USA > New York > Jefferson County > Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890 > Part 127
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196
John Pool came from Johnstown, Fulton County, N. Y., to Jefferson County, about 1818, and settled at Great Bend, in the town of Champion, where he resided until 1822, when he removed to Natural Bridge, in Wilna, where he located upon the farm, on road 39, now oc- cupied by his son David. He was a farmer, and died December 23, 1861. Of his seven chil- dren, three sons and one daughter are living, viz .: John, in Darlington, Wis .; Abram. in White Rock, Kansas; Jemima (Mrs. Stephen Cowen), in Luverne, Minnesota: and David on the old homestead in this town. David married Almira. daughter of P. R. Nichols, and they have three daughters and one son, viz .: Jay. Esther (Mrs, Frank Dimock), Alice (Mrs. A. J. Spencer), and Abbie (Mrs. Alvin Hart).
Jolin Smith came from New Jersey, and located in the town of Wilna about 1823, on a farm, on road 62, where his son Alonzo now resides, and the old stone house he built is still standing. He was a farmer, and died in the old house, aged 84 years. IIe married Susanna Ryneer, and they had eight children, viz .: Larrisa, Eveline, Julia, Madeline, Susanna, John, Jr., Alonzo, and Joseph. Madeline and John, Jr., are deceased.
Benjamin Derby came from Huntington, Vt., to Wilna in 1826, and settled on the farm now occupied by his son Harley, where he took up 100 acres of land. He served in the War of 1812, and his father, also named Benjamin, served seven years in the Revolutionary war. Of his 10 children, only four are living, viz .: Dr. E. G., Maria (Mrs. E. Smith), Cyrena (Mrs. C. Furman), and Harley, who resides on the old homestead. The latter married Lydia, dangh- ter of William Heaton, and they have had nine children, three of whom are living, viz .: Reu- ben A., who resides with his parents; James M., of Morrison, Ill .; and William H., of Rico, Colorado. George W. Derby, son of Harley, enlisted in Co. L, 9th N. Y. Cav., and died in hospital, at Washington, D. C .. June 9, 1862. Fernando H., another son, enlisted in Co. L, 9th N. Y. Cav., in August, 1862, and died at Fairfax Court House, Va., November 14, 1862. Luther B. died at home January 25, 1884.
Calvin Cowan, son of Isaac, was born in Lanesborough, Mass., and when young located in Lewis County, N. Y., where he married Abi Weed, of Lowville. About 1819 he settled in De- pauville, and nine years later located near the center of the town of Wilna, where he remained but a few years. After the death of his wife he resided with his son Herman until his de- cease. He had eight children, viz .: Calvin, Herman, Esther, Eliza, Clarinda, Augusta, Edwin, and William. Herman Cowan was born in Depauville, April 1, 1819. In 1846 he married Al- mira M. Frasier, of Wilna, and settled on the farm now owned by Warren Crowner, and a few years later removed to the farm he now occupies. His wife died in 1888. They had eight children, three of whom survive, namely: Edgar F., Emma (Mrs. John Hastings), and Char- ley E., all residents of this town. Mr. Cowan married, second, Mrs. Margaretta H. Townsend.
858
TOWN OF WILNA.
Cranson Gates came from the East and located in the town of Wilna about 1830. settling on a farm on road 68, where he remained a few years, when he removed to the farm now owned by W. J. Scott, and here resided until his death. He owned the saw-mill known as the Gates mill. He reared a family of seven children, viz .: Vinton, Frederick H., Linus M., Julius K., Lucia M., Susan C., and Cranson O. Julins K. was born January 11, 1836. He was the first to enlist from the town of Wilna, in April, 1861, and served in Co. B, 35th N. Y. Vols.
Truman Crowner, son of Peter, was born in Washington County, N. Y. He married Polly Clintsman and located in the town of Denmark, Lewis County, where he reared a family of 10 sons and three daughters, all of whom attained mature years, viz .: Alson, Alpheus, Joel, Peter, Johnson, Nathaniel, States, Louisa, Warren, Elizabeth, John, Lucinda, and Silas. About 1830 he removed to Wilna and located near the center of the town, where he remained until his death. States Crowner married Lorinda M., daughter of Orlo Stanard, in 1852, and located on the farm he now occupies.
Jonathan Wood came from Oneida County and, in 1833, located in the northern part of Wilna, at what is called Wood's Mills, where he built a grist and saw-mill, which he conducted several years. He was supervisor of the town one term, was also assessor and justice of the peace, and died here in 1879. His son Franklin, who now resides at Wood's Mills, was born in 1832, and in 1853 married Angelica D., daughter of Peter and Anna Hanson, by whom he has bad five children, four of whom are living, viz .: Harlan G., Charles J., B. F., and Anna E. Mr. Wood is now one of the oldest residents in this town.
Hiram McCollom, of whom frequent mention has been made in connection with the in- dustries of Carthage village, came to Carthage, as near as can be ascertained, about 1831 or '32. Previons to this he kept a small store in the village of Denmark. Concluding that Car- thage offered a wider field for the exercise of that indomitable energy of which he was pos -. sessed, he came here and made the beginning of his long and remarkable business career. His prominent characteristics were energy, industry, and perseverance. To enter upon a descrip- tion of the numerous enterprises conceived and put into operation by him would be to give the history of his life, and a great part of the history of the village where he resided. In con- nection with his principal business, that of a merchant, Mr. McCollom carried on the tin business and manufacture of boots and shoes, employing a large number of men. According to an article in the Carthagenian his fine brick block, three stories in height and covering an area of 100 by 40 feet, was completed and occupied in 1839. In 1846 he put in operation the extensive nail factory and rolling-mill, of which previous mention has been made, and in 1852 started the Bank of Carthage. From the starting of the Carthagenian in 1839, up to its re- moval to Gouverneur in 1849, he was the principal owner of the printing press in Carthage. The cotton factory, burnt in 1856, was a splendid building for that purpose, or might have been utilized for other manufacturing purposes if required. Mr. McCollom was an able and strennons advocate of the Black River Canal in the early days, when its completion seemed so- important to the interests of the village. He carried into all his relations with his fellowmen, for whatever seemed to him for the general good, the same untiring zeal which characterized his other actions. He died in Carthage, October 2, 1876.
Joseph Mick, son of Michael, came to Wilna, from New Jersey, about 1829. He was a molder, and worked in the foundry, and also purchased and worked the farm now occupied by George Hosford. He married Alice, daughter of Thomas Gustin, and they had three children: George W., of Forestport, N. Y .; Norris J., of Chicago .; and Emogene E., who married John Murphy, and has a son, Charles J., who is a newsboy on the C. & A. Railroad.
Thomas Burns, from Ireland, located in Carthage in 1829. About 1831 he removed to Lewis County, and two years later returned to Wilna, where he died in 1880. He followed the occupation of farming. His wife, Catharine Gormley, bore him 12 children, 10 of whom sur- vive. His son James W. was born November 16, 1837. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. A, 186th Regt. N. Y. Vols., and was discharged June 2, 1865. He participated in the battles of Hatch- er's Run and Petersburg, and in the last named battle was wounded in the head by a piece of shell. In 1866 he married Patience, daughter of Isaac Blanchard, by whom he has three- children, John, Mabel, and Guy. Mr. Burns has always resided in this town, and for many years has been engaged in the lumber business.
Peter Hanson came from Lowville, Lewis County, to this town, in 1838, and settled on the farm now owned by Jolin Kelley. He served in the War of 1812, and participated in the bat --
859
TOWN OF WILNA.
tle of Sackets Harbor. He reared a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. Hanson died in 1871.
John Vinier, Jr., was born in St. Johns, Canada, and in 1833 located in the village of Car- thage, where he has since resided. He married Alice Yarto, in 1838, by whom he had 10 chil- dren, four of whom are living, viz .: Eleazer, who is engaged in the stove and tinware business; Frederick, who resides in Gouverneur. St. Lawrence County; George, who married Josephine, daughter of Patrick Collins; and Mary (Mrs. Victor Guyot), who resides in Carthage village.
Jacob Clearwater, son of Daniel, was born in Marbletown, Ulster County, and about 1836 came to the town of Wilna. About 1842 he located upon the farm, on road 79, now occupied by his son Daniel. He married Hester Sheley, of Johnstown, N. Y., by whom he had five sons and two daughters. His son Daniel was born in Johnstown. He married Helen, daughter of V. P. Hanson, of Theresa, and they have one son, Victor H., who lives with his parents.
Adam Ormiston, a pioneer of Wilna, was born Jnly 31, 1807, in Scotland, near Abbottsford, and in sight of the mansion and joining the estate of Sir Walter Scott. Ilis ancestry were of Highland Scotch extraction. At the age of 12 years he came with his father's family to Amer- ica and settled in Rossie, St. Lawrence County, arriving there in April, 1819. (His father's fam- ily consisted of seven sons and two daughters.) At the age of 24 years he married Margaret Robison, who had lately come from Scotland with her father's family, and they began married life on a farm near Antwerp village. During the summer of 1832 he bought a farm of 100 acres in the central part of Wilna, and in December, with one of his brothers, he went from Antwerp with an ox-team to this farm to build a log cabin, in the construction of which he did not use a nail, and did not pay ont a cent for anything except for one window containing six 7 by 9 lights, which cost him 75 cents. For floor they split straight-grained basswood as thin as they could, and hewed it smooth, the same material being used for doors; and for roof basswood troughs were laid, the first ones bark side down, and the upper ones, to break joints, bark side up. For a fire-place and chimney a rough stone was found in the woods and used with mud for mortar, which made a comfortable and warm house, in which they lived until 1840, when a frame house was built, and the old house used for a stable. In February, 1833, he loaded his household goods and wife on an ox-sled, and. with a cow, started for their future home in Wilna. His cabin was about a quarter of a mile from the public road. He could not reach it by the road made in December, and was compelled to make a new road, cutting brush and stamping the snow before the oxen as they proceeded. He was soon established in his new home, and then commenced a life of toil; but he was often heard to remark in after years that the few years they lived in the log cabin, rearing their family and clearing up the farm, were the happiest of his life, his wife being perfectly contented and happy, and both having good health.
Mr. and Mrs. Ormiston reared a family of two sons, James and William H .. and four daughters, Mary, Jane, Betsey, and Margaret. His wife died of heart disease, November 1, 1875, aged 67 years. He died of pneumonia, October 2, 1888, aged 81 years. His sons both served in the civil war. William H. enlisted as a private in Co. H, 2d Regt. N. Y. H. A., October 14, 1861, and was mustered out of service a duty sergeant October 29, 1864. He par- ticipated in the battles of Bull Run, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg (1864), before Petersburg, Five Forks, South Side Railroad. Amelia Springs, Round Fort, and surrender of Lee. In the battle of Petersburg (1864) he was wounded three times, and since 1880 has been obliged to go with crutches, his disability resulting from in- juries to the spine, caused by a wound in the back. James Ormiston enlisted as private in the 186th Regt. N. Y. Inf., in November, 1864, and served until the war closed.
Daniel Branagan came from County Meath, Ireland, and located in Lewis County, N. Y., about 1816. He married Sarah Illingsworth, of New Breman, about 1820, and removed to the town of Ellisburgh, whence he removed to Watertown in 1821, and located on the south side of the river. He erected a building, in which he conducted a grocery, where the R., W. & O. and U. & B. R. railroads cross, and which was afterwards converted into a hotel, known as the Center Honse. Iu 1836 he removed to Wilna, and located on the farm now owned by Peter McQuillen. He resided in Wilna until 1849, when he removed to the town of Croghan, Lewis County, locating on the farm now occupied by his son Samuel, where he died in 1864. His wife died in 1884. Of their family of six sons and three danghters, five are living, viz .: Mary A. (Mrs. R. W. Eddy), of Cordova, Minn .; Agnes (Mrs. G. A. Kilborn). of Minneapolis,
:860
TOWN OF WILNA.
Minn .; Sarah (Mrs. William Graham), of Carthage; and Daniel and Samuel, who reside in Croghan. Daniel served nearly three years in Battery D, 1st N. Y. Lt. Art. Samuel Brana- gan was born February 22, 1837, and in August, 1863, enlisted in Co. E, 20th N. Y. Cav., and was mustered out August 31. 1865. He married, first, Maryette Yule, who born him three children,- - Hattie L., Gertie, and George H., -- and second, Elizabeth Kesler, by whom he has four children, Frederick G., Charles, Maggie, and Samuel.
Milton H. Carter, son of Zeboaim, was born in Lewis County in 1807. In 1837, with his wife, Sarah, he came to Wilna. He located on the farm on road 6 now owned by Joseph Brew- ster, and here resided until 1848, when he removed to the farm now owned by his son, W. B. Carter, on road 12. Here he resided until 1866, when he removed to Denmark, Lewis County, where he died in 1874. He was supervisor of Wilna in 1845, and also held other town offices. He had a family of eight children, six of whom are living, viz .: Norris M. is a physician in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Maria T. (Mrs. James Seaman) resides in the town of Philadelphia ; Ellen O. (Mrs. Merritt Fargo) resides in this town; Hannibal Z. and Frank L. reside in Stamford, Conn .; and W. B. occupies the homestead farm on road 12, in this town. The latter married Louise, daughter of Jonathan Aldrich, and they have two children, Eugene W. and Josephine L., who reside at home. Mr. Carter enlisted in Co. E, 20th N. Y. Cav., in 1863, served as quartermaster-sergeant, and was discharged in the fall of 1864.
John Johnson removed from Clayville, Oneida County, and located in Carthage village, where he resided about 16 years, where he removed to Fullersville, St. Lawrence County, where he died. He was a molder and iron worker by trade. Of his seven children, John B. was a merchant in Carthage for a long time and now resides in Gouverneur; Julia A. married J. P. Hodgkins, of Carthage, and now lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Epaphroditus now resides in Carthage. The latter was born April 3, 1814, and in 1838 married Martha L. Gates and settled in Sterlingville, where he worked at the molding and iron working trade. Upon the death of his wife, about 11 months after their marriage, he removed to Wilna, where he married Cor- nelia, daughter of Rev. Harvey De Wolf, and was located upon a farm for five years. He then resided in Turin, Lewis County, Wilna, Brownville, Theresa, and in Pennsylvania, and in 1874 returned to Carthage, where he now resides. He has had eight children, viz .: Martha S. (Mrs. Volney Marsh) and John H., of Carthage; Charles E. (deceased), who was station agent on the Emelton & Shepingville Railroad, at Turkey City, Pa .; James F., of Rochester, Ind .; Bruce G., of Findley's Lake, N. Y .: Anna A. (Mrs. R. S. Perrine). of Chicago, Ill .; Mary F. (Mrs. Barr), of Chicago, Ill .; and Estella H. (Mrs. R. C. Robertson), of Bay City, Mich. Mr. John- son enlisted in Co. E, 16th Penn. Cav., January 4, 1863, and was discharged November 28, 1865.
Oliver Dodge came from Litchfield County, Conn., to Wilna in 1839, and located on the farm now owned by Henry Swind, on road 29, where he took up 200 acres. He married Tem- perance Gallup, and they reared a family of 10 children, five of whom are living, namely: Ann E., Abby J., Louisa R .. Joseph F., and L. G.
Joseph Loomis, one of the first settlers of Windsor, Conn., eame from Braintree, Eng., in 1638. Jonathan Loomis, a descendant of Joseph, removed with his wife, six sons, and two daughters, from Pittsfield, Mass., and located in the town of Champion in 1808, on the farm now occupied by Henry Ingraham. He did faithful service for his country in the Revolution- ary war. His children all settled in Champion, and at one time his was the most numerons family in the town. Alvin, one of the sons, married Naney Waite, of Bennington, Vt., and located near the foot of Pleasant Lake, on the farm now owned by William Smith. Here he reared a family of eight sons and four daughters, six of whom are now living. He served in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Saekets Harbor. He died April 19, 1858, aged 74 years, and his widow November 22, 1871, aged 83 years.
Manly Loomis, son of Alvin, was born September 7, 1817. He married Rachel Baldwin, of Albany, N. Y., in 1839, and in 1841 removed to the village of Carthage and engaged in black- smithing on Water street, near his present location. In 1857 he commenced the manufacture of carriages, in which business he has been engaged longer than any other person in town. Mr. Loomis was the second man in town to vote the Abolitionist ticket, and his house was the refuge of the colored man. He was at one time the candidate of the Abolitionist party for member of Assembly. He has always been a strong temperance man, and is now, at an ad- vanced age, an active business man. His family consists of three sons and two daughters, viz .: George, Stoel W., Jay A., Laura, and Lucelia M. The latter married Frank G. Willis
861
TOWN OF WILNA.
and resides in Rochester. George served three years in 2d N. Y. H. A., and resides in this town. Stoel W. also served in the 2d N. Y. H. A., and held the offices of corporal and ser- geant. He is now engaged in business with his father. Jay A. also carries on an extensive business on Water street in Carthage.
Nelson W. Lanphear, son of Jeremiah and Fanny ( Fulton) Lanphear, was born in the town of Wilna, June 16, 1841. In August. 1863, he enlisted in Co. A, 20th N. Y. Cav., and was discharged in May, 1865, from Balfour Hospital. In November, 1870, he married Sarah M., danghter of Abram and Samantha (Loomis) Smith, and settled on the homestead, where he resided until 1889, when he removed to Carthage village. He has three children, Bert S., Fanny S., and Fred.
Guy E. Penniman, son of Zurial, was born in the town of Rutland, January 4, 1828. In 1850 he married Madeline M., daughter of John Smith, of Wilna, and located in this town, on road 75, where he now resides. He has two children, Guy, who resides in Carthage, and Car- rie (Mrs. Dexter Crowner). Zuria! Penniman came from Keene, N. H., in 1815.
Solomon Ashcraft came from Guilford, Vt., to the town of Wilna, about 1850, and located at Natural Bridge, where he engaged in the manufacture of broom handles where Graves's saw-mill now stands. He also owned the farm now occupied by Thomas Burgin, and there re- sided until his death, in 1879, aged 7t years. His son Engene S. married Amelia An, daugh- ter of Philip Covey, and they have four children, viz .: Jesse S., Lorenzo E., Jennie A., and Charles H. Mr. Ashcraft resides on road 25, and is a carpenter by trade. When 19 years of age, while hunting in the town of Vernon, Vt., he sustained an accident to his foot, which necessitated its amputation.
Charles T. Hammond died in Carthage, March 24, 1865, aged 28 years, 10 months, and 15 days. His versatile talents commanded the respect of all, while his warm heart and social nature won for him the love of a wide and extended circle of friends. Although a young man. his ability as a lawyer had already given him a good position among the members of the Jeffer- son County bar, while in political circles he had been honored by his party (Democratic) as their candidate for member of Assembly in this district. His musical talents were of a high order, an 1 his oratorical powers were the occasion of frequent calls from his constituents at home and abroad, for their exercise at public and political meetings. His death was deeply deplored in the community and among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, a feeling of regret and sadness being generally experienced that a life which gave such brilliant promise should end so early and suddenly.
Joseph P. Brownell, son of C. B., was born in the town of Duanesburg, N. Y., January 29, 1827. In 1849 he came to Carthage and entered the land office of Le Ray de Chaumont, as an assistant of his uncle, Nelson Rulison, who was a surveyor, and under whose direction Joseph P. learned surveying. In 1856 he married Parthenia S., daughter of Osmon Caswell, of Theresa, and settled in West Carthage. In 1862 he removed to Croghan, Lewis County; in 1866 was elected justice of the peace; and in 1870-71 served as supervisor of that town. In 1873 he returned to Carthage, where he has since resided. In 1876-77 he served as justice of the peace, and is now one of the assessors of the town. He is well known in the county as a sur- veyor, and has been connected with the Le Ray land office since 1849. He has three sons liv- ing, Hiram M., James P., and Charles M.
Dr. P. E. Johnson came from Cooperstown, Otsego County, where he had practiced medi- cine for 20 years, and located in Natural Bridge about 1853. In 1854 he purchased a tract of tim- ber land and engaged in hunbering, and subsequently, for a few years, engaged in tanning. He also practiced his profession from 1870 to 1882, when he retired. He is now living, aged 77 years.
Levi Wood, son of Joshua A., was born in Le Ray, September 2, 1826. He learned the molders' trade in Watertown, and in 1851 married Lucinda M. Hotchkins, and located in Car- thage, where he has since been working at his trade. He served one year in Co. D, 10th N. Y. ff. A. He married, second, Catharine Tripp. His first wife bore him two children.
Remsen R. Brown, son of Peter, was born in Sharon, Schoharie County, N. Y., August 4, 1810. His father, Peter Brown, located in the town of Antwerp, July 5, 1821, where he took up a tract of land, and here remained until his death. Of his nine children, three are living. Remsen R., when 18 years of age, removed to Albany, N. Y., and worked in the Albany Cof- fee House winters, and on the Erie Canal summers. From 1831 till 1835 he run a packet boat.
862
TOWN OF WILNA.
on the canal from Albany to Schenectady. In 1836 he located in Felt's Mills, in the town of Rutland, where he married Philena, daughter of Joseph and Jemima Stebbins, in 1836, and in May of the same year bought the hotel of his wife's father, and conducted it until 1854, when he sold out and located in Carthage. Here he bought the Henry's Hotel, which he rebuilt and enlarged, and named Brown's Hotel, which was burned July 6, 1861. August 24, of the same year, he commenced the erection of the hotel now known as the Levis House, into which he moved in November of that year. He kept this hotel until 1864, when he leased it, and in 1869 sold it to O. S. Levis and opened a general store, which he conducted until 1886, when he leased his store to Frank Failing and retired from active business. Mr. Brown had born to him two children, Jerome R., now a banker and real estate dealer in Parsons, Kansas, and Mary E. (Mrs. O. S. Levis), who died June 7, 1887.
George Gilbert, son of Berzilla and Asenath Gilbert, was born December 18, 1828, in the town of Northampton, in what is now the county of Fulton (then Montgomery County). His an- cestors were of French and English descent, and his grandparents were natives of Connec- tient, where his mother was also born, his father being a native of this state. Both of his grandfathers served in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Gilbert was educated in the select and com- mon schools of his native town, and in Kingsboro Academy in the town of Johnstown. He commenced the study of law in the spring of 1851, with Wesley W. Gleason, in the village of Fish House, in his native town, was admitted to the bar of this state at a General Term held in the town of Salem, in June, 1853, and was admitted to practice in the district courts of the United States in 1862. June 30, 1854, Mr. Gilbert located in Carthage village, where he subse- quently resided, with a large clientage and a successful practice. The fall preceding his com- ing to Carthage he was a candidate for the office of district attorney. in the connty of Fulton, on the Democratic ticket, but suffered defeat with the rest of the ticket. He served as town clerk and justice of the peace each one term. From 1861 his influence was with the Repub- lican party. July 7, 1875, Mr. Gilbert was married to Hattie C. McAllister, daughter of Harvel McAllister, of Stowe, Vt., by whom he had four children, viz .: George McA., Bruce B., Laura E., and Ernest H. Mr. Gilbert was a prominent citizen of the town, and was identified with the principal enterprises for its commercial advancement. It was through his efforts that the requisite legislation was secured in favor of the construction of the last lock and dam upon what is known as the "Black River improvement," which was really the completion of the Black River Canal. He was vice-president, secretary, director, and general manager of the Black River & St. Lawrence Railway Company, whose interests were afterwards merged in the Carthage & Adirondack Railway Company, and was a member of the first board of directors in the latter organization. He died at his home in Carthage, after a brief illness, Marchi 19, 1890.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.