Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 120

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 120

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).

William Richey came to Watertown from Franklin County, about 1832. He was a wagon- maker and for two years worked for Roswell Bingham, at Watertown Center. He then bought out Mr. Bingham and engaged in business for himself. He married Eunice, danghter of Abraham Graves, and they had one daughter, Jane E., now the wite of J. G. McClenathan, of Ogden, Mich. Mr. Richey died January 29, 1888. His widow survives and resides at 22 Ives street. She was born on the old Graves farm July 20, 1813.

Warner Failing came to Watertown from Canajoharie in 1832. He kept an hotel (the Failing House) on the north side of the river until 1861. By his first wife, Elizabeth Dunkle, he had six children, and by his second wife, Elizabeth Stansel, nine children. He died Octo- ber 6, 1864, and his wife May 17, 1863.

George J. Grennell, son of Heman, was born in Adams, June 12, 1828. He married Flavilla Phillips, by whom he had two children, William R. and Charlotte A. He was a book- keeper, and died Feburary 6, 1884. His widow and children reside in Watertown.

Frank Denno, a native of France, emigrated to Canada when a young man, and about 1820 married Susan Gessmis. Abont 1835 he located in Watertown, where he died in 1862. His wife died in 1889. They had 14 children, 10 of whom are living. Frank Denno, Jr., was born in this city June 4, 1837. In 1858 he enlisted in the U. S. navy, under Commo- dore Holland, and was discharged in 1861. He enlisted in Co. K, 10th N. Y. H. A., served one year, and was discharged from the hospital at Arlington Heights. He was a clerk in the Woodruff House for 23 years. July 13, 1863, he married Louisa King, by whom he has four children, viz .: William, a clerk in the dry goods store of Bush, Bull & Roth, Emma, Fred, and Grace.

Charles Webber was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1799. His parents died before he was six years old, at which age he removed with his grandmother to Clinton, Oneida County, where he made his home with Judge MeNeal. When 12 years of age he was apprenticed to a woolen manufacturer for seven years. He married Polly Holcomb, of Litchfield, Herkimer County, who was born in 1799, and they had one daughter, Anna M., who resides in the city of Watertown, and is the widow of Dr. E. G. Howland. Charles Webber located in Watertown about 1835, and commenced work in a woolen-mill. About 1840 he engaged in business for himself, and was one of the Williams Company. He owned several farms and also a saw-mill. He died in 1871, and his wife in 1878.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Simeon Gale was one of the pioneer settlers of Brownville, to which town he removed from Vermont. He followed the honorable occupation of farming. He had six children, -two sons and fonr danghters, three of whom are living. His daughter, Lydia J., is the widow of W. H. Fowler, and resides in Watertown. W. H. Fowler was born in Brownville, December 1, 1819, and was a farmer. He enlisted in Co. H, 10th N. Y. HI. A., served one and one-half years, and was honorably discharged. He died October 10, 1886. Of his four children, Ed- ward W. and Ada M. are living.

Timothy Hungerford settled at Burrville, in the town of Watertown. Orville, son of Tim- othy, was born in Farmington, Conn. He married Betsey P. Stanley, and they had three sons and three daughters. He died April 6, 1851, and his wife September 17, 1861. He was a member of Congress two terms, president and cashier of the Jefferson County Bank, presi- dent of the R., W. & O. Railroad, and was a prosperons merchant here many years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and prominently identified with the business interests of the city.

Dr. John Binsse, of French parentage, was born in New York city. November 14, 1808. He was educated at the Bancel Lyceum, in New York, and gradnated from the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons in that city, with high honors. He practiced his profession in his na- tive city until 1837, and in 1838 located in Watertown, where he had charge of the Laforge es- tate. He died Jannary 7, 1879. In 1844 he married Anna M. Balligere, and they had fonr sons and two danghters. Dr. Binsse was a very highly educated man. His widow survives. and resides in this city.

Lewis B. Sterling, son of Micah, was born in Watertown, August 18, 1836. He enlisted in Co. A, 94th Regt. U. S. Vols., served two years, and was promoted to color sergeant. He mar- ried Isabella Lane, of this city, and they have a daughter, Mary B.

Solomon Knapp came to Watertown from Mohawk, abont 1842, and died here in 1887. Hc followed the dual occupation of farmer and blacksmith. E. W. Knapp, son of Solomon, was born in this city in 1847. He married Lois Almy and they have four children, Roy, Henry, Pitt, and Alice. Mr. Knapp is extensively engaged in the manufacture of sash and blinds, in company with Norris Winslow.

Stephen A. Tyler came to Watertown at an early day, and located on the corner of Factory and Mill streets. He was a contractor and builder, and died March 4. 1878. He marred Anna. Hosmer, who survives him, and they had three sons, Horace E. and Walter D .. of this city, and Wallace, of Huron, Dakota.

William Hannahs was born in Ireland in 1819. His parents were Protestants and they came to America when William was a child. He settled in Watertown about 1842. He mar- ried Elizabeth Avery and they had eight children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Han- nahs was a farmer, and died December 9, 1871. His widow and three daughters, Sarah, Anna M., and Snsie S., reside in Watertown, and a son, George, resides in Adams and is cashier of of the Adams National Bank.

Rev. Luther Rice was born in Weatherstield. Vt., November 2, 1820. In 1844 he graduated from Lebanon (N. H.) Academy, and the same year was stationed at Chester, Vt., and built the Universalist Church at North Chester. He married Mary Skinner, of Brownville, in 1845. He preached in Ellisburgh seven years, in Springfield, Vt .. four years, and in Quincy, Mass., four years. He then returned to Ellisburgh and Henderson, and preached six or seven years. In 1861 he purchased the farm where he has since resided, with the exception of three years spent in Fulton. He has also preached at Natural Bridge and Dexter several years, and in all has been engaged in his holy calling 45 years. He has seven sons and one daughter, and fonr of his sons are ministers.

G. H. Tallett was born in Taberg, O neida County, October 31, 1822. In 1852 he located in Clayton, where he was a photographer nntil the breaking out of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in Battery D, 1st N. Y. Lt. Art., as a private, was promoted to sergeant, in 1863 was made 2d lieutenant of Battery B. and at the close of the war was mustered ont as Ist lieutenant. He married Kate C., danghter of Rev. Gardner Baker, of Rodman, and they have two children, William and Helen B.

Rev. Gardner Baker was born in Minden. N. Y., September 11, 1802. He was a Methodist clergyman and preached for 50 years, and was presiding elder for 35 years. He married Esther Scott, of Lowville, and they had five children. He died at Thousand Island Park in 1877, and

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the Black River Conference has endowed a chair in Syracuse University known as the Gar- dener Baker professorship. His widow survives and resides with her daughter, Mrs. G. H. Tallett. She was born October 8, 1807, and June 10, 1877, with her husband, celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. Baker's was the first death to occur at that place after the organization of Thousand Island Park.

A. Palmer Smith was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1824. He married Mary A. Smith, also of Oneida County. and in 1848 settled in Watertown, on the farm where he now resides. He served as alderman of the Third Ward two years, and as assessor five years, and has been an extensive dealer in real estate. He is a farmer, and raises about 10,000 pounds of hops per year. He has two sons and two daughters. Timothy A. Smith, brother of A. P., settled on the farm he now occupies in 1846. He married Lucy A. Massey, of this city, and they have one son and two daughters. Mr. Smith owns two orange groves in Florida.

William Rouse, from Utica. located in Clayton in 1815. He was a member of the legisla- ture three years, and a justice of the peace about 20 years. He helped to organize the Jeffer- son County Agricultural Society, and at some time was its president. He was a deacon of the Freewill Baptist Church, and superintendent of its Sunday school for more than 40 years. He died in 1886, aged 93 years. Collins Rouse, brother of William, came on in 1818, and settled on an adjoining farm. He married Dolly Sexton, and they had nine children. He was a suc- cessful farmer, and was one of the first six men in Orleans who voted the Abolition ticket. He was a man of influence and ability in the community in which he lived, and was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. Four of his sons are now successful business men in California. His son George was brigade inspector under General Rosencrans, and was killed by a shell. Abner enlisted at the age of 17 years, was captured in the battle of the Wilderness, and starved to death in Libby prison. Daniel Rouse, brother of William and Collins, was sheriff of Jeffer- son County, general of state militia, and a justice of the peace for many years. The Ronse family was a much respected one in this county.

Frederick T. Story was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego County, November 30, 1824, and in 1844 he located in Watertown and established a wholesale and retail crockery store, and was quite extensively engaged in importing crockery. Here he continued until 1852, when he organized the Watertown Gas Light Co., in which business he has since continued. He mar- ried Harriet F. Smith, of Monroe, Mich., daughter of Major Henry Smith, of the U. S. army, by whom he has had a son, Harry, who died at the early age of 22 months.

Michael Dory was born in Screen, County Meath, Ireland, in 1798, and after attaining maturity worked with his father at blacksmithing until 1828, when he married Bridget, third daughter of Thomas Carbery, of Navan, Ireland. In June of the same year he emigrated to America and settled in Le Raysville, in this county, where he carried on blacksmithing and wagonmaking for many years. In 1846 he removed to Watertown and located on the south side of Public Square, where the Commercial block now stands. He died August 5, 1860, leav- ing two sons and two daughters, namely: James J., Thomas T., Mary A., and Julia C. Thomas succeeded to his father's business. The daughters are the only survivors of this family, and they reside at No. 33 Factory street. Eugene A. Dory, son of James, also resides on Factory street.

Hiram Becker came to Watertown from Rochester, N. Y., about 1849. Previous to that time he had sold nursery stock for Ellwanger & Barry, thus obtaining a thorough knowledge of the business. He established the Jefferson County nurseries, the only extensive ones ever in this county. He was superintendent of the laying out of Brookside cemetery, and put out most of the shrubbery and ornamental trees in this city. He also did an extensive business in that line outside of this county. He died in 1865. Six of his children reside in this city. Henry J. Becker, son of Hiram, was born in Rochester, February 22, 1843. He married Ella Lawrence, of Weedsport, N. Y., and they have two children, Charles A. and Leo H. He is a decorative artist in fresco and paper, and ornamental designer of ceilings. He learned his trade in New York city, and does an extensive business in Northern New York. Specimens of his work may be seen in many of the finest residences in Watertown.

Samuel North was born in Leeds, England, August 24, 1820, and has been a resident of Watertown since 1849, and during the greater part of that time has been foreman of the works of Bagley & Sewall. He owns five houses in this city, and is an industrious and enterprising man. He married Sarah Hope, who was born in Camden, Canada. They have no children.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

William Loan, of Scotch parentage, was born in the north of Ireland in 1839, and in 1849 he settled in Watertown. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 94th N. Y. Vols., and was in the service three years, four months, and 12 days. He was for seven months incarcerated in Libby, Belle Isle, and Salisbury prisons, and participated in 19 battles. He is a farrier by oceupation, is chairman of the relief committee of Joseph Spratt Post, G. A. R., and in 1888 was elected alderman of the Fourth Ward. He married Frances Gibbs and they have six children.

Frederick Lepper. from Herkimer County, located in Pamelia about 1805, on the farm now owned by Mrs. John P. Allen. He died June 11, 1843. He had nine children. Jacob C. Lepper, son of Frederick, was born August 19, 1814. He married Maria Styon and they had three children, all of whom are deceased. He learned the millers' trade when a young man, .and has always been engaged in that business. From 1850 to 1861 he was proprietor of the Eagle mills in company with Curtis Partridge. In company with Ira Curtis he bought and re- built the Moulton mills and gave them the name of Excelsior mills, disposing of his interest .one year later. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1840, and was a trustee of that clmurch several years. He was a trustee of the village of Watertown, and since its incorporation as a city has served one term as alderman. John F. Lepper, brother of Jacob, also resides in this city.

Addison M. Farwell has for over 30 years been identified with the manufacturing, banking, and commercial interests of Watertown. He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1819, and is a son of Lyman and Theodosia (Abbott) Farwell, both of New England. Mr. Farwell began his active business career as foreman of construction on the famous Croton water works of New York city. He was subsequently a contractor in the construction of the Great Western Rail- way of Canada, completing over 60 miles of the road bed. He was next a contractor in the construction of the water works of Brooklyn, N. Y., and subsequently upon other public enterprises. In 1859 Mr. Farwell came to Watertown, and in association with Frederick Baker established a tannery under the firm name of Farwell & Baker, and this firm continued for 20 years. Their tannery was on Newell street. The firm also was largely engaged in the sale of leather and findings on Public Square. Mr. Farwell conducted the business after the retirement of Mr. Baker until 1888, when he retired from active affairs. He was for 25 years president of the Jefferson County Savings Bank, and is still active in its management, serving on the board of directors. Mr. Farwell has also been a director of the Jefferson County National Bank since 1872, and is serving in the same capacity for the Ontario Paper Co. Mr. Farwell has taken an active interest in all affairs of charity, education, and public improvement, etc. He was united in marriage in 1842 with Miss Mary I. Wright. a native of Lewis County. Two of their children are living, namely: Ella F., wife of N. P. Wardwell, cashier of Watertown National Bank, and Maria F., wife of Edward B. Sterling, secretary and treasurer of the On- tario Paper Co.

Parsons T. Hines was born in Evans Mills, September 7, 1833. He married Alice Cary, of Watertown, and they had two children, Lewis W. and Hattie L., the former of whom died at the age of two years. Mr. Hines was an engineer on the R., W. & O. R. R. for about 14 years, and was superintendent of the city water works 13 years, which position he held at the time of his death, October 15, 1879. His widow and only surviving child, Hattie L., reside at 32 Massey street, in this city.

Alfred Coolidge was born in Nelson, Madison County, March 7, 1800. February 27, 1819, he removed to Philadelphia, and for two years worked upon a farm. In the fall of 1820 he bought his time of his father, for which he paid $100, and took up 50 acres of wilderness land, upon which he cut the first tree, and made a clearing the same year, and the next year built a log house, in which he lived alone for three years, during that time working out among the farmers clearing land. He bought a farm of Joseph Bonaparte, and drove to Bordentown, N. J .. with a pair of horses, which he sold to obtain money to pay for the farm. He owned at one time 500 acres of choice land. He served as assessor and overscer of the poor in Phila- delphia, and in 1853 located in Watertown, where he now resides, at 38 Clinton street. His sons, Thomas J. and Charles E., carry on the old farm. In 1825 he married Mary, daughter of John Townsend, a Quaker, and they had five sons and one daughter. His wife died March 11, 1889. His daughter, Asenith Carver Coolidge, resides with her father. She has written interesting articles for the newspapers, and in 1888, while in California, contributed to the Pacific Rural Press and other periodicals.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Peter Bergevin. son of Charles and Emmilie (Premeau) Bergevin, was born in St. Martin, Canada. December 9, 1842. At the age of eight years he came to Jefferson County, and when 12 years old commeneed work for his own support. Previous to 1871 he was a farmer and cheesemaker. In December, 1871, he opened a livery stable on Arcade street, which he eon- tinned two and one-half years. In 1879 he again opened a livery stable here, which he now continues. November 27. 1871, Mr. Bergevin married Sarah J. Becker, of Natural Bridge, and they have four children.

William Seaver. from Cavendish, Vt., located in Lowville, Lewis County, in 1829, and in 1835 settled in Sackets Harbor. He had a family of five children, three of whom are living: Richard F. and Alanson D., in Watertown, and Charles in New York City. W. H. Seaver, son of Richard F .. was born in Watertown, October 18, 1855. He married Mary J. Parker, and they have one daughter, Bessie May. Mr. Seaver is a machinist by trade. He was elected alderman of the First Ward in 1888.

Thomas M. Kenyon, son of Lodriek, was born in Galway, Saratoga County, December 29, 1842. His father died when Thomas was eight years old, and in 1855 he located in Watertown. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 35th N. Y. Vols., and served two years, and then reënlisted in the Ist N. Y. Vet. Cav., and served to the close of the war. He was the first superintendent of the Henry Keep Home, where he has been since that institution was opened. He married Matilda Cooney, of Oswego County.

John W. Lee was born in Kingston, Canada, April 28, 1837. October 5, 1857, he located in this eity and was employed at his trade of blacksmith by E. G. Terry. He has been in bus- iness for himself for the past 15 years, and for 12 years has been located at 34 Mill street. He married Eliza J. Fisher and they have no children.

Henry C. Baldwin settled in Antwerp about 1808, on a farm one-half mile sonth of Ant- werp village, where he followed the dual occupation of carpenter and farmer. He had six children, four of whom are living. David W. Baldwin, son of Henry C., was born September 2, 1816, and when 13 years of age entered a store in Antwerp, where he clerked three years, and the next three years were spent in the land office of George Parish, in that village. He then removed to Rossie, St. Lawrence County, where he resided 27 years. Abont 1858 he came to Watertown, where he was employed in a machine shop until the elose of the war. He was. then for several years seeretary and treasurer of the Portable Steam Engine Co., of which company he has been a director since its organization. At one time Mr. Baldwin owned five cheese factories, and now owns two in Antwerp. He served two years as supervisor, and is now assistant superintendent of public instruction. He married Laura Merriman and they have two children living, Henry L., of Chicago, and Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles R. Skinner), of Albany.

Samuel J. Clark was born in Prince Edward, Canada, April 4, 1840, and in 1858 he settled in Watertown. He was a fireman for two years on the R., W. & O. R. R., and was engineer and conductor for 18 years. He was street commissioner in 1885 and '86, and was superin- tendent of Thousand Island Park in 1888. He married Margaret Fisher and has fonr sons and one daughter.

Abner W. Baker, son of Artemas, was born in Theresa. He married Mary A. Cronkhite and they had one son, George I. Mr. Baker was elected sheriff of Jefferson County in 1858, and held that office three years. He then was employed as general baggagemaster for the R .. W. & O. R. R. until 1882, when he removed to Gary, Dakota, bought a large farm, and en- gaged in stock growing. He died May 11, 1888. His widow and only son, George I., reside in Watertown.

Sylvester Smith was one of the first settlers in Rutland. He had a family of eight children. Samuel, son of Sylvester, was born in Rutland, and when six months old his parents removed to Henderson. He married Phebe Spalding, and in 1859 settled in Watertown, where he died in September, 1865. His wife died in November, 1883. They had six sons and three daugh- ters. G. Harrison Smith, son of Samuel, was born May 23, 1837, and has been a resident of Watertown sinee 1861. He married, first, Ellen M. Bannister and they had a danghter, Blanche E., and second, Malissa Wager. Mr. Smith was elected sheriff of Jefferson County, and held the office three years. He was a cattle dealer for 20 years, and also a farmer and milk dealer.

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CTIY OF WATERTOWN.

Stephen Kloek, from Montgomery County, located in the town of Lyme in 1835, and there resided until 1859, when he located on Washington street, in this city. He married Anna Bell- inger, and they had six children. He died May 30, 1878. His widow and two sons, Morgan and Milton R .. reside in Watertown. Morgan Klock was born in Montgomery County, April 13, 1834. He married Catharine J .. daughter of Robert C. Baird, and they have three chil- dren. He is a farmer and milk dealer, and has resided in Watertown since 1867.

H. M. Lewis, son of Abel P., was born in Champion in 1842. He was for 20 years leader of the Watertown brass band. He married Maggie Norton, and they have three children, Edith, Harry, and Claude. He has a family orchestra, consisting of himself and three chil- dren. and they play each year at Thousand Island Park.

Elijalı and Sterling Graves removed from East Haddam, Conn., and took up a farm in the then wilderness of Antwerp, in 1820, where they built a log house. Sterling married Ruby Otis, of Rutland, and they had four children, three of whom are living. In1861 he came to Wa- tertown, where he died September 16, 1881. His wife died May 3. 1859. Otis S. Graves, son of Sterling, was born in Antwerp. He married, first, Hattie Manley, by whom he had two children, and second, Martha P. Dewey, by whom he has one child. Mr. Graves was in Mid- dletown (Conn.) University two years, studying for the ministry, but on account of poor healthi was obliged to abandon his studies. Ile was for three years a teacher in Gouverneur Seminary, and is now a farmer.

John D. Greenleaf, son of Dr. Christopher Greenleaf, was born in Vermont in 1803, and when quite young removed with his father to Smithville, N. Y., and a few years later settled in La Fargeville. When 20 years of age Mr. Greenleaf removed to Clayton (then French Creek), and for a short time was a clerk in the store of W. H. Angel. He then engaged with Merick & Smith, as elerk, and had charge of their lumber business in Quebec, being employed by them for nearly 20 years. He then returned to La Fargeville, and there remained until 1857, when he located in Seneca. Ontario County, where he still resides. He married Julia Truesdell, of Quebec, and they had seven children, only one of whom, Louis C., resides in this county. Louis C. Greenleaf was born in La Fargeville, November 23, 1840, whence he removed to Ontario County, and in 1860 located in Watertown, where he was engaged in the county clerk's office for one year. He enlisted in Co. A, 35th N. Y. Vols., and was with the first com- pany that left Watertown for the battlefields in the sunny South. He served two years, and then entered the provost-marshal's office in this city, where he remained until the close of the war. He married Lorra Cornelia Shaffer, and they have two children. Josephine A. and Lydia C. After the discontinuance of the office of provost-marshal Mr. Greenleaf was dis- count clerk in the Jefferson County Bank for two years, when he entered the Merchants' Bank as teller and assistant cashier, which position he ably filled for four years. In March, 1872, in company with C.W. Sioat, under the firm name of Sloat & Greenleaf, he engaged in the lumber business, and the firm is now one of the most extensive in this eity. Mr. Greenleaf has always been prominently identified with the interests of Watertown. He was the first city treasurer, which office he held two years, was county treasurer two terms, supervisor of the Second Ward several years, and is now a member of the board of education. He was captain of the state militia, and was mustered out as major.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 120

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