Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 34

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 34

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).

A fine graded school building was erected in 1884, and in 1885 it was first opened for classes. It has five departments under the instruction of compe- tent teachers, and John O'Leary is the principal.

For more than a quarter of a century Alexandria Bay has been visited as a summer resort. Its location in the immediate vicinity of the most numer- ous cluster of the Thousand Islands, and its beautiful situation on the St. Lawrence, constitute the salient characteristics of its popularity. In 1848 Mr. C. Crossmon began keeping hotel at the Bay, but it was not until 1872 that the rush commenced, although a few persons, some of them men of note, had made it their summer vacation place for years. Among these early visitors

248

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

were Governor Seward, Martin and John Van Buren, Silas Wright, Frank Blair, Preston King, General Dick Taylor, and Rev. George Bethune. In 1872 President Grant and family and a party of their friends accepted an invitation from George W. Pullman, of palace-car notoriety, to visit his island cottage. In 1872-73 the present magnificent "Thousand Island House" and the equally fine "Crossmon House" were erected and thrown open to the public, since which time no watering-place has received a better or more elegant patronage.

Alexandria Bay has never been noted for its manufactories, except perhaps for the superior class of small skiffs and steam yachts built here. It con- tains two steam saw and lumber-dressing mills, and a goodly number of stores and mechanic shops, including the machine shop of Louis Tassey, where the repairing of marine machinery is made a specialty. A. C. McIntyre's photo- graphic studio supplies a great number of Thousand Island views, and the variety is constantly increasing. Indian baskets, bead work, and other curios here find a ready market during the summer season. The village is provided with a steam fire engine and other adequate fire apparatus.

The Alexandria Bay Steamboat Co., organized in 1887, built the steamer New Island Wanderer, which took the place of the Island Wanderer, and has for two years made the famous route inaugurated by Capt. E. WV. Visger, under whose management the new boat has been run. A. C. Cornwall, of Alexandria Bay, is treasurer of the company. The boat is one of the fastest on the river and is very popular with summer visitors.

REDWOOD (p. o.), a thriving village near the line of Theresa, owes its ori- gin to a glass factory established by John S. Foster, who for several years had been engaged in this business, as agent, in various localities. In April, 1833, he visited this county, examined several localities, and finally selected this, which is on the stream connecting Mud and Butterfield lakes, the former of which is about 94 feet above the latter, affording a limited water-power, that had several years previous been improved by the erection of a saw and grist- mill by David Smith, of Adams. Foster contracted with Francis Depau for a tract of 10,000 acres, as agent, borrowed several thousand dollars of Depau, and the same summer erected a glass factory, and on September 30, 1833, the first glass was made. The village was surveyed by Thomas Clark, and named Jamesville, but Mr. Foster gave the place the present name, from its similarity to " Redford," his late residence, in hopes of thus being able to compete in the sale of glass with an establishment from which he claimed to have been unjustly discharged. The glass factory has at times been con- ducted by the following : Schmauss & Co., Gerlach & Son, Ingleson, Forbes & Co., and H. S. White, and from 1844 by Dezeng & Co. from the Clyde glass factory. In 1853 a joint stock company, with a capital of $12,- ooo, was formed, entitled the "Redwood Glass Manufacturing Company." In 1859 W. W. Butterfield became connected with the concern as its presi- dent, and subsequently purchased all the stock. The works are not now in

A Cornwall

249

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

operation. A wool-carding and cloth-dressing factory was built here in 1846, by William Page. Cook & Smith manufacture sash, doors, blinds, and moldings, and Daniel Springer has a steam saw-mill at Redwood.

PLESSIS (p. o.) is situated midway on the old Alexandria and Theresa plank-road, three miles from Redwood. It derived its name from a place in France. It is familiarly known as " Flat Rock," from the prevalence of the Potsdam sandstone formation in the vicinity, which presents a consider- able portion of naked rock. In 1817 Mr. Le Ray erected a grist-mill here on Plessis Creek, which was purchased by Jason Clark and William Shurtleff and rebuilt in 1830. The first store was opened by Lull & Walton, in 1820. The first log house was erected by William Merrill in 1818, and was after- wards by him converted into an inn. Here, in 1826, he was murdered by one John Powell, who was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for the crime. The first frame house was erected by William Tanner, and was used by him as a dwelling and a store. The first church edifice was the Union building erected in 1833. A tannery was erected near the village on Plessis Creek in 1821, by James Carter. A school-house was built in 1826, after the forma- tion of the districts. The chief manufactories in the vicinity of Plessis are the grist, saw, and shingle-mills of John H. Cline, and the saw-mill of Horace P. Hoyt.

Spafford wrote in 1823 of Alexandria in 1821, when it was erected as a township : Alexandria Bay had several houses, a tavern, store, and forward- ing house. On Mullet Creek there was a saw-mill, and on Plessis Creek a saw-mill and a grist-mill. The population was estimated at 150 families, the census being included in that of Le Ray and Brownville.

The first improvement in this town was made about 181 1, by Mr. Le Ray, ·who caused a clearing to be made at Alexandria Center, to afford facilities to first settlers by supplying them with grain until it could be raised by them- selves. He paid $12 per acre with the ashes, and half the first crop, for these jobs, and built a log barn. In 1811 the proprietors made the Morris and Hammond road, extending from Hammond village to the Red Tavern, near Theresa, where it intersected another road, from the river to Philadelphia. The former was cleared four rods wide, bridged and seeded with grass, but had become nearly closed up when it was opened as a part of the Military road, in 1820-23.

Cranberry Creek, about three miles from its mouth, was, during the War of 1812, the scene of an engagement that is detailed in the County Chapter under the heading " War of 1812." Sales of land commenced in this town in 1816. The first contracts were made payable in seven years, and required the settlers, within one year, to build a house, equal to a log house 18 feet square, and to clear one twenty-fifth part of the land contracted in a farmer- like manner. Prices began at $3 per acre, and after 1820 mineral reserva- tions were inserted in contracts and deeds. James Carnagie, Samuel Youngs, William Martin, Moses George, Leicester Hoadley, - Root, John W.

250

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

Fuller, Jerre Carrier were early settlers. The town continued to increase in population rapidly until 1828, when a sickly season checked its growth, and gave it a reputation for unhealthfulness from which it was slow in recovering.

CHURCHES.

The Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles, located at Alexandria Bay, was organized August 1, 1851, with five male and eight female members. Rev. Anson Dubois was the first pastor. The church building, a stone struc- ture, 35 by 55 feet, was begun in 1848, and was opened for worship May 25, 1851. It has a seating capacity for 300 persons, cost $2,822, and is now valued, including grounds and other church property, at $10,000. The present membership is 110, under the pastoral charge of Rev. C. Parks Evans. The Sunday-school has 150 scholars and to teachers.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Alexandria Bay had, for its. first pastor, Rev. William M. Holbrook. The church building, a wooden. structure, cost $6,500, and is now valued, including grounds and other church property, at $10,000. It has a seating capacity for 280 persons. The present membership is 134, and Rev. Earl H. Kenyon is pastor. It supports a. Sunday-school of 14 officers and teachers, and 95 scholars.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Redwood was organized July 8, 1889, by Rev. C. Phelps, the first pastor, who continues in that capacity, and at its organization consisted of 10 members. Their house of worship, in course of construction, will, when finished, seat about 300 persons. The present membership is 20.

St. Peter's Church (Protestant Episcopal), of Redwood, was organized August 12, 1850, and the house of worship was erected in 1851. It will comfortably seat 175 persons, and is valued, including grounds and other property, at $2,200. The present membership is 75, of whom 25 are com- municants. Rev. George G. Perrine, of Theresa, is rector. The Sunday- school has a membership of 35 scholars and six teachers.

The Church of St. Lawrence (Protestant Episcopal), at Alexandria Bay, was begun as a mission in 1880, with Rev. F. B. A. Lewis, M. D., as rector, and has not yet been organized as a separate parish church. Their house of worship, now in process of erection, of Laurentian stone, will comfortably seat 250 persons, and has already cost $1,800. The present rector is Rev. G. G. Perrine, of St. James's Church, Theresa.

251

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

ANDREW CORNWALL.

Andrew Cornwall, the ancestor of Andrew Cornwall, of Alexandria Bay, emigrated to this country from England, with his family, some where about 1710, and settled in Old Chatham, Conn. (now Portland), where three generations of the same name lived and died. The third Andrew Cornwall, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died after the close of that war from a wound received in the battle of Bennington.

Andrew Cornwall, 4th, father of our subject, with two brothers, William and Ancil, left Connecticut about 1800, and came to what was at that time called the far West, or Genesee country. Their first stop was at what is now the city of Rochester, then a wilderness, where there was a small settlement; but think- ing it was a swamp country, and not a good place to locate, they went to what is now Pultneyville, Wayne County, N. Y., where there was another small set - tlement with a saw-mill and grist mill. Here they located and married, and here our subject was born March 25, 1814. After attending the district school winters, and working on the farm summers, until 13 years old, he entered the country store of John Reynolds, and continued in his employ for 13 years as clerk and book keeper. His health failing him, from close appli- cation to business, he purchased a small vessel and went on the lakes as a sailor. After three years of this business, his health being fully restored, he sold his vessel and left the water. In January, 1843, he was married to Mary C. Cathoun, who is still living. In July, 1844, he moved to Redwood, Jef- ferson County, N. Y., and entered the employ of De Zang & Burlingame, manufacturers of glass. He was in charge of their store for two and a half years. In November, 1846, at the solicitation of Azariah Walton, he moved to Alexandria Bay, and took an interest in the firm of L. A. Walton & Co., then organized, which continued until 1853, when L. A. Walton died. A new firm was then organized, under the name of Cornwall & Walton. John F. Wal- ton being the junior partner, which partnership continued until April 1, 1877, when Cornwall and Walton both retired from business, and the firm of Corn- wall Brothers was formed, consisting of the four sons of Andrew Cornwall, viz .: Andrew C., Charles W., John I., and Harvey A. This firm is still in business.

251

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

Andrew Cornwall was supervisor of his town from 1852 to 1856, and again from 1861 to 1865. Being what was then called a war Democrat he was made a member of the war committee of the county, though the board of supervisors was largely Republican. He served the committee faithfully in recruiting and filling the quotas of his own town and the county, often to the serious detriment of his own private business. In 1867 he was nominated by his party for member of Assembly, and, although his competitor was elected the year previous by a large majority, Mr. Cornwall was successful. While in the Legislature of 1868 he was a member of the Committee of Ways and Means, of the manufacture of salt, and of the sub committee of the whole. He was, in the fall of 1868, candidate for Congress against Hon. A. H. Laflin, and as his party was largely in the minority he was defeated by very small majority.

In 1845 Azariah Walton bought of Henry Yates the north half of Wells Island, and all the small islands in the River St. Lawrence, in American waters, from Round Island, in Clayton, to the village of Morristown, St. Lawrence County. At his death the firm of Cornwall & Walton bought them from his estate, for the timber, and for many years they cut steamboat wood from them, some years getting as high as 12,000 cords. After the wood was mostly cut off the larger ones were sold for faims. About 1860 wood began to give way to coal, and they determined to sell them at a nominal price to induce people to build on them summer homes, thereby making the St. Lawrence River a famous watering-place, of which there can be no doubt they have succeeded.

Mr. Cornwall commenced his business career with very limited means, but with a determination to succeed. With close attention to every detail, and a constant care that no debt should be made that could not be met when due, and no unnecessary expense incurred, he has succeeded in his determination to attain to a reasonable competency.

Mr. Cornwall has never been an ostentatious man, though in business mat- ters he has always been energetic and prompt, exacting from others only what he would himself do if in their places. The example of such a life as Mr. Cornwall's is a benefit in any community. Any young man, if he pur- sue a persistent course towards a desirable and honorable end, may succeed, if he will, in this favored land of ours.

25E

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Azariah Walton, born in Chesterfield, N. H., August 20, 1784, was of English descent. He emigrated to Jefferson County previous to the War of 1812, and superintended the construc- tion of the cotton-mills at Brownville as an expert mechanic. In 1824 he removed from Brownville to Theresa, where he was a merchant until 1828, when he received the appoint- ment of deputy collector of customs for the port of Alexandria Bay, which office he held for nearly 19 years, and lived here until his death, June 10, 1855. Mr. Walton became owner of a large portion of the American islands in the St. Lawrence River, and through life was a prom- inent man of the town and county.

Andrew Cornwall was born in Pultneyville, N. Y., March 25, 1814. He is of English (lescent, and the name Andrew has desc-nded through seven generations. His grandfather Andrew served in the Revolutionary war under General Washington and was wounded in action. Mr. Cornwall attended the common schools until he attained the age of 13 years, when he engaged as clerk in the general store of a Mr. Reynolds, where he remained 13 years. His health not permitting a continuance of mercantile pursuits, he engaged in sailing on the lakes for three and a half years. In 1844 he came to Redwood and was employed by the Redwood Glass Company for two years. In 1846 he located in Alexandria Bay and formed a partnership with L. A. Walton,* which continued until Mr. Walton's death in 1853. He then formed a partnership with the Walton Brothers, which was continued until 1877, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name of Cornwall Brothers. In 1842 Mr. Corn- wall married Mary Calhoon, of Williamson, N. Y., and they have had five sons, four of whom survive, namely: Andrew C., Charles W., John I., and Harvey A., who are members of the firm of Cornwall Brothers. Mr. Cornwall was a member of the Assembly in 1868.

Jacob H. Springer, a native of Herkimer County, came to Alexandria in 1834. Daniel, son of Jacob H., was one year old when he came to this town with his parents. He was educated in the common schools, and February 25, 1859, married Martha, eldest daughter of Benjamin Fox, of this town, and they have a son, George B., who married Mattie Pierce and has two sons, Earl and Jay. Martin Springer, son of Jacob II., was born in Alexandria about 1837. He received a liberal education, and January 31, 1865, he married Eliza A. Russell, of this town, and they have had four sons, three of whom survive, namely: Nean, Mark, and Fred. Mr. Springer is a farmer and town assessor.

Abel Bigelow, a native of Massachusetts, came to Alexandria about 1834 and settled in Redwood, where he engaged in farming. He married Amelia Tilton and they had ten children, five of whom are living, three in this county, namely: Juhet (Mrs. Benjamin Whitney), Sarah (Mrs. A. L. White), and Alzina L. (Mrs. Alonzo Kring), of Champion.

Rush R. Cline, a farmer, was born at Three Mile Bay, in the town of Lyme, July 8, 1845. He was reared upon a farm and attended the common schools. He has been twice married. January 15, 1872. he wedded with Hannah Fenton, of Lyme, who bore him a son, Mark D., and died July 30, 1876. January 3, 1877, he married Mrs. Rena (Way) Wells, of Lyme, and they have a daughter, Mary W., who was born April 6, 1878. By her first marriage Mrs. Cline had a daughter, Maud H. Way.

Joseph Houghton was born in Fairlee, Vt., January 24, 1820. When he was 11 years old his parents removed to Watertown, and two years later located in the town of Orleans. He located in Alexandria about 1835, when there were few roads in the town. January 1. 1846, he married Jane, daughter of Daniel Clark, a native of Thetford, Vt., and they have had nine children, tive of whom attained adult age, namely: Almon H., Albert D., Martha, Jennett S., and Elvia C. Martha married Allen Russell and died leaving six children. Jennett S mar- ried William Kepler, of Wells Island, and died leaving a son. Mr. and Mrs. Houghton ocenpy the homestead where they have resided 43 years. Almon H. was born in Alexandria and was educated in the common schools. At the age of 23 years he married Candace L., daughter of Abram Raught, of Orleans, and they have had four children, three of whom survive, namely: Norris A., Lillian J., and Linnie M.

Ebenezer D. Smith, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., married P'hebe Cough, of Johns-

* The firm of Cornwall & Walton for many years were heavy contractors in wood for steamboats, and by the employment of the citizens in its production and delivery aided materially in the development of the town.

252

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

town, N. Y., and they had three sons and seven daughters, namely : Caroline, Amy E., Har- riet M., Margaret A .. George H., William D., Francis M., Stephen A., Joanna A., and Les- tina. George H. Smith was born in St. Lawrence County, whence he removed to Jefferson County in 1846. Ile received a good common school education and followed farming the greater part of his life. In 1858, at the age of 27 years, he married Mary Jane, daughter of Solomon Makepeace, of Alexandria, and they have two sons and one danghter, namely : Ar- thur J., Carrie J., and George E. Arthur J. Smith is a cheesemaker and resides at home with his father. Carrie J. married John Cook, of Redwood. George E. is an oarsman and guide, and resides with his father.

David Parker was born in Vermont in 1809. He married, first, Persis Hill, and they had three sons, Edson D., Marquis W., and Byron. He married, second, Persis Kimball, of Rutland, and they had a son, Loren M. In 1837 Mr. Parker located on road 22. in Antwerp. where he re- sided until his death, aged 50 years. Loren M. Parker received a common school education and is now engaged in farming. September 15, 1870, he married Sarah S. Merrill and they have one son, Frank L. They reside near the village of Redwood.

Moses C. Jewett was born in Windsor, Vt., February 11, 1815. About 1845 he married Mary A. Wakefield, of Reading, Vt., and in 1846 they removed to this town and located at what is now known as Jewett's Corners. They had two sons and four daughters, namely : Laura A., Henrietta A., Emma, Marcus J., Marion I., and Charles C. Marcus J. Jewett received a lib- eral education. September 10, 1879, he married Libbie M. Marklie, and they have four chil- dren, namely : Frank G., Morris H., Ina C., and John C. He now occupies the homestead settled by his father 43 years ago. Moses C. Jewett was a member of the Assembly in 1859-60.

John Rudes was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1815. He removed to the town of Phil- adelphia, and when 20 years of age married Pamelia Stevens, of Plessis, by whom he had eight children, four of whom are living, namely: EarlS., Lorenzo O., Rufus S., and Amelia. Rufus S. Rudes was born in Alexandria, October 30, 1847. September 16, 1869, when 22 years of age, he married Cora C. Duclon, of Antwerp, by whom he has had six children, five of whom sur- vive, namely : Warren J., Bertha P., Minnie P., Rufus E., and George E.

John Moore was born in Kings County, Ireland, about 1819, and in 1840 he emigrated to this country and located in Watertown, where he resided about seven years. April 2. 1849, he mar- ried Mary, only daughter of Thomas MeCartin, of Redwood, and they had ten children,-two sons and eight daughters, - of whom eight survive, namely : Ellen, Alice, John H., Catherine F., Elizabeth C., Agnes L., Emma L., and Emmet J. John H. Moore was born on the home- stead on road 23, November 14, 1857. He received a liberal education, having attended the High school in Watertown several terms. He married Elsie Bauder, of this town, and they have two sons and a danghter, namely : Francis S., Manrice E., and Mary Catherine.

Erastus Hardy was born in the town of Sandy Creek, Oswego County, October 31, 1815. In 1820 his parents located in Pamelia, subsequently removing to Le Ray, and finally locating in Alexandria, where his son Charles J. is now engaged in farming. His first wife, Jane Wiley, of Hounsfield, whom he married November 15, 1838, bore him two children, Sylvester and Snsan. His second wife, Catherine (Sheely) Van Brocklin, bore him three children, Jane, Valeria, and Charles J.

David Countryman was born in Herkimer County, December 23, 1815. He married Lavina Shoemaker, and they have had eight children, namely : Joseph, George, Hannah C., Reu- ben, Charles H., Orvice, Mary A., and Martha. Joseph Countryman was born in Herkimer County, September 30, 1842, and when one year old removed with his parents to Pamelia. He located in Alexandria when nine years of age. When 20 years of age he enlisted in the late war. October 30, 1866, he married Mary, adopted daughter of John Roof, and they have two children, Arthur R. and May E.

Claudius Duelon, father of Andrew C., was born on the eastern part of Wells Island in 1807. When 38 years of age he married Sophia Curler, of Chaumont Bay, by whom he had six children, of whom Annie died at the age of 10 years, Charles at the age of 19, and four survive, . namely : William, Mary. Daniel, and Andrew C. The latter was born in Alexandria Bay, No- vember 27, 1852. June 15, 1872, he married Adelia, daughter of Thomas Comstock, of Alex- andria Bay, and they have two sons, Charles E. and Arthur H.

Daniel Rappole was born January 14, 1802, and came to Jefferson County from Oneida in 1828. February 11, 1823, he married Mary Billington, by whom he had three sons, namely: Benjamin F., John G., and James M. December 13, 1829, he married for his second wife

253

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

Emily Cole, and they had four children, namely: Mary M., Harriet E., Emily, and Frank. The latter was born in the town of Pamelia, where he attended the common schools until he was 18 years of age. October 7, 1870, at the age of 32 years, he married Addie Nash, of Orleans, and they have four children, namely: Kate M., Jessie E., Lewis D., and F. Leroy. He is a farmer in this town, and was a soldier in the 10th N. Y. HI. A.

Frederick Snell, son of Frederick who served in the War of 1812 at Plattsburgh, was born in Herkimer County, October 2, 1801. When he was quite young his parents located in Low- ville, N. Y., where he married, March 11, 1828, Mary A., danghter of Abijah Crabb, by whom he had eight children, five of whom survive, namely: Marella, Lncy A., Amelia, Denacions, and Emily. Denacious Snell was born in Theresa, May 15, 1840, and attended the public schools until he attained the age of 19 years. March 8, 1862, he married Maria, daughter of Joseph Petrie, and they have four children, viz .: Elmer F., Goudence A., Clarence R., and Gertie A. Mr. Snell is a farmer and resides in Alexandria.

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.

Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 34

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