Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 50

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 50

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).

The First Congregational Church, of West Carthage, was organized by Rev. Mr. Dutton, the first pastor, March 31, 1835, with 12 members. Their house of worship, the present wooden structure, was built in 1852, will comfortably seat 200 persons, and is now valued, including grounds, at $3,000. The present membership is 83, with Rev. George B. Rowley, pastor The Sunday-school has a membership of more than 100, with an average attendance of about 60.

The Baptist Ecclesiastical Church, at Great Bend, was organized in 1842, of two societies,-one at Champion village and one at Rutland, -and at its organization consisted of 200 members. Rev. John Wilder was the first pas- tor. Their first house of worship, the present wooden building, was erected in 1844, at a cost of $1,500. It will comfortably seat 220 persons, and is valued, including grounds, at $1,200. The present membership is 69, with Rev. F. H. Richardson, pastor. The Sunday-school has a membership of 60 scholars and nine teachers, with O. F. Dodge, superintendent.

Trinity Chapel (Protestant Episcopal), located at Great Bend, was started as a mission in 1873 by Mrs. Mary Bradford Sterling Clark, acting under Rev. L. R. Brewer, now missionary bishop of Montana, who was the first rector. It has never been organized as a parish. Their house of worship, the present wood structure, was, erected in 1875, at a cost of $2,500. It will comfortably seat 150 persons, and is now valued, including grounds, at

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$3,000. The mission has been operated from the first mainly by Mrs. Clark, above mentioned, as deaconess, with fortnightly services by the rector of Trinity Church, of Watertown. The chapel has 33 communicants, and Rev. Russell A. Olin, of Watertown, is the present rector.

JAMES MIX.

James Mix, son of Joel and Eleanor Merriam Mix, was born August 24, 1797, in Wallingford, Conn. He was one of a family of 10 children. In the fall following his first birthday his parents with their family migrated to High Falls (now Lyons Falls, Lewis County), and in the following spring came down the Black River by boat to Champion (see sketch of Joel Mix), land- ing at the place now occupied by the village of West Carthage, where he resided with his parents until his father's death, which occurred when he was 17 years of age. Soon after his father's death he went to Watertown and commenced reading law with Egbert Ten Eyck, afterwards first judge of Jefferson County ; but soon thereafter his health failed, and acting under the advice of his physician he returned to Champion and commenced farming.

His first business venture was made during the War of 1812, when troops were being moved through Champion to Sackets Harbor. A disabled cav- alry horse was offered for sale, and young Mix purchased him for $1 and soon after sold him for $17. Perhaps this was indicative of the success he after- wards achieved in the purchase and sale of horses and cattle, for which he became somewhat famous.

October 13, 1822, he was married to Anna Martin, a granddaughter of Capt. Martin, after whom Martin street was named. By this marriage he had one child, a daughter, who died at the age of 19. The mother of this child died October 31, 1825. April 4, 1827, Mr. Mix married Eliza Wilmot, by whom he had four children, viz .: Mrs. Le Roy Wood, Mrs. Melvin C. Rice, Harrison Mix, and Mrs. Mary E. Smith, all of whom survive except Mrs. Smith. The mother of these children died March 4, 1847, and on April 24, 1862, Mr. Mix married Lovina Birdseye, of Trenton, Oneida County, who died November 11, 1881. He was always happy in his domestic relations and commanded the respect of all who knew him.

In June, 1852, Mr. Mix formed a copartnership with Erastus H. Whitney and Edgar Darling, under the firm name of Whitney, Mix & Darling, for the purpose of carrying on the business of merchandising and tanning in the vil- lage of Carthage, just across the river from where his father landed with his family when he came to Jefferson County. Mr. Mix then removed from his farm in Champion to Carthage, where he resided until December, 1853, when the above named copartnership was dissolved. Whitney and Mix transferred their interests to James G. Darling. With the exception of the brief period of his residence in Carthage and Watertown. as above stated, he resided in Champion from the spring of 1799 until his death, which occurred August 28, 1887. Until three weeks before his death he always managed his-

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own business, never finding it necessary to call any one to his aid by reason of any infirmity of mind or body. He died of no particular disease, and it is safe to say that at the time that event occurred he had resided within the territory comprising the county of Jefferson longer than any other person then living. In 1824 he commenced keeping a diary, in which he entered the principal occurrences of each day. He had also written out statements of various matters of interest relating to the early history of Champion and Carthage occurring previous to that year. Some of these it is believed never found their way into print until the publication of this book.

Mr. Mix never availed himself of any opportunities for making himself prominent, but was always contented with a faithful discharge of the duties of life as they came to him from day to day. When a young man he united with the Congregational Church at Champion village, but subsequently united with others in forming the church at Carthage, and for a long time acted as superintendent of the Sabbath school. He was always regular in his at- tendance at church and maintained a spotless Christian character. In poli- tics he was a Whig until the dissolution of that party, after which he affiliated with the Democratic party. He was a man of positive opinions, and one of a class necessary to the well being of every community.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Joel Hubbard. with his brothers Noadialı, Fairchild, Bela, and Stephen, came from Middle- town, Conn., some time previous to the settlement of the " Black River country," and located in Steuben, Oneida County. They left one brother on the old homestead at Middletown, and his posterity are numerous there at the present time. There are also two sisters in this family of eight children, which, with its numerous descendants, may be worthy of a passing notice as noted for the longevity of its members. Joel Hubbard came with the other brothers men- tioned from Steuben to Champion in the year 1799. Noadiah Hubbard had previously visited the town and made a clearing where Champion village now is. Joel took up a wilderness farm, erected a log hut, and with his wife, whose maiden name was Mercy Austin, to whom he was mar- ried in Steuben in 1797, bravely commenced the struggle for existence. Joel and Mercy Hubbard were the parents of 13 children, four of whom died in infancy. The remaining nine lived to an advanced age. Their names were Edward, Clement, Joel A., Charles, Wealthy, Phæbe, Julia Ann, Laura, and Cherille, all of whom, with the exception of the latter, married early in life, settled in Champion, and raised families. There survive at the present writing (1889) three of this remarkable family, viz .: Edward S., who resides with a married daughter near Champion village; Mrs. Wealthy Knowles, relict of the late R. K. Knowles, of West Carthage, to whom we are indebted for many of the facts herein given; and Miss Cherille, a maiden lady residing with a niece near Carthage. Mrs. Knowles is a remarkably preserved woman at the advanced age of 86 years, having a memory extending back almost to the beginning of the present century. She is quite deaf, but otherwise is in the possession of all her faculties. She was the first woman in the town of Champion who signed the pledge of total abstinence, in the summer of 1829, and she says : " What is better, I have always kept." She is the mother of six children, all of whom are living. Joel Austin Hubbard, mentioned above, who died in 1888, became the possessor of a farm which was originally deeded, in 1807, from Storrs and Champion, the old land-holders, to Joel Hubbard, his father, of whom he purchased it in 1835, and upon which he always after lived, and which upon his decease became the property of his son, J. Austin Hubbard, Jr., who is thus not only in possession of the old family name, but also of an estate which has descended through three generations in the same family. The old original deed is shown and is an interesting document. Among many well-known and

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respected descendants of this family we will mention F. H. and E. H. MeNitt, of Copenhagen, N. Y .; Edwin C., Alfred O., and Joel C. Hubbard, all farmers, of Champion ; Charles L. and Samuel Knowles, of Carthage; besides many others. Five of Joel Hubbard's grandchildren are residents of Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, and Missouri. The farm which Joel Hubbard cleared, and upon which he lived to the day of his death, is now owned by T. M. Hadsall, near Champion village. Upon this farm, and almost as good as new, stands a large stone barn, which, according to the legend inscribed upon a large block of granite in the front gable, was erected by "Joel Hubbard in 1829."

Joel Hubbard's descendants are not among those who have aspired to great wealth or high position, but to those humbler virtues of temperance and honest industry which are their own best reward. They are almost without exception, even to the third and fourth generation, a race of farmers, and are successful in their chosen vocation.

Ward Hubbard was born in Oneida County, September 26. 1797, and came with his father, Noadiah, to this town in 1799. He was a prominent farmer, and held several town offices. He married Clarissa S. Fish, and they had one son and six daughters, of whom two daughters, Mary and Clara E., are living and reside in Watertown.

Elihu Jones came from Connectiut into Champion in the spring or summer of 1798, and purchased 100 acres of land about one and three-fourths miles west of Champion village. He made a small clearing and built a log shanty, and returned to Connectient; in 1799 he returned with his wife, accompanied by William Davis, his brother-in-law, and his family. Mr. Jones sold to Davis 40 of the 100 acres, retaining the balance. Davis raised a large family of chil- dren and lived on this 40 aeres till he died, a very old man. Jones had but one child, a daughter, born in 1800, who married Hubby Dorwin, and lived on the old place till about 1840. when they removed to Champion village.

Sylvester Mix, son of Joel, was born in 1795, and was four years of age when his parents located in Champion. When Sylvester was 13 years of age his father died, and being the eldest of seven children the cares of the family devolved upon him. His mother also died while he was yet young. He married Hannah, daughter of John Reed, of Lowville, and settled upon the farm now occupied by his son Joel. He had five children, namely: Mary, Nahar, George, David, and Joel. Joel Mix was born March 27, 1830. In 1852 he married Abigail D., daughter of George and Lydia (Selleck) Fulton, and located on the homestead, where he has sinee re- sided. Ile is engaged in farming, and is one of the road commissioners of the town.

William Rockwood, son of Reuben, eame to Champion in 1799, and settled on the farm now ocenpied by his son Charles G. He did not remain long, however, but about 1801 or '02 re- turned and commenced a clearing. In 1808 he married Polly, daughter of Seth Cutler, and they had 12 children, six of whom are now living, namely: Priscilla (Mrs. David Roulston), in St. Lawrence County; Sally (Mrs. George Sayre), in Champion; Reuben, in Michigan; Sabrina (Mrs. Johnson ). in Croghan, Lewis County; John W .. in Wiseonsin; and Charles G., in Cham- pion. Charles G. Rockwood was born March 26, 1816. He married, first, Mary S. Rounds, and second, Jane Van Deusen. He has two children, F. L., who resides at Felt's Mills, and Demp- ster, who lives with his parents. Dempster Rockwood married Anna, daughter of Joseph Wise, of Watertown, and they have one son, Wesley W. Charles G. Roekwood has always resided upon the old homestead. Reuben Rockwood came to Champion about 1803, and located near his son William. His sons Daniel, Asa, and Roswell also settled on adjoining farms in this town.

Leonard Harris was born in Herkimer County in 1792, and when quite young his father settled in school district No. 6, of this town, west of Champion village, on a tract of 200 acres. which he purchased of the Champion estate. Here Leonard was reared amid the hardships and privations of pioneer life, receiving such education as his surroundings afforded. At the age of 20 he married Miss Lucinda Thompson, of this town, and built him a log house on his grandfather's farm in the same neighborhood. He lived here for two years, when he removed into a new frame building which he built on the same farm. This he occupied till 1849, when he purchased of the heirs his father's estate on the old State road, between Cham- pion and Rutland, where he died January 24, 1873. The children born to him were as fol- lows: Roena, who now resides at Natural Bridge, this county; Alfred. who died in 1858; Rachel, who resides in Wayne County; Clarissa, who lives in Pulaski, Oswego County; Gnilford. who resides in town; Lovica, who died in Chicago, Ill., in 1874; Erastus, who is a resident of

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this town; Chester, who resides on his father's homestead; and Jane S., who lives at Copen- hagen, Lewis County. Mr. Harris was a soldier of the War of 1812, and was a pensioner of that war at the time of his death. Mrs. Harris died in August, 1831, when their youngest child, Chester, was but one year old. He was again married in 1833, and his widow now sur- vives him.

Joseph Sanders was born in Halifax, Vt., whence he removed to the town of Champion about 1800. About 1804 he married Lucinda Fairman and located near Pleasant Lake, where he lived until 1817, when he removed to Wilna and settled on the farm now occupied by Edwin Cowan, where he died. He was captain of a company of militia and served in the War of 1812. He had 12 children, four of whom are now living, namely: Jared, at Natural Bridge, in Wilna; Lucinda (Mrs. Daniel Jackson), on Martin street, in Champion; Clarinda (Mrs. Abram Poole), in Kansas; and Orin F., in this town. Orin F. Sanders was born in Champion in 1809. In 1836 he married Mary, daughter of William Sarvay, by whom he had four chil- dren, namely: Mary (Mrs. Germain Tallman), of Orleans; Annette (Mrs. J. H. Phelps), of Champion; Louisa (Mrs. Sidney S. Richards), of Newark, N. Y .; and Melvina, who died young. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Amanda Parker, by whom he had a daughter, Cynthia, who married Eugene Graves, of Champion. For his third wife he married Mrs. Merab Lewis. Mr. Sanders is a farmer, and a Republican in politics.

Edson Sanders, son of Joseph, was born in Champion in 1807, but spent most of his life in Wilna. He married Phebe Ivory and located on the farm now owned by Mr. Sarvay. He was also engaged iu mercantile pursuits for about 25 years, and served as assessor several years. Of his four children, three are living, namely: Alsina (Mrs. William H. White), of Denmark; Lucinda (Mrs. Chester B. Hammond), of Lowville; and Roselle, of West Carthage. Roselle Sanders was born in Wilna, April 27, 1840. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 10th N. Y. H. A., and served until February 28, 1865. He was wounded in the right leg by a shell June 16, 1864, in front of Petersburg, and again July 8, 1864, in the right ankle, from which he has since been disabled, and now draws a pension. He married, first, Louisa, daughter of William Lamb, of Wilna, by whom he had a son, William E., who is attending school at Lowville. He married, second, Sarah A., daughter of Joseph Hewitt, of Denmark, who died September 12, 1887.

William Hadsall came from Washington County to Champion in 1800, and located on the farm on road 23 now occupied by his grandson, A. W. Hadsall, where he took up 200 acres of wood land. He died in 1813, leaving a family of 10 children. Solomon, son of William, bought the homestead farm, and here resided until his death in 1871. He married Ann Munson, and they had six children, five of whom attained maturity and four are living, namely: Thomas, in Champion; A. W., in Black River village; Delia A. (Mrs. C. A. Clark), in Carthage, Dakota; and Ambrose S., in Wilmington, Ill.

Richard Lewis, a native of Wales, located in Rhode Island, and from him sprung the fam ily of that name who settled in Champion. Col. Arnold Lewis located in this town about 1800 and took up a tract of 700 acres, a portion of which is the N. J. Fuller farm. Nicholas, son of Arnold, came here in 1804 and occupied until his death the farm now owned by L. J. Fuller. He had two children, Robea and Abel P. The latter was born in Galway, Saratoga County, in 1800. He married Mary, daughter of Stephen Stoddard, and occupied the homestead until 1858. In 1861 he removed to the town of Rutland to reside with his son William I., where he died February 12, 1888. His wife died in 1858. They had 13 children, 11 of whom survive, namely: Nieholas P., of Canton, N. Y .; John S., of Watertown; Robea B. (Mrs. L. Muzzy); Elizabeth (Mrs. B. V. Hinds); William I., of Black River; Cordelia M. (Mrs. E. J. Pennock); Mary A. (Mrs. C. II. Cross), of Philadelphia; Prudence M. (Mrs. R. H. Olley); Emma A., of Philadelphia; Henry M., of Watertown; and L. Candace (Mrs. G. C. Wood). Arnold Lewis served in the French and Indian war seven years, and in the Revolutionary war the same length of time, and held a colonel's commission. He was a surgeon during the war, and after its close became a preacher in the Baptist Church. He died in 1824. Easeek, better known as "'Squire " Lewis, came to Champion with his father, Arnold, and was one of the prominent men of the town in the early days. He was justice of the peace 40 years and supervisor several terms. He married Hannah Springer, by whom he had six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to maturity and were married. Seven of their children are now living. namely: Benajalı A., in Denmark, N.Y., aged 86 years; Nicholas J .. in Lewis eounty; Rackey L.(Mrs. Will-

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iam P. Babcock), on the old homestead; Sabra Ann (Mrs. D. Townsend), in Michigan; R. F .. in Croghan, Lewis County; La Fayette D., in West Carthage; and Mary J. (Mrs. Joel Odell), in Champion.

William Campbell came from New Hampshire to Washington County, and thence to the town of Champion about 1800, locating on a farm, corner of roads 51 and 52, where his grand- son, William A. Campbell, now lives. He kept a hotel here several years. He married Easter Fletcher, by whom he had seven children. John, son of William, was born in 1804. He mar- ried Minerva Campbell, and they resided on the old homestead. He had five children, of whom two are living, namely: Myra (Mrs. J. R. Agens), of Denmark, Lewis County, and William A., mentioned above. The latter married Harriet, daughter of William Vrooman, of Denmark, and they have three sons and two daughters, namely: Nettie C., Arthur H., Myra S., Berney, and Homer.

Peter Crowner, the progenitor of those of that name now residing in Jefferson County, settled in Champion about 1803 or '04, on the farm now owned by Josiah Phelps. He reared' a large family, and numerous of his descendants now reside in the county.

John McNitt came from Salem, Mass., in 1803 or 1804, and settled on what is now known as. Stonewall street. He took up 160 acres, and here resided until his death. He had nine chil- dren, all of whom are deceased. Noah, son of John, born in 1794, married Laura, daughter of Joel Hubbard, of Champion, and resided on the homestead the greater part of his life. He was a great lover of horses, and was a successful breeder of these noble animals. He was a dele- gate to the convention at Watertown which organized the Republican party in this county, and was until the time of his death a prominent worker in that party. He had eight children, seven of whom attained maturity and six are living, namely: Sarah J. (Mrs. C. C. Ingraham. of Carthage; Ambrosia (Mrs. Guilford Harris), of Champion; Frances I .. who resides in this town with her brothers; Julia E. (Mrs. A. O. Babcock), of Brooklyn, N. Y .; E. H. and F. H., who reside in this town on road 63, and are engaged in farming and stock raising. E. H. mar- ried Sarah C. Knowles, dangliter of Russell K., and they have a daughter, Cornelia. F. H. married Phebe C., daughter of Simeon Ingraham, and they have two daughters, viz .: Ellen A. (Mrs. E. P. Sage), of Champion, and Laura M. (Mrs. W. F. Carpenter), of Antwerp.

Joseph Peek came here from Connecticut about 1803 or '04. He located upon the farm now occupied by Emerson Peck. He served seven years in the Revolutionary war. Four sons and three daughters were born to him, only one of whom, Mrs. Lydia Stevens, survives, and resides in Michigan. Joseph Peck, Jr., was born in 1794. He married, first. Sally, daughter of Thomas Francis, and located upon the farm now owned by his son John F. He had born to him four sons and one daughter. His second wife was Martha S., daughter of Solomon Hopkins, of Champion. Mr. Peek was a soldier of the War of 1812. John F. Peck, son of Joseph, Jr .. was born September 22, 1824, and in 1855 married Emily A., daughter of Thomas Gordon, by whom he has four children, namely: Emily A. (Mrs. W. E. Pennock), J. Floyd, John G., a teacher in Lowville, and Ernest F. Mr. Peck was supervisor of this town in 1868, and in 1875 represented the first Assembly district in Jefferson County in the state legislature. He is now successfully engaged in farming.

Stoel Warner, son of Matthew, was born in Mansfield, Conn., in 1774. He came to Cham- pion in 1803, and received a deed of a tract of land from Henry Champion. In 1805 he married Anna, daughter of Abel and Elizabeth Crandall, of Champion, and located upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, Elizur C. Warner. He was a wagonmaker and car- penter, and built a great many barns in this town. He was supervisor in 1818-20, and jus- tice of the peace several years. He died September 5, 1828. He had one son and two daughters, namely: Fanny, who married Joel A. Hubbard in 1829; Edna S., who married Elizur Canfield in 1835, and now resides in Copenhagen, N. Y .; and Matthew S. The latter was born in 1814, and in 1837 married Charlotte, daughter of Alvin and Nancy Loomis, and settled on the homestead. He had three children, namely: Laura A. (Mrs. A. J. Colvin), who died in 1873; Matthew S., Jr., also deceased: and Elizur C. The latter was born September 15, 1853, and in 1878 married Bessie E., daughter of Allen and Huldah Merrill, and settled on the old homestead with his mother, where he now resides. He has a daughter, Minnie, born in 1882.

Peletiah Hall, who served in the War of 1812, came with his brother Roland to Cham- pion about 1803. He worked out for a few years, when he bought the farm on road 53 now

23*

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owned by his son Porter. Here he resided until 1847, when he removed to Champion village, where he died in 1864. He married Abul, daughter of Thomas Crook, by whom he had six chil- dren, namely: Chauncey, who died in Philadelphia; Ferdinand, who died in Champion; Onias, who resides at Dodge Center, Minn .; William, of Martinsburg, N. Y .; and Porter and L. A., of this town. L. A. Hall was born May 16, 1829. He married Achsah L., daughter of George Shepard, of Turin, N. Y., in 1857, and in 1863 located upon the farm on road 40, which he now occupies. He has one son, Charles B. Politically Mr. Hall has always been a Democrat.

Asa Harris came to Champion in 1803, and located on the farm now occupied by Chester Harris. He was a major of militia and served in the War of 1812. He married Rachel Farr and they had 10 children, equally divided as to sex, of whom three are living: Mrs. Rachel Loomis, of Champion; Morgan L., of New York city; and Amanda (Mrs. Riley Andrus), of Texas.

Solomon Hopkins was born February 17, 1778. He came from South Kingston, R. I., to Champion in 1803, and located on the farm on Martin street now owned by his son Joel R. He took up a tract of 50 acres, to which he added by purchase, making a farm of 123 acres. He was an upright and well-known citizen, was school commissioner several terms, and also assessor and highway commissioner. His second wife was Levina, sister of Capt. J. P. Rice, by whom he had eight children, five sons and three daughters, three of whom are living, namely: Hiram B. and David W., who reside in Rundell's, Pa., and Joel R., of Champion. The latter was born April 9, 1819, on the farm where he now resides. He married, first, Harriet C., daughter of Oren Brown, who died in 1851. He married, second, Prudence H., daughter of Peter Swinburne, of Denmark, N. Y., by whom he has four children, namely: S. D., a lawyer, who is engaged in mining in Colorado; J. S., a physician in New York city; J. L., also a physician in New York; and J. Lulu (Mrs. W. S. McCallister), of Carthage. Mr. Hopkins was a school teacher in his younger days, but has spent most of his life-time in farming.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 50

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