USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume II > Part 55
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Milton Carpenter ( father ) was born in Huntington. Fairfield county, Connecticut. February 17, 1801, the fourth son in a family of nine children born to William and Charity ( Hawley) Carpenter. He remained under the parental roof until about fifteen years of age. when he began learning the tanner's and currier's trade, serving three years' apprenticeship in New Milford, Connecticut, and also three years in Oxford, New York. On the expiration of the latter period he came to Watertown, Jefferson county, but not finding employment at his trade he went to Kingston, Canada, and remained there three years, working at his trade, returning to Watertown in the year 1826. Two years later he entered into partnership with Mr. Kitts in the manu-
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facture of morocco, and in connection with this business they dealt quite largely in wool, making their principal sales in Albany and Provi- idence. A fire resulted very disastrously for the firm in the year 1833, and the following year the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Carpenter then conducted business alone for some two years, but, competition being so great, he relinquished the business, except to occasionally work at his trade by jobs or by the day. In 1856 he went to Warsaw, Wiscon- sin, and was engaged in the carpenter and joiner business for the greater part of his four years' residence there. Ile subsequently returned to Watertown, and to some extent assisted his son in the conduct of a tannery in St. Lawrence county. In community interests Mr. Carpen- ter was active, largely promoting the public welfare through his co- operation in many movements for the general good. He was one of the original members of the Neptune Engine Company, No. 3. which was organized in April. 1835, and was furnished with the first brake engine brought to the village. The old apparatus was housed in Fac- tory Square, in the locality where a fire station is now maintained. He gave his political support to the Democracy throughout his entire life, but never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office.
In 1829. at the age of twenty-eight years, Mr. Carpenter mar- ried Miss Rachel Nash. of Albany. New York, and they were the par- ents of nine children : Cyrus, Caroline. John M., Mary, Milton, George, Sidney, Horace. and Hattie. Of these only three are now living : John M., mentioned at length hereinafter; Hattie, the wife of Mr. Ridley, of Denver, Colorado; and Mary, the widow of Mr. Lamon. Milton Carpenter ( father ) died in 1897, at the venerable age of ninety-six years, and his wife passed away in 1874, aged sixty-five years.
The first business experience gained by John M. Carpenter after acquiring a common school education was in the mercantile trade, which line of industry he continued to follow until 1883, covering a period of a quarter of a century. Ile then entered into business relations with the Watertown Spring Wagon Works, serving in the capacity of sec- retary and treasurer. In 1889 he was one of the organizers of the Wa- tertown Carriage Company, which was incorporated November 2 of that year, and the name was changed to that of the Excelsior Carriage Company, February 7. 1890. After the preliminaries were settled the company began business in the works recently vacated by the Davis Sewing Machine Company, which were located above the bridge on Sewall's Island, where it has since continued in successful operation.
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and now ranks as one of the substantial and growing enterprises of the city of Watertown, giving employment to one hundred skilled workmen and mechanics. The present officers of the company are: George B. Massey, president; Edmund S. Goodale, vice-president ; and John M. Carpenter, secretary and treasurer. The esteem in which Mr. Carpenter is held by his fellow-citizens is evidenced by the fact that he is serving as president of the board of public safety of Watertown and was the incumbent of the office of county treasurer for six consecutive years, from 1869 to 1875. He is a Republican in politics, and has al- ways taken an active interest in municipal and county affairs. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge and the Union Club.
On January 17. 1856, Mr. Carpenter married Amanda Jane Graves, daughter of Sammuel Graves, of Watertown, New York. Five children were born of this union, three of whom are now living : Rachel May, Fred M., and John M. Carpenter. Jr.
WILLIAM COLON, a well-known and popular resident of Pierre- pont Manor, comes of New England ancestry. His grandfather, Abram Colon, was a native of Vermont, whence he came in early life to Jef- ferson county, where he took up a tract of wild land on the lake shore. He married Cena Sherman, and both he and his wife are remembered as worthy members of that sturdy pioneer class to which the commun- ity is so largely indebted for its present prosperity.
Gideon Colon, son of Abram and Cena (Sherman) Colon, was born December 7, 1826, in Ellisburg township, where he was reared on the paternal farm. On reaching manhood he became a sailor, and for twenty-one years served as cook on various steamers plying on the great lakes. The latter part of his life was spent as a farmer. He married Artimeca, daughter of Alba and Charlotte ( Farnam) Collins, pioneers of Lyme township, where their daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs. Colon had two children: William, mentioned at length here- inafter ; and Ella, who became the wife of Martin Kibling, a farmer of Ellisburgh.
William Colon, son of Gideon and Artimeca ( Collins) Colon, was born May 17, 1857, on the farm which is now his home. Here he grew up, receiving his education in the common schools. From early youth he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and on the death of his father succeeded to the ownership of the homestead. Under his skilful management it was rendered productive and remunerative, and
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maintained its owner's reputation as an able and industrious farmer. In 1903 Mr. Colon became the proprietor of the hotel at Pierrepont Manor Station, and has already given proof of capability in his new calling. He is a member of the Grange, and in both theory and prac- tice an earnest Republican. As a citizen he is much esteemed.
Mr. Colon married January 1, 1879. Nattie, born December 22, 1856, daughter of Ezra and Malel ( Whaley) Christman, the former a farmer of Ellisburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Colon are the parents of two children, a son and a daughter: Lena May, who was born August 7, 1882: and Leon Lewis, who was born October 23. 1887.
WARD NIND EMMONS. AAmong the representatives of the agricultural interests of Jefferson county, New York, may be men- tioned Ward N. Emmons, who has conducted extensive operations at Allendale, town of Lorraine. for well nigh half a century. He was born in Bishop street. Henderson, New York. May 18, 1834. a son of Ebenezer, Jr., and Chloe ( McNitt) Emmons, the former named having been born in Kennebec, Maine, and the latter in Henderson, New York, a daughter of Captain Samnel MeNitt.
The grandfather of Ebenezer Emmons. Jr., was killed by In- dians in the Revolutionary war, leaving a wife and little son Ebenezer. The son was a devout Christian, and an industrious man. He was a saw- ver by trade, and it is narrated of him that he narrowly escaped death while engaged in his calling. Wearied out. he lay down on a log on the mill carrier. and fell asleep. A number of jeering fellow work- men, when the carrier commenced to move toward the saw, wondered among themselves if " the pions old fool would lay there and have his head cut off." They became frightened, however, when the man was drawn so near to the saw that another instant and he would have been (lecapitated. As if arrested by an invisible power, the carrier came to a stop, and Emmons suddenly awoke, and the men ran away and they could not be persuaded to return. He married and became the father of Ebenezer Emmons. Jr., who married Chloe, daughter of Captain Samuel MeNitt. who saved the battle of Sackets Harbor. June 20, 1813. General Brown was so pleased with his heroism that he pre- sented him with a sword, which is now in the national museum in Wash- ington City.
Ward N. Emmons obtained a practical education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and at the seminary at Fulton, New York,
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which he attended during two winter terms. In the spring of 1847. at the age of thirteen years, he began his active career as a sailor, fol- lowing that occupation on the great lakes for twenty-nine years. When twenty-three years of age he was appointed captain of a vessel, and served in that capacity for twenty-one consecutive years. In 1859 he settled on the farm where he has since resided, which consists of one hundred and eighty-six acres of valuable land, but for several years thereafter he continued his seafaring life. He erected several com- modions buildings on the property, and his land is devoted to general farming and dairying, which has proved a most remunerative source of income. In early life he voted the Republican ticket. but since 1876 he has cast his vote for the candidates of the opposing party. In 1878 lie was appointed deputy sheriff under Sheriff Leonard Seaton, and he was the incumbent of that office for nine years. He was one of the assessors of the town four terms, and was an active and prominent factor in school affairs, in which he has always taken a deep and last- ing interest. At the age of twenty-one he became a Mason, and has af- filiated with that order ever since, and he is also a member of the Grange.
On December 25. 1856, Mr. Emmons married Lucinda A. Mc- Cumber, born in Henderson, New York, September 5. 1833. a daugh- ter of Jededialı and Betsy ( Bell) McCumber. Two children were born of this union: 1. Linnie E., born November 19, 1857, who became the wife of Frank C. Allen, of Allendale, a grandson of General Clark Allen, and a direct descendant of Colonel Ethan Allen, of Revolution- ary fame; of this union two children were born: Minnie E., and Elisha W. 2. Willis C., born January 1, 1866, died February 25. 1872. aged six years. Mr. and Mrs. Emmons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which they contribute liberally, and he has served in the capacity of class leader since 1894. a period of nine years. The family are highly respected and esteemed in the neighborhood for their many excellent qualities.
Mrs. Emmons is descended from early New England ancestry. Roger Williams, founder of Providence, Rhode Island, in 1636, mar- ried Mary, the only daughter of Jedediah McCumber. Betty Stark, wife of General John Stark, of Revolutionary fame, was a McCumber. As General Stark was about to engage in battle, he said to his men, " Boys, there are the Redcoats. We must beat them or Betty Stark is a widow tonight." She was not a widow. Mrs. Ward N. Emmons
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has often heard her aged father quote the above. There were two Stark sisters, Susanna and Mollie: Mollie married Gilderoy Lord, of Watertown, and Susanna married Jedediah McCumber, of Ellisburgh. The last named pair had several children, and to the first son they gave the name of Jedediah, following the family custom for several genera- tions back by naming the first son Jedediah. This Jedediah mar- ried Alice Bigelow. 1802. He was one of the surveyors who ran the road through from Rome to Sackets Harbor. His first son, Jedediah, of Henderson, born in 1804. married Betsey Bell in 1829; she came from an Albany family of good old Quaker stock, among whom were James Bell. William Gifford, and Luman Peck, the last named of whom was either father or grandfather of Bishop Peck, of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Mrs. McCumber was a noble Christian wom- an, and was held in affection by the entire community : she died in 1889. at the age of eighty-one years. after a married life of sixty-one years. Her husband. Jedediah McCumber, was a clothier, working at his trade until 1837, when he bought a farm upon which he lived during the re- mainder of his days, passing away at the remarkable age of ninety- six years. Of the five children born to them, James Jedediah died in in- fancy. Those now living are a son. James, and two daughters: Eliza- beth (Mrs. O. K. Estes), and Lucinda ( Mrs. Ward N. Emmons).
FREDERICK JACOB WECKESSER, one of Jefferson county's energetic and successful sons, is a native of the town of Clayton, born November 14, 1867. His parents, Frank Joseph and Susan (Grimm) Weckesser, were born near Heidelberg, Germany, and were married in this country. Frank J. Weckesser was apprenticed to the trade of butcher, and followed it all his life. He served as a German soldier during the Revolution of 1848. When about twenty-five years of age he came to America and located at once in the town of Clayton, this county. Soon after he removed to Lafargeville, where he engaged in business for himself, as butcher and meat dealer, which occupied his attention until his death, October 5. 1887, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife died May 10. 1886, aged fifty-two. They were members of the German Evangelical church, and Mr. Weckesser supported the Republican party in political affairs. They were the parents of two sons, the eller of whom. John .A., is his father's successor in business at Lafargeville.
Frederick J. Weckesser grew up in Lafargeville, attending the
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public school of that village until seventeen years of age. In the mean- time he had spent some time during vacations in the store of George Lingenfelter, and passed five years altogether in that establishment, thus gaining a knowledge of general stocks, and a valuable experience. Subsequently he spent three years with Bush, Bull & Roth, large mer- chants of Watertown.
In April, 1894, he entered the employ of Mr. Fred MI. Kirby, a former Watertown man, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, whose early experience was much like his own. The first work with Mr. Kirby was the opening of a five and ten cent store in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, of which he had charge one year. He next opened a similar store and took charge of it for one year at Baltimore, Maryland. His energy and efficiency made him a valuable man to his employer, and he was called to Wilkes Barre and made buyer and confidential man at the central of- fice. which now controls thirty-two stores. This arrangement has now continued eleven years, with mutual satisfaction to the parties con- cerned, and Mr. Weckesser is counted among the valued citizens of Wilkes Barre. He is interested in some of its leading financial institu- tions, and is a director of the Luzerne County Trust Company, is a member of the Westmoreland and Wyoming Valley Country Clubs, and president of the Franklin Club, a leading social organization of Wilkes Barre. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of that city, and is an enthusiastic Republican, though not a practical poli- tician.
Mr. Weckesser was married June 15, 1892, to Anna Elizabeth Hammond, who was born September 3. 1870, in Rutland, New York, a daughter of George and Fanny (Sawyer) Hammond, the latter a daughter of Joseph W. Sawyer (see Sawyer, VI). Mr. and Mrs. Weckesser are the parents of two daughters, Esther Fanny and Marion.
ARTHUR J. THOMPSON, a member of the firm of William H. Thompson & Sons, of Alexandria Bay, New York, and an impor- tant factor in the affairs of the community, was born December 25, 1857, a son of William H. and Sarah (Carter) Thompson, grandson of Jonathan B. and Sally ( Brown) Thompson.
Dr. Ichabod Thompson (great-grandfather ) was born at Colerain, Franklin county, Massachusetts, and for a number of years practiced medicine at Newville. During a heavy storm in the spring of 1818 a bridge had been carried away, and the night being very dark, he was
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thrown into the creek, thereby contracting a severe cold, from the ef- fects of which he died in the forty-fifth year of his age. His wife was Elizabeth (Bruce) Thompson, who was born in 1770. at Weathers- field. Connecticut, daughter of Mr. Bruce, a sea captain. At her huis- band's death she was left with seven children, whom she reared to be- come useful citizens. She was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. Her death occurred in 1838. aged sixty-eight years.
Jonathan B. Thompson (grandfather) was born in Hartford, Washington county, New York, September 13. 1798. He was reared in Herkimer county, where the family was among the pioneers in the early settlement of that region. He settled between Redwood and Theresa in 1828. afterward removing to Plessis, where he engaged in the cooperage and wagon making business, and organized the Farmers' Co-operative Mercantile Store. He spent the last thirty-seven years of his life on a farm of one hundred and fifty acres known as Thomp- son Brothers' Farm. He was an earnest advocate for the advancement of education and religion, and aided every worthy enterprise for the moral and material benefit of the town and its people. In politics he was a Republican and radical Abolitionist, taking an active interest along this line of work. He was prominent in the affairs of the Free Will Baptist church, and reared his family in this faith. He was also interested in the seminary at Whitestone. He was united in marriage at Carthage, New York, September 12. 1830. to Sally Brown, born in Fort Ann, a daughter of Elisha Brown, who conducted a hotel in Carth- age for a number of years, and who died at Fort Ann. Three children were born of this union, the only survivor being William H. Thomp- son. Jonathan B. Thompson died at the age of eighty-three years.
William H. Thompson ( father) was born in Plessis. Jefferson county, New York, December 21, 1831. He began his education in the common schools and pursued advanced branches in the Lafarge- ville Academy. After laying aside his school books he followed specu- lating, buying cattle and farm products up to the year 1868, when he located in Alexandria Bay and established his present business of hard- ware, plumbing and gas fitting and steamboat repairing, of which his house has been for many years the recognized leader. His business increased rapidly in volume and importance, and he now carries the largest and best stock of merchandise in his line, including all kinds of boat supplies with which to meet the increased demand. In addi- tion to this business he conducted a one hundred and fifty acre farm for
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a number of years, and also built several dwellings in Alexandria Bay. During his entire active career he has been known as one of the fore- most citizens in public affairs, taking an interest in educational and re- ligious institutions, and he has ever merited and received the respect of his associates and fellow townsmen. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He is active in political matters, served for fourteen years as deputy collector, and has been a frequent delegate to conventions. He is a member of Alex- andria Bay Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons. He attends the Re- formed church of which his wife is a member.
In 1852 William H. Thompson married Sarah Carter, daughter of the Rev. James Carter, and three children were born of this union : George D., deceased, who is survived by his wife Mary (Hall) Thomp- son, and a daughter, Carrie May Thompson; Arthur J., mentioned hereinafter; and Rosalie L., who became the wife of James P. Thomp- son. The Rev. James Carter, who died at the age of ninety years. came from Boston to Alexandria Bay, and in addition to his pastoral duties was engaged in shoemaking, farming and carrying. His wife, Abiah ( Macomber) Carter, who is deceased, hore him seven children, two of whom are living at the present time: Mrs. W. B. Walton of Alexandria Bay, and Mrs. William H. Thompson, also of Alexandria Bay.
Arthur J. Thompson, surviving son of William H. and Sarah (Carter) Thompson, received his education in the common schools and Adams Academy. He began his active career in his father's store, be- ginning in the lowest capacity, and in 1878, after thoroughly master- ing all the particulars and details of the business, was admitted to part- nership, and since then has rendered valuable aid in the conduct of affairs. He is a staunch supporter of the principles of Republicanism. is now a member of the board of village trustees, in which capacity he has served for the past twelve years, and has been chosen to serve as delegate to many conventions. He is a member of the fire depart- ment of Alexandria Bay, and has served as engineer for a number of years. He is a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Foresters, serving as sec- retary of the two latter named. He attends the services of the Re- formed church.
On October 9. 1883, Mr. Thompson married Flora E. Thomson, daughter of Andrew Thomson, and of the two children born of this
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marriage, one is now living, Sarah W., born in 1896. Andrew Thom- son, father of Mrs. Thompson, who spent the last years of his life at Alexandria Bay, was also the father of one son. Clarence S. Thomson.
ZINA ROSCOE CARTER, one of the creditable sons of Jeffer- son county, has achieved distinction in the business, social and political world, and is among the most highly esteemed citizens of Chicago. He is the eldest child of Bonajah and Isabel ( Cole) Carter, and was born October 23, 1846, in the Town of Orleans, in the neighborhood still known as " Carter Street."
He remained in his native place until seventeen years old. attend- ing the local district school and a select school taught by one of the leading educators of the day and region. With the sterling sense and ambition which have been the leading qualities of his career. he made the most of his opportunities, and looked out upon life with confidence, hope and determination at the early age of seventeen years, when he went to Chicago. In the following spring, he went on the lakes as a sailor, under his uncle, Captain William Sheeley. This continued three seasons, and in the meantime he enjoyed the advantages of one term of instruction at Wheaton College. From the time of leaving his native home he had been self-supporting, and now decided to engage in busi- ness on his own account.
In March. 1867, before he was of legal age. he rented a farm near Wheaton, on which he proceeded at once to labor as his own mas- ter, and since that date he has been a moving spirit in the conduct of important business enterprises. During five seasons he continued farm- ing. and his energy and prudent management insured success from the beginning. Having accumulated some capital, Mr. Carter came to Chi- cago in the autumn of 1871 and opened a grocery store, and also be- gan buying and selling grain for the market. After four years the grocery trade was abandoned. and from that time to the present his business has been the handling of grain. Since 1875 his brother. James B. Carter, has been a partner in the business, and in 1882 they built a large elevator adjoining the right of way of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy railroad. at West Sixteenth street, and are now hand- ling their own grain exclusively, buying and selling in the market.
Mr. Carter has always felt ar interest in the progress and wel- fare of the country, and has ever sturdily maintained his principles- those of the Republican party. From the time of his majority, he has
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been active in shaping the current of public events about him, and his official career began almost immediately after becoming a voter, in school and road matters at his country home. Upon his removal to Chicago, he soon made his influence felt in ward matters, and shortly over wider fields. He was content to strive for the best in politics, without any desire for official honors or station, and for many years kept out of public duties other than those which are the part of every patriotic citizen. In 1895 he was compelled by the demand of his fel- lows and his sense of duty to accept the nomination for alderman from the old tenth ward (now largely included in the twelfth), and was elected and took his seat in the council. His ability and integrity had be- come well known to the leaders of his party by this time, and he was urged to accept a nomination. in the fall succeeding his election to the coun- cil, for the position of trustee of the newly-created Sanitary District of Chicago, whose gigantic improvement known as the Drainage Canal is now one of the triumphs of modern engineering. Since that time Mr. Carter has served continuously on the board, and is now filling his sec- ond year as president of the body. To his experience, sound judgment and unimpeachable integrity is due something of the successful com- pletion of the original canal without any scandals, and the people of the district owe him much in the way of appreciation, a debt which is be- ing liquidated from day to day. An important extension of the ca- pacity of the canal is now under consideration, and is likely to be car- ried out as judiciously, expeditiously and successfully as the original work. Mr. Carter was a candidate of his party for mayor of Chicago a few years ago. Through a division in the local organization, none of which could be charged to the regular candidate, and also through the fact that the city is usually Democratic in political contests, he was defeated.
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