Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 113

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890 > Part 113

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Camp was born in Utica, N. Y., and soon after his father, George Camp, removed with his family to Sackets Harbor, a place of activity and prosperity, where, in 1817, he printed the first newspaper of that village, called the Sackets Harbor Gazette. Sackets Harbor, however, failed to fulfill the prophecy of its friends in regard to its growth and prosperity, and this led many young men of that place to seek homes and occupation elsewhere. Mr. Camp was offered important positions elsewhere, but selected Water- town as a place of advancing growth and influence, and located there in the spring of 1840. He opened a drug and paint store in Loveland Paddock's block, on Washington Place, and this prosperous business established by him has continued in the same locality for 50 consecutive years, for the last 25 years being conducted by George B. Massey and Mr. Camp's son, Walter Hale.

Mr. Camp has been identified with numerous enterprises and corporations which have been inflential in advancing the material, educational, and moral growth of his chosen residence. At an early day he advocated and assisted in the arduous attempt to build the railroad from Rome to Cape Vincent, and in 1863 was chosen one of the directors of the road, which office he held about 25 years, during seven of which he was its vice-president. The office of the treasurer of the corporation was located in Watertown, and its finan- cial transactions were largely under the care and direction of Mr. Camp, and were so well supervised by him as to meet the hearty approval of the direc- tors and stockholders. He has been connected with several manufacturing enterprises, but more intimately associated with the Watertown Steam Engine Company, continuing as one of its trustees for many years, and has aided in its growth until it has now become a large and flourishing concern, with one of the most extensive plants in the United States.

The Jefferson County Institute, an academy founded in 1837 by the Pres- byterians and Congregationalists of the county, and for many years affording advanced educational advantages to the youth of both sexes, found in Mr. Camp a friend and supporter. For 40 years he has been one of its trustees,

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

and is now its president ; but the building, library, apparatus, etc., are leased to the city, and used by the High School, in the system of graded schools under the direction of the board of education. Mr. Camp is one of the trus- tees and officers of the Jefferson County Savings Bank, an institution emi- nently useful in encouraging persons of moderate income to deposit a portion of their earnings to accumulate and become a sure source of supply for future wants. This bank has paid no salaries to its trustees, their only compensa- tion being the satisfaction they enjoy from the knowledge that the institution has become strong, popular, and helpful.

Mr. Camp has not been desirous of political preferment. As a patriotic citizen he has always sustained the laws and institutions of his native land ; but in no sense has he been a narrow-minded partisan. Although emi- nently qualified, by business and executive ability and unimpeachable integ- rity, to fill positions of trust and responsibility in the gift of the people, he has left the race for office to be run by others. From the time of his coming to Watertown he has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a Christian institution recognized for its beneficient influence and generous charities, to which Mr. Camp has been a liberal contributor. On June 3, 1847, Mr. Camp was married to Ann Elizabeth Sewall, daughter of Henry D. Sewall, a man noted for his public spirit and mental ability. Her mortal life ended June 3, 1888, just 41 years from the day of her marriage, and her memory is cherished by three worthy sons, namely : Fred Sewall, who resides in Norwich, Conn., and is interested in a large cotton-mill there ; Walter Hale, who resides in Watertown, and is of the firm of Camp & Massey ; and George Van Santvoord, who also resides in Watertown, and is connected with the Jefferson County National Bank.

Mr. Camp is still not only active and engaged in many business pursuits, but is also prominent in social and literary circles. He is a charitable and kind-hearted Christian gentleman, and is ever ready to offer counsel and sub- stantial aid to the numerous deserving ones who seek his advice. His physi- cal and mental activity warrant the belief and hope that he has many more years of usefulness yet before him.

Smith T. Woolworth, cashier of the Jefferson County National Bank, is a native of Lewis County, and was born in 1849. His parents, Gilbert E. and Elizabeth (Smith) Woolworth, were representatives of old families of this sec- tion of the state. Mr. Woolworth began his banking experience as clerk in the Exchange Bank of Carthage, and in 1865 came to Watertown, where he has since resided. He was connected with several firms, as book-keeper and teller, and in 1870 entered the Jefferson County Bank, and since 187 1 has served as cashier and teller. Mr. Woolworth is treasurer of the Central Park Association on the St. Lawrence, and a director of the Electric Light Company of Watertown.

The National Bank and Loan Company was organized as the Watertown Bank and Loan Company, in September, 1849, with a capital stock of $75,-

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

ooo, and in 1865 it was reorganized and converted into a national bank. The present capital is $75,000, with a surplus fund of $25,000. The officers of this institution have been as follows : Presidents, George C Sherman and George H. Sherman ; vice presidents, G. H. Sherman, R. L. Sherman, and C. A. Sherman ; cashiers, P. V. Rogers, Charles Strong, C. A. Sherman, N. P. Wardwell, and C. L. Parmalee.

George H. Sherman is a native of Watertown, and son of George C. and Mary A. (Hubbard) Sherman. George C. Sherman came from Rhode Island to Jefferson County and was admitted to the bar. (A sketch of his life ap- pears in the chapter devoted to the Bench and Bar.) George H. is also an attorney. He studied law with his father, and was admitted to practice in 1855. He was for several years in practice with John Lansing, but since 1863 has devoted his attention to his banking interests. He is a trustee of the Davis Sewing Machine Co., the Orphans Home, and the City Hospital.

The. Jefferson County Savings Bank was chartered in 1859, its first presi- dent being James I. Steele. During its long business career it has main- tained an untarnished record, and has served all its depositors faithfully and honestly. The building is substantially built of stone, is two floors in height, and occupies an area of about 30x70 feet in dimensions. The assets of the bank amount to $1, 504,864.86, of which $152,064.15 is surplus, the amount due to depositors being $1,352,800.17. This sum is chiefly invested in real estate, mortgages, government, state, and city bonds, and in the se- lection of which absolute security has been the first consideration. The pres- ent officers are Frederick Emerson, president ; Talcott H. Camp, first vice- president ; S. B. Upham, second vice president ; G. H. Sherman, secretary ; and George Smith, treasurer. The first four gentlemen named, in conjunction with Messrs. George B. Phelps, A. M. Farwell, E. Q. Sewall, D. W. Bald- win, Alden F. Barker, J. A. Sawyer, Ross C. Scott, H. M. Stevens, George W. Wiggins, and N. P. Wardwell, form the board of trustees. They are all gentlemen of prominence in the commercial and professional circles of the city, and the scrupulous care with which they have guarded the funds placed at their disposal, and the success which has attended their management, in- dicate not only their ability, but that they duly appreciate the responsibilities of the trust which has been reposed in them, and that they enjoy the reward of knowing that the Jefferson County Savings Bank is regarded as one of the most reliable savings institutions in the state.

The National Union Bank was organized as the Union Bank, June 10, 1852, with a capital stock of $100,000, and the following board of directors: Henry Keep, W. K. Hawks, C. F. Symonds, Abner Baker, Washington Gen- net, Merrill Coburn, Luther G. Hoyt, John Bradley, John Sigourney, Alex- ander Copley, W. H. Moffett, Anson Ranney, and W. N. Woodruff. In 1865 the bank was reorganized and became a national institute, and since 1854 has conducted its business at No. 14 Washington street. The capital stock (1889) was $147,440, with a surplus fund of $36,860, and undi-

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

vided profits to the amount of $22,300. The directors for 1890 are W. W. Taggart, A. H. Sawyer, Ross C. Scott, S. B. Upham, I. P. Powers, A. C. Middleton, W. W. Conde, A. D. Remington, Henry Spicer, O. P. Hadcock, O. B. Cadwell, H. F. Inglehart, and Albert Fish. The presidents have been : Henry Keep, 1852; W. K. Hawks, 1854; Abner Baker, 1856 ; Mer- rill Coburn, 1865; Alanson Skinner, 1874; Gilderoy Lord, 1877 ; A. H. Sawyer, 1889; W. W. Taggart, 1890. The vice-presidents have been : W. K. Hawks, 1852 ; Abner Baker, 1854; John White, 1856 ; James K. Bates, 1865 ; G. Lord, 1874; John A. Sherman, 1877; W. W. Taggart, 1882 ; A. H. Sawyer, 1890. The cashiers have been : George S. Goodale, 1852 ; Samuel B. Upham, 1856 ; and Addison L. Upham, 1890, assistant cashier.

Samuel B. Upham, who has been identified with the National Union Bank over 30 years, is a native of Massachusetts, where he was born in 1819. At the age of 10 years he became a resident of Jefferson County, and at the age of 18 he left the farm and began his business life as a clerk in a store at Rodman, where he remained until 1841, when he came to Watertown. He commenced as an assistant with O. C. Utley, and after two years of service was admitted as a partner. Mr. Utley sold out his interest, in 1848, to J. A. Sawyer, and this firm continued until 1854. In 1856 Mr. Upham became cashier of the bank, where he devoted his entire attention until 1890. He is a director and vice-president of the Jefferson County Savings Bank, and is a director of the Watertown Steam Engine Co , the Thermometer Co., the Orphans Home, Brookside Cemetery, and of the Carthage, Watertown & Sackets Harbor Railroad Company.

The Watertown National Bank was organized in 1882, and has a capital stock of $100,000, with a surplus and undivided profits (March, 1889) of $70,000. George W. Knowlton is president ; Sidney Cooper, vice-president; and N. P. Wardwell, cashier. The directors are G. W. Knowlton, S. Cooper, J. Mullin, G. B. Phelps, A. Bushnell, E. D. Babcock, H. Fuller, S. F. Bagg, G. W. Wiggins, A. D. Remington, and B. B. Taggart.

The City National Bank of Watertown, with a capital stock of $100,000, was organized March 17, 1890, and the following board of directors was elected by the stockholders: Gilderoy Lord, John E. Kemp, R. E. Hunger- ford, John Prouty, Robert Lansing, Beman Brockway. R. E. Smiley, P. V. Poor, Samuel W. Reynolds. The directors, at a subsequent meeting, elected the following officers: President, Gilderoy Lord; vice-president, John E. Kemp; cashier, R. H. Huntington. It is expected that the new bank will open for business about the first of May, in the place now occupied by M. N. Van Epps as a shoe store.

Other banks, which were prominent and useful in their day, have existed in Watertown. Some of them were discontinued after successful careers, and failure or removal to other places was the fate of others. Among these in- stitutions we will mention the following: Black River Bank, opened May 25, 1844, capital $100,000, Loveland Paddock, president; Oscar V. Pad-

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

dock, vice-president ; Edwin L. Paddock, cashier. The First National Bank was one of the first in the state to organize under the national banking law. Its founders were Loveland Paddock and his sons Oscar and Edwin L., the senior Paddock being its first president. The Second National Bank of Watertown was in operation previous to 1866, Edwin L. Paddock, president ; George F. Paddock, cashier. The Merchants' Bank was opened in 1865 by Hon. Norris Winslow, as an individual bank, and five years later was organized as a banking institution under the state laws, with the same title, with Norris Winslow, president: Willard Ives, vice-president; and John F. Moffett, cashier. In 1866 C. G. Harger & Son conducted a bank at No. 5 Court street. O. Pad- dock & Co's Bank, at No. 4 Paddock building, was in operation at the same time. Wooster Sherman's Bank, opened January 8, 1842, discontinued. Henry Keep's Bank, opened September 28, 1847, discontinued. Mechanics' Bank, by Henry Keep, begun September 17, 1851, had no office for dis- count and deposit, also discontinued. Citizens' Bank, established by Mr. Keep, August 1, 1850, afterwards removed to Ogdensburg, and in August, 1852, to Fulton, Oswego County. Frontier Bank, established in Watertown by Mr. Keep, removed to Potsdam in the spring of 1851.

The Watertown Savings, Loan, and Building Association was organized December 19, 1887, and incorporated January 7, 1888. The first president was S. F. Bagg ; vice-president, D. C. Middleton ; secretary, George Adams ; treasurer, George F. Clark ; trustees, E. Q. Sewall, L. A. Johnson, R. H. Hall, George H. Babcock, and Fred Waddingham ; J. Atwell, Jr., attorney. George Adams resigned after a short service ; was succeeded by W. W. Richey, who was succeeded by Fred H. Waddingham in April, 1889. The present officers are : D. C. Middleton, president ; Fred Waddingham, vice-president ; F. H. Waddingham, secretary ; George F. Clark, treasurer ; R. H. Hall, I .. A. Johnson, George H. Babcock, S. F. Bagg, James B. Wise, trustees ; J. Atwell, Jr., attorney. The first year this company paid 14 per cent. over all expenses, and the dividend for the first quarter of 1889 was 4 per cent. Since December 31, 1888, the association has received an increase of more than 100 members. In April there were about 500 members, owning about '2,700 shares of a par value of $250 each.

INSURANCE.

Agricultural Insurance Company of Watertown .- What is now one of the most substantial and successful of the insurance companies of America com- pleted its organization March 12, 1853 Its first officers were : Alden Adams, president ; Isaac Munson, vice-president ; L. Paddock, treasurer ; Thomas Ward, secretary ; and Earl B. Fowler, general agent. The name of the company was the Agricultural Mutual Insurance Company, and the follow- ing named gentlemen comprised the members of the organization : Alden Adams, T. A. Smith, H. Blodgett, J. C. Cooper, G. S. Sackett, E. F. Carter,

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Isaac Munson, Joseph Fayel, L. Paddock, Wolcott Steele, William P. Bab- cock, A. Davenport, Ira Beaman, Hiram Dewey, and L. Miller. The or- ganization was effected at Evans Mills, and the company continued its main office there until 1855, when it was removed to Watertown and established upon the site now occupied by Washington hall. In 1863 the company was reorganized and made a joint stock association, and has since made a won- derful reputation as the Agricultural Insurance Company of Watertown, N. Y. The capital stock was made $50,000. In July, 1866, the capital stock was increased to $100,000 ; in July, 1872, to $200,000 ; in October, 1880, to $300,000 ; in December, 1883, to $500,000, and it so stands at this time.

STATEMENT, JANUARY 1, 1890.

U. S. and municipal bonds and other stocks 342,614 00

Loans on bonds and mortgages (first lien) 1.288.148 96

Real estate owned by the company 171,718 80

Loans on collaterals 64,258 97

Cash in company's office and banks and premiums in due course of collection

292,804 52

Total assets

$2,159,545 25

LIABILITIES.

Losses adjusted, but not due

19,482 10

Losses unadjusted

46,783 00

Unpaid dividends

66,305 10

Net assets for protection of policy holders

$2,093,240 15

Capital stock

$ 500,000 00

Re-ins. reserve (full N. Y. standard) 1.231,961 78

$1,731,961 78

Net surplus (over capital, reserve, and all liabilities)

§ 361,278 37

This company has paid for losses since its organization, $6,343,677.24.

The present officers of the company are J. R. Stebbins, president ; E. F. Carter, vice-president ; A. E. Dewey, general agent ; H. M. Stevens, secretary; S. Cooper, treasurer ; W. H. Stevens, assistant secretary ; H. A. House, cashier. The following constitute the present board of directors : O. R. Earl, R. S. Whitman, Titus Sheard, S. Cooper, J. O. Wheeler, WV. Ives, A. E. Dewey, J. R. Stebbins, C. Patterson, E. F. Carter, G. B. Phelps, H. A. House, F. H. Munson, A. H. Sawyer. In July, 1887, the company erected a three-story brick building adjoining Washington hall, and removed their offices to more commodious quarters. The business of the company increased so rapidly that, in 1873, they erected what is known as the Marble block, on . Washington street, where the general offices have elegant and commodious quarters. It is one of the finest blocks in the city. The company also has a printing office where numerous compositors are kept busy supplying the company with stationery, etc. The presidents of the company have been Alden Adams, until 1862 ; John C. Cooper, until 1882 ; Isaac Munson, until 1886; and J. R. Stebbins, now serving. The vice-presidents have been

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Isaac Munson, John Winslow, John A. Sherman, and Evelyn F. Carter, the present incumbent. The secretaries have been Thomas Ward, U. A. Wright, Isaac Munson, and Dr. H. M. Stevens, who still fills that position. The treasurers have been L. Paddock, Isaac Munson, H. M. Stevens, and Sidney Cooper, the latter serving in that capacity. The general agents have been E. B. Fowler, Hiram Dewey, and A. E. Dewey, who is still in office. W. H. Stevens is now serving as assistant secretary, and H. A. House as cashier. The general counsel of the company is Hon. A. H. Sawyer, whose biography may be found on another page of this history. The following brief biograph- ical sketches of the present officers and employees are appended :-

Jean R. Stebbins, president, was born in Oneida County, August 24, 1836, but removed, in infancy, to Herkimer County, where he resided till his removal to Watertown, in January, 1890. He was the oldest son of William B. Stebbins, M. D. He graduated from Fairfield Academy, spent several years in teaching, read law in the office of Judge Hardin at Little Falls, and was admitted to practice at the bar in 1860. In January, 1861, he purchased the Herkimer County Journal at Little Falls, and a few years later the Mohawk Courier, consol- idating the two papers under the name of the Journal and Courier. He retained his inter- est in that journal until October, 1888, when he sold the same to his partners, Messrs. G. G. Stebbins and I. T. Burney. In 1869 President Grant appointed Mr. Stebbins collector of in- ternal revenue for the district comprising Jefferson, Lewis, and Herkimer connties, Subse- quently the counties of St. Lawrence and Franklin were added to the district, the term of Mr. Stebbins continning abont seven years. He was elected president of the company in March, 1886, but has not participated in its active management until the present year. Mr. Stebbins was married in July, 1864, to Adelaide C. Cooper, youngest daughter of the late John C. Cooper, who, for 20 years (from 1862 to 1882), was president of the Agricultural Insurance Company.

Henry M. Stevens, M. D., secretary, Is a native of Oswego County. He commenced the study of medicine in Pulaski, and graduated, in 1852, from the Fourteenth Street School of Medicine of New York University. Locating in La Fargeville, Dr. Stevens entered upon his professional duties, and pursued them for 18 years. He was then appointed assist- ant secretary of the Agricultural Insurance Company, and removed to Watertown, where he has since resided and served as an officer in the company. Dr. Stevens was at one time treas- nrer of the company, and is now secretary. His management is able and efficient.

Sidney Cooper, treasurer, is a native of Le Ray, and was born in 1835. His parents were William and Elvira (Dighton) Cooper, both natives of this county. The grandfather of our subject, William Cooper, settled near Watertown in 1800. He served in the War of 1812, and at the time of his death was a farmer in Le Ray. His father, also a farmer, was a resident of that town until his death in 1871. Sidney Cooper was reared and edneated in this county, and became a teacher. His business career began as a clerk in a store at Evans Mills, where he was subsequently admitted as a partner. In 1871 he was appointed collector of the post at Cape Vincent, by General Grant, and served in that capacity eight years. In 1879 he removed to Watertown, and soon after became a director in the company of which he is now treasurer. He has served in the latter capacity since 1884.

Evelyn F. Carter, vice-president, was born in Connectient in 1811, and early in life was engaged in manufacturing in his native state. He came to Jefferson County in 1840, and engaged in farming in Le Ray, residing in that town about 13 years. Since that period he has resided in Watertown. Mr. Carter was one of the incorporators of the Insurance Company, and has been closely identified with its management. He has also been a leading spirit of the Jeffer- son County Agricultural Society, of which body he has served as president. He is still the owner of a farm in Le Ray.

Addice E. Dewey, general agent, is a native of Jefferson County, where he was born in 1833. His parents, Hiram and Sylvia ( Marble ) Dewey, were natives of New England. Hiram Dewey came to Jefferson County when a boy, with his parents, about 1820, settling in Adams. where his father took up land and followed farming until his death. Ile married there, abont.

49*

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

1832, and subsequently engaged in the lumber business. About 1838 he purchased a farm in Orleans, and resided upon it for many years, during which time he served as justice of the peace. He continued farming and general speculating until about 1865, when he removed to Watertown and resided until his death, which occured in 1883. He was one of the incorpora- tors of the Agricultural Insurance Company, and served as an executive officer up to his death. He was appointed general agent of the company about 1863, and served 20 years in that capac- ity. Addice E. began his business life at Omar, conducting a saw and flouring-mill. He be- came a resident of Watertown in 1871, since which time he has been indentified with the In- surance Company. He served as adjuster and general business manager until he succeeded to the position made vacant by the death of his father. Mr. Dewey is president of the Eureka Chemical Company and largely interested in farming lands. He also is interested in the mil- ling business of Omar.

William H. Stevens, assistant secretary, was born in May, 1859; graduated from the Syra- cuse University in 1880; read law in the office of Starbuck & Sawyer for more than a year; and entered the service of the company in 1881. He was appointed assistant secretary in January, 1887.

Henry A. House was born in Lewis County, N. Y., January 30, 1832. In 1862 he located in Cape Vincent, and was clerk for the R., W. & O. Railroad two years. In 1864 he engaged as clerk in L. S. Hammond's bank, which position he retained until February, 1874, when he came to Watertown and entered the office of the Agricultural Insurance Company, as cashier, which position he now holds. While in Cape Vincent he served as supervisor of that town for two years. He married, first, Mary E. Goff, who bore him four children, and died in March, 1866. He married, second, Miss M. D. Starkweather, of Cape Vincent. Of his children, Frank E. is roadmaster of the C., M. & St. P. Railroad, and resides at Chillicothe, Mo .; Ar- thur L. is clerk in the Pacific Bank, San Francisco; Clifford H. is book-keeper in the Evening Post office, San Francisco; and Clarence A. died June 18. 1888.

L. F. Phillips, son of John, was born in the town of Lyme, July 22, 1839. He came to Watertown in 1864, and for three years was employed as clerk and book-keeper for Will- iam G. Gardner. In 1867 he opened a general dry goods store, which he continued until 1874, when he accepted a position as book-keeper with the Agricultural Insurance Company, and now has charge of the general accounts of that company. He enlisted in the National Guards as first lieutenant, and one year later was promoted to adjutant of the 35th Battalion, in which position he also served one year, when he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel and inspector of rifle practice of the 4th Division, National Guards, which position he still holds as supernu- merary. In 1873-74 he was supervisor, and was coroner of the county two terms (six years). He married Hattie O. Richardson, of this city, and they have one son, Lewis Lynn.

Col. Charles H. Van Brakle was born in Troy, N. Y., and in 1858 located in Watertown. He enlisted in the 14th N. Y. H. A., was first lieutenant of Co. B, was promoted to adjutant. and served until December 28, 1864. In January, 1866, he accepted a position as book-keeper with the Agricultural Insurance Company, which position he now occupies. He has been a notary public since 1867. He has been a member of the National Guard since Feburary 7, 1860, and was gradually promoted from first lieutenant to colonel. In 1878 he retired from active service as colonel and assistant adjutant-general of the 4th Division. He was city clerk for two years and a member of the board of directors of the fire department several years. He married Georgiana Neilson, of Flushing, L. I.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 113

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders Number of Pages: 1384

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384