the family of Mr. Jones, namely, Harold Landon, aged fourteen years, a student in St. John's Military Schoch at Manlius, New York.
C. F. PECK. The name of C. F. Peck is familiar to all residents of Watertown as that of an enterprising and successful business man ind a worthy citizen. Ile comes of New England ancestry, his progen- itors having emigrated from Connecticut to Flushing. Long Island. where his father. Hamilton Peck, was born. The latter appears to
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have inherited a migratory instinct, inasmuch as he left his birthplace and engaged in business in New York and Milwaukee. He came to Watertown with the Davis Sewing Machine Company, with which he was for a time associated. He married Annie M., daughter of Philo Johnston, a representative of one of the old families of Water- town. Two children were born to them. The death of Mr. Peck oc- curred August 17, 1886. He is remembered by all who knew him as a useful man and a good citizen. His widow is still living at the advanced age of seventy-eight years.
C. F. Peck, son of Hamilton and Annie M. (Johnston ) Peck, was born in Watertown, where he received his education in the common schools. For ten years he was connected with the Agricultural In- surance Company of Watertown, a fact which speaks volumes both for his business ability and his integrity of character. In 1901 he associated himself with A. D. Seaver in the general insurance busi- ness, and the high standing of the organization, together with its flourishing financial condition and its constantly extending connec- tions are to be attributed largely to the honorable dealing and admir- able business qualifications of the heads of the firm. Although not actively engaged in public affairs, Mr. Peck is attentive to all the essen- tial duties of citizenship and takes an interest in all that relates to the well-being of society and the prosperity of the community.
Mr. Peck married June 20, 1893. Margaret, daughter of Sidney Cooper, and they are the parents of one daughter. Elizabeth C. Mrs. Peck is an earnest worker in the charitable and benevolent organiza- tions of the First Presbyterian church.
JOHN HENRY TREADWELL, who was one of the most dis- tinguished residents of Watertown a score of years ago, was a repre- sentative of very old families, of the finest New England traditions. His grandfather, Samuel Treadwell, was a son of Hezekiah and Abiah ( Stilson) Treadwell, and resided at New Milford, Connecticut. He was born there May 5. 1788, and died June 1. 1867. He was married December 23. 1810, to Jane Prime, also a native of New Milford, born November 11, 1782, and died April 14. 1864. They had three children.
Jane Prime was a granddaughter of William and Sarah (Garlick) Prime of New Milford. Asa, son of William and Sarah Prime, was born July 15. 1753. in New Milford, and died April 6, 1817. He was a blacksmith by trade, and helped make the chain which was stretched
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across the Hudson to prevent the advance of British ships up that river during the Revolution. He was also a noted wrestler, and made trips to New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore to engage in wrestling con- tests. He was married June 25, 1778. to Phebe Resseguie, who was born March 31, 1754, and died February 9. 1815. in New Milford. She was a daughter of Abraham and Jane Resseguie (see Resseguie, II). Abraham was a son of Alexander and Sara ( Bontecou) Resseguie (see Bontecou, II).
Henry Resseguie Treadwell, second son and child of Samuel and Jane ( Prime) Treadwell, was born January 17, 1817. in New Milford, Connecticut, and became an expert in antique goods. At different times he was connected with the firms of Tiffany & Company and Sypher & Company of New York city, and was an owner in the business for many years. He was married May 16. 1843. to Martha Downs Mygatt, who was born February 13. 1823, and died May 1. 1859. Her sister, Ruth, born September 9. 1832, became the wife of Mr. Resseguie. April 8. 1879.
John Henry Treadwell, son of Henry Resseguie and Martha D. (Mygatt) Treadwell. was born June 18. 1846. in New York city, and was educated at the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University. He was a man of scholarly tastes and liberal culture, whose position af- forded him the leisure to exercise his gifts without thought of reward. He was a newspaper correspondent and a writer of note, particularly along the line of antiquarian and historical subjects. He had many talents and might have distinguished himself in other lines than those he followed, had his strength permitted.
When sixteen years old, he made long voyages for the benefit of his health, and after leaving school he entered the navy and in the course of his travels went around Cape Horn three times. Possessed of artistic and musical ability, he was able to make his home most at- tractive. On returning from his sea voyages he spent some years in the antique store of his father in New York, the first of the kind in that city. He had a taste for architecture, all his life was an enthusiastic student of that art. and designed several fine residences. His principal creative work, however, was in the field of literature. He wrote the first American book on pottery and porcelain, and was the author of the first life of Martin Luther in English. Though he was a frequent contrilmtor to periodical literature, and brought out a number of books. much of his writing has never been published. He took an active part
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in the life of the city, and was connected with the Presbyterian church of Watertown. He died January 12, 1883.
John Henry Treadwell was married April 7, 1870, to Helen Irene Nicoll, widowed daughter of Dr. Leonard Lee of Newburg, New York. She died without issue, January 14, 1872, and Mr. Treadwell was mar- ried November 6. 1873, to Miss Mary Seymour Brainard, daughter of the late Orville V. Brainard ( see Brainard, VIII). Mr. and Mrs. Treadwell were the parents of a daughter and son, namely: Helen Irene and Brainard H. Treadwell. The former is now the wife of George D. Huntington of Watertown, and mother of Frances D. Hunt- ington. Mr. B. H. Treadwell is connected with the paper-making in- dustry, with home in Watertown.
HENDERSON MILLER CLARKE was for a number of years a well known factor in business circles in Watertown, and is a native son of this place, born on the 2d of May, 1860. About forty-five years ago his father, Joseph Clarke, accompanied by his wife, came from England to America. He belonged to an old English family, and in his native country acquired his education through seven years' attendance at the common schools. He learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner. and for many years devoted his energies to the art of wood carving, winning for himself an excellent reputation in this particular branch of his trade. Crossing the Atlantic, he settled in Kingston, Canada, where he remained for a year, after which he removed to Watertown, New York, where he won for himself a most enviable rep- utation and gratifying success in the field of his chosen endeavor. There are many evidences to be found to-day in Watertown of his superior workmanship. Many exquisite designs in wood-carving in the old Paddock mansion are proof of his superiority in his chosen vocation, and have received the highest encomiums of hundreds of lovers of the art. many of whom have come long distances to Water- town in order to obtain new ideas in wood-carving from the work executed by Mr. Clarke. In early manhood in England he wedded Miss Mary Miller, who was about his own age and was likewise of English parentage. She, too, was educated in the English schools. For many years both Mr. and Mrs. Clarke were devoted members and earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal church. His death oc- curred when he was seventy years of age, and she survived him for only a brief period.
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Henderson Miller Clarke, reared in his parents' home and edu- cated in the public schools of Watertown, entered upon his business career as a meat cutter, and followed that pursuit for a considerable period. He afterward held the responsible position of manager for the Armour Refrigerating Company in Watertown for many years, and as a retail dealer in meats in his native city he gained for himself an en- viable reputation for honorable dealing, his uniform courtesy and ob- liging manner making him popular with his numerous patrons. He, too, is of the Episcopalian faith, being a communicant of Grace church of Watertown. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy.
On the 30th of June. 1890, Mr. Clarke was united in marriage to Miss Julia Pauline O'Leary, the wedding being celebrated at the home of her parents. James and Ellen O'Leary, near Potsdam, New York. Her father and mother, natives of Ireland, are still living upon their farm at Potsdam. Their daughter Julia was born there April 14, 1871. She is of the Catholic faith, and holds membership with the church of the Holy Trinity at Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke occupy a comfortable home at No. 12 Gotham street in his native city.
FRANCIS WILLIAMS SACKET. of Cape Vincent, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, September 15. 1867. His father, Delos Ben- nett Sacket, was born at Cape Vincent. New York, on the 14th of April, 1822, and after pursuing his preliminary education entered the West Point Military Academy when eighteen years of age. He was there graduated in 1840, being a member of the same class to which General William T. Sherman belonged. He afterward entered the Mexican war, in which he served as a lieutenant of cavalry, and when the coun- try became engaged in Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union, served through the period of hostilities, and was a member of General McClellan's staff. On the march from the Indian Territory to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, May 3 to May 27. 1851. he was acting lieu- tenant-colonel. He served as inspector-general of the department of Washington from the 13th of June until the 8th of August. 1861, and was then appointed to duty as mustering and disbursing officer at New York city, where he remained until the 12th of December, 1861. He was inspector-general of the Army of the Potomac, December 13. 1861, to January 10, 1863. being at the headquarters of the army at Washington, D. C .. from December 13, 1861, to March 10. 1862. He
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was in the Virginia peninsular campaign on the staff of Major General McClellan, during which time he was present at the battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862; battle of Glendale, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862; and was in the Maryland campaign on the staff of the commanding general of the Army of the Potomac, being present at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. He was also in the Rap- pahannock campaign on the staff of Major General Burnside, in De- cember. 1862, and January, 1863, and was present at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. He was in charge of the inspec- tor-general's office at Washington from January to to May 26, 1863, and served as a member of the board to organize the invalid corps from the 26th of May to the Ioth of August, 1863. He next became a mem- ber of the board for retiring disabled officers, and thus served from the 10th of August, 1863, until April 1, 1864, when he was assigned to inspection duty in the departments of the Tennessee, Cumberland, Arkansas and New Mexico, after which he was sent to New York to await orders. He received the brevet of major-general in the United States army March 13, 1865, for faithful and meritorious service dur- ing the Rebellion. His death occurred in Washington March 18. 1885. He married Frances Ann Williams, who was born in New York city, December 2, 1834. Her father settled in New York at an early day and became the owner of the property bounded by Fourteenth and Nineteenth-and-a-half street, and by Broadway and Third avenue.
The children of General Delos B. and Frances A. ( Williams ) Sacket are: Frank W., of this review; Cornelius Tiebout, born in Jan- uary, 1870; and Eluza Ross, who was born in April, 1872, and mar- ried Charles Moore De Valin, past assistant surgeon of the United States Army. They have one child, Frances Sacket De Valin, born in November, 1900.
Francis William Sacket pursued a preparatory course of study in Trinity School on the Hudson, and in 1887 entered Yale College, in which he completed a four years' course with the class of 1891. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal church at Cape Vincent. He also belongs to Cape Vincent Lodge, No. 293, F. and A. M .; Chapter No. 96, R. A. M .; and Water- town Commandery, No. 11, K. T.
NATHAN G. WHITFORD, a venerable and esteemed resident of the town of Rodman, where he has successfully followed agricult-
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ural pursuits for more than half a century, was born in Alleghany county, New York, November 24. 1819. a son of Jesse and Olive ( Bardick ) Whitford, and grandson of Jesse and Rue (Greenman ) Whitford. who came from Rhode Island to New York, settling in Madison county. where they engaged in farming. The family are of English and Scotch ancestry.
Jesse Whitford ( father) was born in Brookfield, Madison county, New York. He was a farmer by occupation, a Whig in politics and a Seventh Day Baptist in religion. He was a man of substance, and stood high in the community. where he was esteemed for his sterling qualifications. His wife, Olive (Bardick) Whitford, was also a native of Brookfield, Madison county. New York. After a life of usefulness. Jesse Whitford died. aged fifty-one years.
Nathan G. Whitford was reared on his father's farm, acquired the rudiments of education in the common schools of his neighbor- hood, and in 1842 came to Jefferson county, securing employment by the month at farming. He then worked a farm on shares, subsequently purchasing the same and residing thereon up to the present time ( 1904). At that time the farm consisted of fifty-one acres of arable land. but by various purchases it increased to one hundred and eleven acres. all under a high state of cultivation, whereon he erected a fine and com- modions residence. He is thorough and painstaking in his work, this fact being fully attested by the abundant crops produced upon his estate, which are of excellent quality and therefore find a ready sale. In 1862 Mr. Whitford enlisted in Company B. New York Heavy Artillery, but after four months service was discharged on account of impaired health; he is a pensioner of the United States government. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. the principles of which he has always firmly upheld and supported.
On January 5. 1844. Mr. Whitford married Mrs. Charlotte W. Whitford. widow of AAlbert Whitford, a cousin of Nathan G. Whit- ford and daughter of Jacob and Dorcas ( Rathbun) Heath, residents of Rodman. She was born November 1, 1822. Jacob Heath came from Washington. county. New York, about the year 1808, settled on a farm located between the two bridges, near the southwest corner of Rodman, and in addition to being a successful farmer was a man- ufacturer of woolen cloth, and also an active partner in the operation of a grist mill and still. He was a very influential man in the community, standing high in the estimation of all. He was a Whig in politics.
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His death occurred in 1868, aged eighty-four years; his wife, Dorcas ( Rathbun) Heath, passed away in 1890, having attained the extreme old age of ninety-seven years. Three sons compose the family of Mr. and Mrs. Whitford : Albert, born in 1832, who was the issue of her first marriage; he is engaged in farming near by. Nathan Aldro, born in 1849, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Jesse Samuel, born December 24. 1862. is engaged in agricultural pursuits on the home farm: he married Harriet Kellogg, daughter of George Kellogg, a farmer, residing in Adams, New York, and one child has been born to them: Mary Jane Whitford. Mr. Whitford and his family are members of the Seventh Day Baptist church of Adams Centre, New York. They are highly esteemed by their neighbors and friends.
WILLIAM H. REES. Among those residents of Clayton who, by reason of ability and character, exert an influence which never fails to make itself felt on the side of progress and good government, is William H. Rees. The first of the family whose name appears on the record was Eben Rees, a native of Caermarthenshire, South Wales, who lived and died in his birthplace. His son, Thomas Rees, who was a farmer, emigrated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, subsequently removing to New York city, where he remained for a year and then came to Jefferson county, New York, making his way to what was then known as French creek. The journey consumed fourteen days, he traveling by canal from Albany to Oswego, thence by schooner to Clayton. He married Mary, daughter of William and Mary Saunders of Caermarthenshire, and their children were: Mary Ann, David S., William, Evan J., Henry C., and Thomas; the last named is mentioned at length hereinafter. The parents and children were all members of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Rees died in 1840. at the age of sixty-eight. and his wife survived him many years, passing away in 1860. being then eighty years of age.
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