Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 54

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 54

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John Oades commenced building for E. G. Merick & Co. and Fowler & Esselstyn in 1841, and built the schooners St. Lawrence, John Oades, D. N. Barney, Superior, Invincible, New York, Quebec, America, Flying Cloud, Sovereign of the Lakes, Northern Light, White Cloud, Northerner, Sky Lark, Republic, Clayton, Amelia, Adriatic, Northern Belle, Dashing Wave, Mon- ticello, Adirondack, Radiant, Clayton Belle, M. F. Merrick, Montana, Kear- sarge, and others, and the steamers Niagara, Cataract, Ontario, Bay State, New York, Jenny Lind, British Empire, British Queen, Midge, and Widgeon.

Thomas Rees built the schooner Mountaineer, and Harrison Persons the schooner Marshfield. In 1863 John Oades built the schooner Portland for A. F. Barker. In 1867 John Cantwell built the schooner F. D. Barker, and in 1868 Simon G. Johnston built the schooner Hoboken for A. F. Barker. Simon G. Johnston commenced building for Fowler & Esselstyn in 1854, and built the schooners Greyhound, Eagle Wing, Watchful, Mediator, Sen- ator, Snow Bird, Brooklyn, Montpelier, Montcalm, Montgomery, Montmorency, Mont Blanc, Irene, L. B. Stone, Scud, William Home, Hattie Johnson, Henry Falger, and Black Diamond. He also built the steamers T. S. Faxton, H. S. Johnston, and Island Belle.

Mr. Johnston is the only one now engaged in ship building at Clayton, Messrs. John Oades and Fowler & Esselstyn having removed to Detroit, Mich. The St. Lawrence River Skiff, Canoe, and Steam Launch Company has recently been organized, and the company will continue the business of Dr. Bain in the building of skiffs, and will also include small steamboats During the last few years Mr. Johnston has built several steam yachts.

Hough's History of St. Lawrence County is authority for the statement that in 1799 there was a single log hut in this town, probably that of some lum- ber thieves, who plundered the frontier without restraint or limit during many years before any one appeared to show title. Mr. Nathan Ford, the pioneer of Ogdensburg, in a letter to Samuel Ogden on this subject, dated December 27, 1799, wrote :-

"There are several persons now cutting timber upon the two upper townships. I have no authority to say anything about the matter; but vast injury will take place upon the town- ships, and if there are not measures taken immediately, not less than 30,000 or 40,000 staves, over and above the square timber which is now getting, that will be taken off. Mr. Wilkins took down the names of several who pretended to settle; their motive was only stealing off the timber. The thing is now working as I told him would be the case, and if something is not done about this business great destruction will arise. An example ought to be made, and

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this can not be done without sending an officer from Fort Stanwix. They have got the timber so boldly that they say there is no law that can be executed npon them here."

The first permanent settlement in this town was commenced in 1801 or 1802, by a Mr. Bartlett, at a place called Bartlett Point, about a mile above Clayton village, at the mouth of French Creek. The point has recently been surveyed and laid out for summer homes, and is known as Prospect Park. Bartlett had been placed here by Smith and Delamater, land agents at Chaumont, to keep a ferry to Gananoque, but after staying a year or two set fire to his house, as tradition says, and ran away by its light.

In the winter of 1803-04 Smith and Delamater undertook the erection of a saw-mill, near the mouth of Wheeler Creek, upon which it was built. The expense attending this measure embarrassed them considerably, and contrib- uted to their subsequent failure.

In 1816 Nathaniel Norton, Jr., who had previously been a merchant at Russia, N. Y., came as agent for C. H. and E. Wilkes, owners of 12,000 acres on Penet's Square, and adjoining the present village of Depauville .* Soon after David and Nathaniel Holbrook came to the falls, and with their father, under a contract of Alexander Le Ray, the agent of Depau, erected a rude apology for a grist-mill, but upon failure of payment the premises were sold in 1824 to Stephen Johnson and Peter Martin, who had located as mer- chants and lumbermen. At this time there were but two or three log houses and the rude mills where Depauville now is.

In 1817 Phineas Osborn, father of Thomas S., Schuyler, and Phineas A. Osborn, came in from Herkimer County and settled about three miles north- west of Depauville, on what is known as Elm Flat. In 1818 Jerry Carter came in and settled near Clayton Center. He came with his father, who was a great hunter, and told marvelous tales connected with his hunting expedi- tions. In 1819 James D. Gloyd came in with his father, Amos, from Ver- mont, and settled on lot No. 39. In 1820 Adam Fry came from Denmark, Lewis County, and settled in this town. Gaylord Enos came in from Her- kimer County in 1824, his first purchase of land being 50 acres from Depau. The first justice of the peace in the town was Gurdon Caswell.

Grindstone Island is one of the largest of the Thousand Islands, being more than five miles in length and from two to three in width. This island, with many others, was claimed by the St. Regis Indians at an early day, and leased by their agent to British subjects for a long term of years. Upon survey of the boundary in 1818 they were found to belong to our govern- ment, and in 1823, upon these islands being patented by the state, in pursu- ance with an agreement with Macomb, difficulties arose that threatened for a time to result in serious measures, and which have been known locally as the War of Grindstone Island. A quantity of pine timber had been cut and prepared for rafting, which was claimed by the patentee, but was refused

* His power of attorney is dated June 20, IS20.

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to be given up by those in possession. Finding it probable that any attempt to serve legal papers upon the parties alleged to be trespassers would be re- sisted, a detachment of militia from Lyme, under Capt. S. Green, was called out. The timber had mostly been passed over into British waters, and after some firing the party in charge of the timber dispersed. One of the militia men was accidentally killed by the discharge of his own gun. The question subse- quently became a subject of litigation, and was finally settled by arbitration. The first court on Grindstone Island was held April 30, 1889, when S. H. Slate, justice of the peace, was called upon to investigate a charge of assault and battery between two women, sisters-in-law, whose husbands were em- ployed in the quarries at Thurso. The defendant in the case was fined $30, which was paid.

The islands in this vicinity have many associations connected with the War of 1812, and affairs growing out of the Patriot movement, which are de- tailed in the County Chapter. During the embargo period of 1808 the old French road, that had been cut through from the High Falls to the river at this point, became a thoroughfare for teams laden with potash, and this con- traband trade continued with comparative impunity till the commercial re- striction was removed.

CHURCHES.

The Freewill Baptist Church, of Depauville, was organized March 20, 1820, by Amasa Dodge, the first pastor, with 15 members. The primi- tive structure in which the society first worshiped was built of logs, in 1820, and was the first house of worship in the town of which we have any record. In 1835 the present stone structure was built at a cost of $3,000. It will comfortably seat 250 persons, and is valued, including grounds and other property, at $8,000. The society now has a membership of 65, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Barton G. Blaisdell. The Sunday-school has a mem- bership of eight teachers and So scholars.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Depauville .- A Methodist class was or- ganized at Depauville as early as 1821, and it is mentioned as one of the 23 appointments in the old Black River district, and within the Genesee Annual Conference, in 1822. The society was organized November 25, 1834, with Martin Spicer, Abel F. Low, Caleb Closson, Wareham P. Case, and Timothy O'Connor, trustees. Meetings were at first held in pri- vate dwellings, and in the old frame school-house. The present church edi- fice was erected in 1851, at a cost of about $3,000, and was dedicated by Rev. A. J. Phelps. The present value of church property, including build- ing and grounds, is $6,500. The present membership is 150, and Rev. Leroy Grant is the pastor. The Sunday-school has 25 teachers and 88 scholars.

The Second Methodist Episcopal Church of Clayton, located on the corner of John and Jane streets, in Clayton village, was organized October 5, 1840,

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by Rev. Hiram Shepard and seven trustees, with eight members. The first pastor was Rev. Benjamin Phillips, who was succeeded by Rev. Hiram Shep- ard. The first church edifice, the present wood structure, was built as a union church by the Methodists and Baptists in 1840, at an original cost of $4,000. In 1846 the present society purchased the Baptists' interest in the building, which will comfortably seat 350 persons and is valued, including grounds and other church property, at $11,000. The present membership is 155, under the pastoral charge of Rev. S. O. Barnes. The Sunday-school has a membership of 18 teachers and 175 scholars.

The First Baptist Church of Clayton, located on John street, in Clayton village, was organized October 6, 1840, by five trustees, and at its organiza- tion consisted of 17 members. The first pastor was Rev. E. G. Blount. The church edifice was erected of wood in 1850, at a cost of $2,000. It will comfortably seat 250 persons, and its present value, including grounds and other church property, is $3,500. The present membership of the church is 50, under the pastoral care of Elder Thompson. The Sunday-school has a membership of 11 teachers and 75 scholars.

Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, located in Clayton village, was organ- ized in 1868, by the rector, wardens, and vestry, and at its organization consisted of 10 members. The first rector was Rev. H. R. Lockwood (now D. D.), present rector of St. Paul's Cathedral, Syracuse. Their house of worship was erected in 1869 at a cost of $10,000. It is built with a stone basement and brick superstructure, will comfortably seat 250 persons, and is valued, including grounds and other church property, at about $12,000. The church now has 60 communicants, and Rev. J. E. Walton is the rector. The Sunday-school has 13 teachers, and about 60 or 70 scholars.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church, located in the eastern part of the town, was organized in 1880, with Rev. Samuel Bean as the first pastor. Rev. W. J. Merle, of Orleans, is the present pastor. The Sunday- school as a membership of five teachers and about 50 scholars.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, located on James street in Clayton village, was organized in 1838 by Rev. Francis Gouth, the first pastor, and at its organization had 15 families in its parish. Occasional services were held by missionaries in private dwellings and in the school-house some years prior to the regular organization of the church. The first house of worship was erected in 1841 or '42. The present elegant stone structure was commenced in 1885, was dedicated December 11, 1889, and cost about $23,000. The exterior of the church presents a fine appearance, and the interior is appropriately furnished and decorated. The aggregate cost of the three marble altars was about $1,250. The church will seat 1,200 persons, and is valued, including grounds and other property, at $25,000. The present number of families in the parish is 300, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Edward G. Brice.

cuker

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ALDEN F. BARKER.

Alden Farnsworth Barker, the subject of this sketch, was born October 21, 1822, in the town of Walden, Caledonia County, Vermont-a town nestled among the Green Mountains. He was the eldest of nine children-five sons and four daughters. His parents were descended from English stock, and were as rugged and hardy as the hills that witnessed the birth of these children. Here young Alden passed his early boyhood, doing chores on the home- stead and going to the district school at odd intervals, until 1833, when II years of age, he went to the village of Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, this state, to work on his father's farm of 60 acres, of that place, and the following year he went to the town of Potsdam, same county, to live with Aaron Eddy, and in May, 1837, moved with Mr. Eddy to Clayton and was clerk in the grocery store of A. & L. Eddy, of that place, until 1842, when, with his savings aggregating the modest sum of $100, and the credit obtained through strict honesty and sober and industrious habits, he purchased the stock of that firm, and thus may be said to have got his first start in his business career.

In August, 1844, he married Laura D. Smith, who was then teaching a district school in the town of Clayton, and a daughter of the late Hon. Ben- jamin Smith, of Russell, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Three sons and one daughter have been the issue of this marriage, all of whom are now living in Clayton.

Henry S. Barker, the eldest son, is engaged in the mercantile trade at that place. Seymour B. Barker, next youngest, is secretary of the Thousand Island Steamboat Company, and is engaged also in the vessel business. Frank D. Barker, the youngest son, is an alumnus of the Syracuse Univer- sity and the Albany Law School, and occupies the position of deputy collec- tor of customs at Clayton, to which office he was appointed in October, 1885, under President Cleveland's administration. Celinda, the daughter and youngest child, is married to Solon H. Johnson, only son of the Hon. James Johnson, of Clayton.

Mr. Barker continued in the grocery trade at the old stand known as the " Cataract House," on Water street, until 1845, when he, together with A. & L. Eddy, put up the building now known as the " Hayes House," and con- ducted the business with them until 1847, when he built a store of his own and carried on a general merchandise business in this building until it was destroyed by the great fire of August, 1853, but this was replaced by a brick structure the following year, and which is still standing. In 1856 he formed a partnership with Simeon D. Fobes, then a clerk in the store, and contin- ued this relationship up to the year 1860, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Barker continuing the business, together with other and larger inter- ests, up to the year 1873, when he was succeeded by his sons, H. S. and S. B. Barker.

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In 1856 Mr. Barker purchased his first interest in vessels, engaging in the. grain trade on the chain of lakes between Chicago and Ogdensburg. Dur- ing the years 1863, 1867, and 1868, respectively, and while having an interest in other vessels, he built at Clayton the schooners Portland, Frank D. Barker, and Hoboken, and continued in the business up to the year 1887.

But the enterprise with which Mr. Barker's name is most prominently as- sociated, and with which the interests and prosperity of his town have been most closely connected, was the building of the Clayton and Theresa Railroad. The bonding of the several towns along the line for this project was com- menced in 1871, but on account of the strong opposition made by many of the taxpayers it was only accomplished after a hard fought and closely con- tested struggle. But the organization of the Clayton and Theresa Railroad Co. was effected that year with Mr. Barker as president, and Russell B. Biddlecom, of the town of Orleans, as secretary and treasurer, which respective offices these gentlemen held until the road was merged into that of the Utica and Black River Railroad in 1885. The building of the road was commenced soon after the towns were bonded and was pushed forward with great vigor, and was completed in October, 1873, but only after many formidable obsta- cles had been overcome.

An appeal had been taken from the decision of Judge Sawyer (then county judge), that the several towns along the line had taken all the necessary steps to qualify them to issue bonds in aid of the construction of this road ; and while this appeal was pending the bonds, which nevertheless had been issued, had no market value. As it was necessary to realize on these bonds to buy the iron and carry the project forward, Mr. Barker bought $25,000 of them with his own means, and thus enabled the company to carry on the work to a successful termination. It is not too much to say that while this road, which has been the great source of the prosperity of the towns of Clayton and Orleans for the past 17 years, would have ultimately been built in the then distant future, its building would have undoubtedly been many years postponed had it not been for the indomitable pluck and perse- verance, the untiring labors and generous support of Alden F. Barker and his able coadjutor, Russell B. Biddlecom.

In 1873 he, together with S. G. Johnston and L. A. Holt, built the steamer T. S. Faxton for the excursion business on the St. Lawrence, and in 1877 they built the steamer Island Belle to run between Cape Vincent and Alexandria Bay in connection with trains on the R., W. & O. Railroad at Cape Vincent. In 1884 Mr. Barker associated himself with the Folger Brothers, of Kings- ton, Canada, in building the magnificent steamer St. Lawrence, to take the place of the Island Belle, and an organization was effected under the name of the " Thousand Island Steamboat Company," which still owns this steamer with several others, controlling as it does most of the steamboat traffic on the river. Mr. Barker is at present vice-president of this company. Prior to 1 876 Clayton had had no bank, but that year Mr. Barker formed a partner-

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ship with R. P. Grant and conducted a private bank, styled the Bank of Clay- ton, Mr. Barker being the president and Mr. Grant, cashier, and continuing the same to January, 1883, when it was organized into a state bank and with the same officers. In July of the following year Mr. Barker sold his interest in the bank, and in December following organized a private bank known as the " Citizens' Bank" and conducted the same to October, 1887, when he organized the " First National Bank of Clayton," with over 70 stockholders and a capital of $50,000, and with himself as president ; William Rees, vice-president; H. W. Morse, cashier; and A. A. Warner, assistant cashier, who are the present officers of the bank. It is doing a large and profitable busi- ness, and is now counted one of the leading financial institutions of the county. Mr. Barker is also a trustee of the Jefferson County Savings Bank. Thus this account of Mr. Barker's long and successful business career is largely the history of the village of Clayton.

In politics Mr. Barker has always been an ardent Democrat, casting his first vote for James K. Polk for President in 1844. He has uniformly de- clined office, and has only accepted a nomination when he knew his party was in a hopeless minority. He was nominated for member of Assembly in 1866, but declined the nomination, although he could have undoubtedly been elected. He has always encouraged home enterprise, and has contributed largely of his efforts and means to that end. He built the large three story brick block on Water street, and his large brick residence on John street, recently completed to take the place of the one destroyed by the great fire of 1887, is one of the handsomest in the county.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Warren Hall, son of Benjamin and grandson of George, was born in West Greenwich, N. Y., whenee he removed to Jefferson County and located at Stone Mills, in February, 1815. He subsequently located on a farm, on road 6, in this town, where he died in 1879, aged 88 years. He married Martha, daughter of Joshua Rogers, of Greenwich, and their children were Norman, Lonisa, Hiram, Benjamin, Phebe M., Warren, Polly M., Hannalı, George, Joseplı W., and Henry. Henry Hall, who was a native of Clayton, married Mina, daughter of Christopher and Margaret (Petrie) West, of Cape Vincent, by whom he has four children- Clara E., Delia E., Phebe M., and Henry W. He is a farmer, and occupies the homestead on road 6. Joshua Rogers, mentioned before, served in the Revolutionary war and was murdered at Brownville, in 1826. aged 50 years. Following is a copy of the marriage certificate of Ben- jamin Hall :-

"I hereby sertify that Benjamin Hall Son to George Hall and Mary Sweet Daughter to William Sweet dead both of west Greenwich was Lawfully Joyned together in marriage by me. "west greenwieh 7th of october 1790

"ELIJAH GREEN Elder."

John Norton, son of Nathaniel, who was an officer in the Revolutionary war, was born on Long Island, and from there removed to Herkimer County. He came to Clayton in 1816, and was the first settler on a farm on road 89, known as the Norton farm, where he died in 1844, aged 73 years. His wife, Hannah King, died in Herkimer County. Of their three children, John, Jr., was born in Herkimer County in 1798, and eame to Clayton with his father, from Brownville. in 1816, their only guide being " blazed " trees. His wife, Susan Smith, of Nor- way, N. Y., daughter of David and Susannah (Hathaway) Smith, was born in 1800. They were married in 1823. and their children were Maryetta. David, 1st, David, 2d. Isaac S., Lucena,

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Eliza, Irene, and George A., born July 25, 1841. Lucena, Eliza, and George A. still reside in Clayton, on the farm settled by their grandfather.

Anthony Atwood, a native of Vermont, was one of the early settlers of Clayton. He came here in 1817 and located at Depanville, where he resided until his death. At the time of bis settlement here there were no houses where the village of Clayton now is. His wife, Polly, bore him six children, viz .: Isaac, Chandler, Olive, Cynthia, Zilla, and Coville. Isaac Atwood was born in Vermont and came to Clayton with his father. He married Luthera Stetson, and their children are Janette, Charles, James L., and Montreville W. The latter, who was born in Clayton, married Emma, daughter of Isaac and Adaline (Hudson) Cleveland, of this town, and they have a daughter, Adaline. James L. Atwood married Arvilla, daughter of Francis Dodge, and their children are Celia and Isaac. He is a hardware merchant in company with his brother Montreville W., and has been in business since 1879.

Aaron Kittle, a native of Pennsylvania, was one of the early settlers of Clayton, on Grind- stone Island. He died on Sir John's Island, Canada, in 1871, at an advanced age. He married Sarah, daughter of Christopher and Sarah (Shepard ) Rusho, of Landsdown, Canada, by whom he had the following children: David, James, Charles, Mary, Esther, Jane, Maria, and Nancy. David Kittle was born on Grindstone Island in 1818. He married Malida, daughter of John and Filinda (Crawford) Stoliker, of Gananoque, Canada, and their children are Lewis, Hat- tie, and Sarah. Mr. Kittle has occupied his present farm on road 1, on Grindstone Island, for 31 years. He was the first settler on this farm.

Elkanah Corbin, a native of Russia, N. Y., came to Clayton in 1818, and died here in 1864, aged 75 years. He married Lucy A. Clark, and their children were Simon J., Ira H., Melzer, Irving, and Alanson C. The latter was born in the town of Russia, and when seven years of age came to Clayton with his parents. He married Eliza, daughter of Elijah and Betsey (Howe) Bowe, of Troy, N. Y., who bore him 10 children, viz .: Elizabeth, Lucy A., Caroline, Harriet, Ellen, Flora, Emily, Salomia, Sherman, and James H. The latter, who was born in Clayton, married Caroline A., daughter of Calvin and Zaire A. (Romain) Guiteau, of Cape Vincent, and their children are Carrie I., Harry C., Herman J., and Ernest W. Mr. Corbin is a market gardener.

John Putnam, a native of Vermont, and a descendant of General Israel Putnam, resided in Clayton many years. He died in Mexico, Oswego County, aged 80 years. He had three children, Parley, Polly, and Asa. Parley Putnam was born in Herkimer County, and in 1818 located in Clayton, where he died in 1883, aged 84 years. He married Prudence Allen, of Herkimer County, and they had 11 children, namely: Harriet, John, Amasa S., Caroline, Ann, Albert H., Alvin, Sophronia, Alfred, Alvira, and Amon T. The latter, who was born in Clay- ton, married, first, Eliza A., daughter of Potter and Nancy (Hart) Sheldon, by whom he had a daughter, Georgianna, and second, Harriet, adopted daughter of Isaac and Mary (Babcock) Carter, by whom he has two children, Nettie A. and Clarence A. He is a farmer on road 51, where he has resided 36 years. Albert H. was born in Clayton, where he married Susan, dangh- ter of John and Magdalen (Consaul) Lingenfelter, July 29, 1883, and they have three children. Gilbert J., Almeda, and Maggie M. He resides in Clayton on the homestead farm, on read 53,

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 54

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