Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 97

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 97

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).

Rev. David Spear was born in Rupert, Vt., in June, 1781. He was converted to Christ at the age of 14 years, and at once commenced a course of study preparatory for the ministry, being licensed to preach the gospel May 27. 1807. The studies of Mr. Spear were pursued

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

under the supervision of Rev. John B. Preston, and at his house, July 13, 1808, in West Rupert, Vt., a committee of consociation assembled for the purpose of examining and ordaining him for his life work. He immediately commenced a missionary tour to Jefferson County, and on the second Sabbath in August, 1808, his labors commenced, and were equally divided between Rodman and Adams. In September, 1809, Mr. Spear was installed as permanent pastor of the Rodman Congregational Church, in which capacity he continued for more than 50 years. During his pastorate here about 53 were added to the church, and it is estimated that he preached not less than 1,500 funeral sermons. Mr. Spear was greatly beloved by his people, whom he served so faithfully and long. In February, 1810, he married Mary Roberts, who was born in Stillwater, N. Y., in 1787. They celebrated their "golden wedding" at their home in Rodman, February 1, 1860, on which occasion they were presented with a bountiful donation. Mrs. Spear died January 23, 1865, aged 78 years. Her venerable husband survived until No- vember 13, 1868, in his 88th year. His last days were spent with an only and widowed daugh- ter at Mannsville, in the town of Ellisburgh.

Jesse and Noah Merwin came from Connecticut about the year 1808, and first settled in Lewis County, where they resided for 22 years, when Jesse removed to this town and purchased the farm formerly occupied by Deacon Dodge, about three miles east of the village of Rod- man. About five years later Noah followed and bought a farm of Daniel Staplin, located near his brother. In 1854 Jesse purchased a place two miles nearer the village of Rodman, near the little hamlet of Zoar, and here resided until his death, in June, 1862, at the age of 78 years. Mr. Merwin married Rebecca Morris, of Wilbraham, Mass., in 1811, and they had children as follows: Sylenda Talcott, died young. Betsey, died young, Talcott, Mary, Fanny, Miles, and Harriet R. Mrs. Merwin died in 1862, aged 77 years. Noah Merwin occupied the farm pur- chased of Mr. Staplin until his death, January 2, 1866. He was twice married, first, to Sylenda Morris, of Wilbraham, Mass., who bore him one child, Nancy, and second, to Mary Carpenter, of Coventry, Conn., by whom he had six daughters, viz .: Mary, Ruth, and Eliza, who died in infancy; Candace, who died March 8, 1849; Mary M. (Mrs. Moody), who resides in the village of Rodman; and Cordelia, who resides with her sister Mary M.

Hon. Nathan Strong, son of Thomas and Phebe (Seward) Strong, and a descendant of Elder John Strong, of Northampton, Mass., came from Whitestown, N. Y .. to Rodman, in 1810, and purchased a large farm and grist-mill, which he conducted until his death, in 1841. He served as justice of the peace from 1811 until 1824, was postmaster from 1816 until 1841. su- pervisor from 1815 until 1830, and again in 1838, and was a member of Assembly in 1832. He was for many years the principal man in the town, and to him was referred many controversies among his neighbors, which he amicably settled. He was married and had six children. Herman Strong, son of Nathan, was born in 1802. He married, first, Mary S. MeKinstry, and they had four children. He married, second, Sarah Ann Millard. His first wife died in 1851. Mr. Strong was engaged in farming from 1823 till 1861. He was supervisor in 1843, sheriff of the county from 1844 to 1847, and superintendent of the poor from 1861 till 1876. In 1861 he removed to Watertown, where he died in 1876. His son George B., who resides in Rodman, married Ordella M., daughter of Oren Buell, and they have a daughter, Mary E.

Alvin Eastman came from Rutland, Vt., to Rodman in 1810, and settled in the southern part of the town, where he engaged in farming and kept a hotel in the early days. Of his six children, Herman was born in Rutland, Vt., and was 11 years old when he came with his par- ents to this town. When 29 years of age he married Laura, daughter of Joseph Parsons, and settled on the farm now owned by his son H. L., where he died in 1886. Of his six children, five are living, namely: Herman L .; Laura L. (Mrs. Thomas Remington), of Ellisburgh; Mary A. (Mrs. Florello Clark), also of Ellisburgh; Helen M. (Mrs. William Hitchcock ), of Rodman; and Louis P., of Ottumwa Junction, Iowa.

Asa Hill removed from Massachusetts to Oneida County, and thence to Rodman, with his wife, Katherine Davis, and three children, and took up a tract of wild land, upon which he erected a log house. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the town, and resided here the most of his life. He had three sons and eight daughters, of whom four daughters are living, viz .: Electa (Mrs. B. Yandes), of Adams; Arodyne (Mrs. William P. Ball). of Rutland; and Jean- nette, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Sophronia Merwin, in Rutland.

Calvin P. Hill, son of Asa, was born in Bridgewater, Oneida Connty, in 1801, and came to Rodman with his parents in 1810. He married Miss Lois Wait, of Rensselaer County, in 1824,

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

and soon after located in Watertown. In 1829 Mr. Hill was appointed in the 14th Regt. Cav- alry of the state of New York, with rank from August 8, 1828, his commission being signed by Martin Van Buren and N. F. Beck as adjutant-general. In 1859 he located in East Rodman. Mr. Hill was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of its officers for many years. About the year 1870 he took up his residence in Watertown, where he died in 1880. The death of his wife occurred in 1875.

Orrin D. Hill, son of Calvin P. and Lois (Wait) Hill, was born in Watertown in 1827, and came to this town when 19 years old. In 1852 he married Martha M. Boynton, and settled on the farm on which he now lives. Mrs. Hill died October 4, 1884, and January 27, 1886, he married Emma A. Boynton, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Hill was assessor of this town for four years, at the end of which time, in 1873, he was elected supervisor, and again in 1874. Mr. Hill, though considerably past the meridian of life, is still very active in business. In early life he was a school teacher.

Mrs. Ruth Brown, widow of Samuel, came to this town with her parents, Daniel and Ruth Canfield, from Massachusetts, in June, 1812, the same month the war of that year was declared, since which time she has resided here. She was married in 1814 and has had six children, only two of whom are living, namely: James C., with whom she now resides, and Eunice R. (Mrs. Solomon Kellogg), of Worthville. Mrs. Brown, who is a pensioner of the War of 1812, is: 89 years of age, and still possesses much activity.

Michael Henstis removed from Warren, N. Y., to Rodman in 1810, and settled in the. northern part of the town, where he engaged in farming. He married Margaret Gardner, and their children were Hannah, John, Valariah, Ann, Annis, Michael, Jr., David, Elizabeth, Ruth, and Hugh. Mr. Heustis served as justice of the peace for many years, and was engaged in the mercantile business. He died in Rodman in 1849. David, son of Michael, was born June 10, 1812, and at the early age of 14 years was apprenticed to the blacksmiths' trade. He was employed by Behm Palmer for six years, and in 1833 bought the shop of Mr. Palmer and continued the business nearly 50 years. He also, during a portion of this time, conducted a carriage shop. He married Anna M. Hills, and their children were Helen M., who died at the age of 10 years; Emerette A., who died at the age of four years; and Benjamin F., who served in Co. B, 10th Regt. N. Y. H. A., was with the regiment during its entire service, and now resides in Lyons, N. Y.

Joseph Woodman, M. D., was born in the village of Salisbury, N. H., March 5, 1785. His father, Benjamin Woodman, was a farmer of limited means who found it difficult to rear and maintain his large and growing family upon the rugged hills of the Granite state. In 1808 he moved to Irasburg, Vt., where he continued in the occupation of farming. Joseph Woodman was then a young man of 22 years. He was educated in the common schools, and taught several terms before he was 24 years old. He also taught singing school. Soon after attaining his majority he commenced the study of medicine, and attended the medical school at Fairfield, N. Y. Graduating from that institution, he returned to Irasburg and prac- ticed until August, 1812, when war was declared and he turned his attention to military service. Leaving home he journeyed via Walden, Barre, and Stockbridge to Rutland, Vt., thence via Fort Ann and Saratoga to Johnstown, N. Y., and thence to Albany, where he was appointed surgeon's mate in the Scoharie regiment, commanded by Col. Rich. The regiment embarked at Schenectady and proceeded up the Mohawk as far as Utica, then marched by land to Sackets Harbor. The Doctor continued with the regiment six months, and was discharged February 22, 1813, but continued with them until March 17th, when he was appointed surgeon of the first regiment of the United States volunteers. He remained at Sackets Harbor as sur- geon until the War of 1812 closed. During the battle of Sackets Harbor he left his tent, minsket in hand, and fought in the ranks until his services were required to attend the wounded. While stationed here he made several trips to Oswego and Buffalo, and one to Detroit, the latter being then little more than a French trading post. After receiving his discharge paper, signed by Gen. Macomb, he, in company with an old army friend, Richard Goodell, went to the latter's home in Adams, where they remained some time resting from the cam- paign just closed. They then went to Whitesville, now East Rodman, on Sandy Creek. Whitesville was at that time a little hamlet of scarce a dozen houses. Among the principal men of the place was Elias Slocum, a merchant, who later became noted as the man who captured John Van Allstine, at Buffalo, the murderer of William Huddleston. Daniel Todd was another

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

representative man, a shoemaker; Peter Yandes, a merchant and farmer. In this village Dr. Woodman bought a house and lot and commenced the practice of his profession, being the first doctor to locate in Whitesville. His cotemporaries were Dr. Wood, five miles west of the village, and Dr. Converse Johnson, who lived six miles east. Dr. Woodman being a bachelor lic boarded for a time with Ebenezer Blackstone. January 16, 1816, Dr. Woodman was united in marriage to Sally Wright, sister of Mrs. Blackstone, by Rev. David Spear. The Doctor and wife began house-keeping, he continning his medical practice some time, teaching district school in the village or in Tylerville. Many and varied were the trying experiences of those pioneer people in that community. Pages might be filled with interesting incidents-some humorous, but often pathetic and painful. At this period (1816-17) occurred that memorable year known as the cold season. During these years heavy frosts occurred in midsummer, with flying snow and cold winds. Scarcely enough of the farmers' crops matured for their own subsistence, suffering and want prevailing where plenty and checrfulness had heretofore obtained.

It chanced one morning in June, 1818, Dr. Woodman was told by his wife that nothing remained in the house to eat but a few dry beans. Hearing this he quickly mounted his horse, and with his pill bags under him started to make the rounds of his patients. After visiting several he called at the house of Daniel Kinney, where he made known the condition of his family. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney were deeply tonched at his story, and although they had neigh- bors in the same plight Mrs. Kinney gave the Doctor a "rye 'n' injun " loaf of bread just drawn from the oven, a pillow case full of flour, and a small roll of butter, they having no meat of any kind in the house. After leaving Kinney's the Doctor visited a patient at Mr. Stillman's. Here he saw hanging in a plum tree the carcass of a sheep just slaughtered. Mr. Stillman told the Doctor he had promised a half dozen neighbors a piece of that sheep, but that he should surely have a part of it. Concluding his visit here Dr. Woodman mounted his horse for home, carrying in his arms bread, butter, mutton, sack of flour, and a small bag of salt, which his wife prepared, and their hunger was soon appeased. In 1827 Dr. Woodman sold his property in Whitesville and removed with his family to Pinckney, Lewis County, where he bought a small farm, his sons then being old enough to assist him in working it, while he still followed his profession. In 1837 he sold his farm, and with his wife and six ehildren emigrated to Oakland County, Mich., being 19 days on their journey from Sackets Harbor to Detroit. Arriving at Novi, Oakland County, he rented a log cabin, where he spent the sum- mer, following his profession, his sons working out by the day or month. In September he bought an 80-acre farm in Novi, to which he moved his family. He now commenced life again in a home of his own, on a partly cleared farm in a rich and fertile country. He resumed practice, but soon fell a victim to malarial fever, and died August 15, 1838.

Joseph Woodman was a man of strict and unswerving integrity, a kind husband and father, a regular attendant of the house of God, where for many years he led the singing. As a physician he was very successful and very popular, having a pleasing address, and a never- failing fund of humor, which brought cheer and encouragement to the sick-room. In politics he was a Democrat of the Jefferson-Jackson school, and voted for every Democratic President from the time he cast his first vote to his last for Martin Van Buren. Though in no sense an office-seeker, he acceptably filled varions offices of honor and trust, both in township and county. Dr. Woodman left a widow and six children, five sons and one daughter. The four eldest sons are living: the eldest, E. S. Woodman, is a lawyer in Northville, Mich. ; the second, William W., is a lawyer in Johnston Creek, Wis .; the next two brothers are farmers in Ionia County, Mich .; and are all well situated and honored citizens in their respective localities.

Jesse Spencer came from Steuben, Oneida County, to Rodman, about 1815, and settled on the farm now owned by Myron Babbitt, where he resided until his death. He had eight children. Hadley, son of Jesse, came here with his father. He married Sarah Clark, and resided upon the old homestead until his death. He had three children, Mary E. (Mrs. Myron Babbitt), Henry C., and Julia E. (Mrs. Oscar Eastman). Henry C. Spencer was born February 6, 1842. He enlisted in Co. F, 94th N. Y. Vols., was wounded in the leg in the second battle of Bull Run, and was discharged in February, 1863, by reason of his wound. In September, 1864, he reënlisted in Co. B, 10th N. Y. H. A., and was with the regiment until it was mustered out in 1865. In the last named year he married Caroline, daughter of Gardner Turner, of Worth, and has since resided in this town.

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

William Sill came from Lyme, Conn., to Jefferson County during the War of 1812. In 1815 he married Sophia Hopkins, of Rutland, and settled in Rodman village, where he carried on a general store until 1825, when he removed to Henderson and engaged in farming until 1836, in the latter year returning to Rodman, where he purchased a farm of E. Fuller, now owned by his son John S. Here he resided until his death in 1869. He had four children, namely: Mary M., John S., Edward, and Elizabeth. Mr. Sill served the town of Rodman as supervisor one term. John S., son of William, was born in Rodman, October 27, 1820. Hc married Arletta V. Winslow, daughter of William M., and settled on the homestead, where he has since resided. He has two sons, J. Sterling and William E.

Simeon Heath came from Hartford, N. Y., to Rodman among the early settlers, loeating upon a farm in the southern part of the town. He had born to him eight children. Jacob Heath, son of Simeon, was born in Washington County, N. Y., and in 1809 came with his wife, Dorcas Rathbun, and two children to this town, locating upon the farm now occupied by his son A. C., where he engaged in farming and carried on a cloth-dressing-mill and a saw-mill. He reared 10 children, all of whom survived their father, and six are now living in this town, namely: Lyman, Albert C., Amos, Charlotte (Mrs. Nathan Whitford), Celestine (Mrs. William Cleveland), and Mary A. (Mrs. William Glazier). One son, Oren, lives in Medina, N. Y. Mrs. Heath died in October, 1889, having attained the extreme age of 97 years.

Edward Whitford was born in 1778, and his wife, Polly Maxon, in 1781. They were married in 1799, and had born to them 12 children. All except three attained maturity and reared families. Mr. and Mrs Whitford came from Rensselaer County to Jefferson County in the spring of 1836, and occupied the same farm until their death. Both died in 1862. The only survivor of this large family is Edward W., who resides in Illinois. Albert S. Whitford, son of Edward, was born in 1818, and came to this county with his parents. He married Charlotte Heath, October 29, 1840, and they had one son, Albert O. H. Albert S. died January 29, 1844. aged 25 years. Albert O. H. was born December 17, 1842. He married Roseline S. Green, De- cember 18, 1865, by whom he has three children, Mary B., Edward A., and Bertha E.

Nathan, John, Job, Benjamin, William, and Bowen Wait, brothers, came from Vermont to this town among the early settlers. Bowen Wait married Polly Putnam, of Whitingham, Vt., and about 1816 settled near Unionville, where he followed the dual occupation of carpen- ter and millwright until his death. He had 11 children, 10 of whom attained maturity, namely: Adaline E., Martha J., Sabra R., Elon G., Almeron B., Mary M., Phebe J., Lydia C., Martin P., and Adelia A. Martin P. Wait was born in Rodman, September 11, 1831. In 1850 he married Mary E., daughter of Joseph Clark, of Lyme, and settled on road 42, where he built a saw-mill, which he conducted for about 30 years, when he sold out and removed to the farm where he now resides. Mr. Wait was road commissioner for eight years, and has built many of the bridges in the town. He has three children living, namely: Viola B., Nora A., and Burt P.

Syril Harrington, who served in the battle of Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812, was one of the early settlers of Rodman, where he resided until his death, in 1855, aged 72 years. His son Caleb married Hannah Whitney, of Three Mile Bay, and his children were Gustavus A. and Alvaro. The latter located in Sackets Habor in 1875. He married, first, Joanna Carley, of Parish, Oswego County, and they had four children. viz .: Adora. Adelbert. Minnie, and Hattie. By his second wife, Alice Merrill, of Dexter, he had four children, viz .: Leda and Sada, deceased, and Manly and Shelley, now living. Mr. Harrington served in Co. H, 121st N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged.

Dennis M. Wait, son of Benjamin, came to Rodman about 1817, when 18 years of age, and was apprenticed to learn the carpenter and joiners' trade, which was his ocenpation during the remainder of his life. He married Eunice, daughter of Reuben Smith, of Rodman, and settled on road 23, where the widow of Harlow B. Wait now lives, where he worked at his trade and was the principal carpenter in that locality. He had eight children, namely: Milo S., Ruth E. (Mrs. Miles Barrows), Mariette (Mrs. Franklin Toby), Charles M., Ermina E. (Mrs. G. E. Dean), Favoriat P. (Mrs. Eri Cooley), Wilfred D., and Harlow B. The latter married Nettie O., daughter of Gaius Oatman, of Adams, by whom he had a son, Harvey R. Har- low B. Wait was a prominent man in the town, and served as supervisor and road com- missioner.

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

Almanson Tibbitts was born in Monkton, Vt., and when a small boy came with a family named Thompson to Jefferson County, locating in the town of Lorraine about 1807. He located in Rodman about 1818. He married, first, Mary Moody, and second, Martha G., daughter of Timothy G. Seward. He had one daughter. Mary E., who married Reuben Z. Smith.

Roger Washburn came from Connectient to Rodman abont 1820, and settled in the south- ern part of the town, where he resided until his death. He married Betsey Ross, and they had nine children, of whom Alanson served as sergeant in Co. E, 18th N. Y. Cav. Levi. son of Roger, was born April 20, 1840. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 94th N. Y. Vols., and was with that gallant regiment until March, 1864, when he was discharged. In 1863 he was commissioned second lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, and other minor engagements. In 1881 he married Ella L., daughter of Hiram Herring, and now resides in Rodman village, where he holds the office of postmaster and carries on a fannery.

John Shearer, son of William, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, whence he emi- grated with his father to America in June, 1849, and in July following located in the town of Wilna. In 1853 he married Ellen S. Dean, and in 1858 located in Rodman village, where he now resides, He is a farmer, and a member of the Congregational Church.

Daniel Smith, from Columbia County, N. Y., located in Hounsfield about 1804 or '05, at the locality known as Camp's Mills, where he erected a saw-mill, which he conducted for about 13. ycars, when he sold to Elisha Camp and removed to Rutland, a few years later locating in Rodman, where he resided until his death. He served in the battle of Sackets Harbor, was a justice of the peace in Rutland several years, and an influential member of the Baptist Church. He had three sons and 10 daughters, all of whom attained maturity, and all but one reared families. Daniel Smith, Jr., was born in Honnsfield in 1815. In 1844 he married Eliza - beth Robbins, of Copenhagen, and has since resided in Rodman, engaged in farming and deal- ing in cattle. Upon the death of his first wife he married Merey A. Brown, of this town. His first wife bore him one son, Stephen R.

James Hill came from Lenox, Madison County, to Rodman, in 1826, locating on the farm now occupied by his grandson, H. E. IIill. Jared A. Hill, son of James, was born in Lenox. Madison County, in 1822. In 1853 he married Ruby M., daughter of Azariah Eastman. of Rodman, and settled on the homestead, where he remained until his death, August 30, 1883. His children were Dagan A., Herman E .. and Cora A. (Mrs. W. D. Kenfield ), all of whom re- side in this town. His widow survives him.

Major William Gardner, who was an officer in the Revolutionary war, removed from Rhode Island to Pinckney, N. Y., in 1808, where he resided until his death. Job, son of Will- iam, was born in 1800, and in 1822 married Laura Chase, of Elbridge, Onondaga County, and subsequently located in Lewis County, whence he removed, in 1832, to Rodman, locating upon the farm now owned by his son Giles W. He had born to him eight children, six of whom are living, namely: Sarah ( Mrs. Anthony Scidmore), Mary J. ( Mrs. J. D. Adams), Maranda (Mrs. Milo Waite), of Tylerville, Esther ( Mrs. A. Waite ), of Pinckney, Cornelia M. (Mrs. George Bibbins), and Giles W.

Lyman Miller, son of Archibald and Lucinda ( Bissell) Miller, was born in Melbourne, Lower Canada, in 1811, and at the age of 16 years located in Washington County, N. Y., thence removing to this town with his father in 1834. He married Lois Cooley in 1838, and located in the Cook neighborhood, where he bought the Jolm Cooley farm, where he now resides, Mr. Miller has three children, as follows: J. Francis, Polly Ann (Mrs. George Smith), who re- sides in Pinckney, Lewis County, N. Y., and Lois T. Mr. Miller's father was a native of Ver- mont, and his mother a native of Massachusetts. They removed to Canada in 1804. Both his grandfathers did honorable service in the Revolutionary war.

Mrs. Louisa Cole, daughter of Barrett and Ellen (Boyce) Phelps, was born in Watertown, July 19, 1818. She wedded with Daniel Cole in 1839, and they removed to this town, Mr. Cole having previously purchased a farm of Timothy Greenly, where he died in 1883. Mrs. Cole, at the age of 70 years, still ocenpies the farm with her son Andrew J. She has had chil- dren as follows: Barret A., who resides in this town; Adelaide J. (Mrs. A. W. Smith ), of Copen- hagen, Lewis County; Andrew J., mentioned above; Ellen L. (Mrs. J. F. Miller); and Frank J. and Herbert D., both of whom reside in this town.

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TOWN OF RUTLAND.

Ebenezer S. Porter settled in the town of Rutland about 1805, locating near Tylerville, where he cleared a farm, and where he resided until his death. He had a family of one son and four daughters. Richardson Porter, son of Ebenezer S., was born in Rutland, where he married Sarah, daughter of John Scidmore. In 1840 he removed to Rodman village. where he carried on blacksmithing until his death in 1843. He had three children, namely: Horatio S., a farmer. Oliver R., a miller, and Elizabeth S. (Mrs. N. G. Cooley), all of whom reside in this town.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 97

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