Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 133

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894 > Part 133

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A. W. HADSALL, son of Solomon, was born in the town of Champion, January 14, 1835. He married Louisa, daughter of Asa- hel and Caroline Sheldon, and located on the old homestead, which he occupied until 1880, when he removed to Alexandria Bay and ran the St. Lawrence Hotel for two years, when he located in Black River village, in the town of LeRay, where he is now a justice of the peace. He was supervisor of the town of Champion in 1870-71, has been one of the board of trade since the organization of that body, was railroad commissioner for Cham- pion from 1871 till 1880, and has been asses- sor of LeRay since 1886.

PHILIP HELMER was born in the town of Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., August 21, 1825. At the age of 13 he moved with his parents to LeRay, where he was married in 1847 to Betsey C., daughter of Peter Hoover. Their union was blessed with one son, Albert E., born December 18, 1860, near Evans Mills, to which village he removed with his parents when 11 years old, and there he has since resided. He attended the public schools until 16 years of age. He then en- gaged as clerk for Wesley Rulison, serving in that capacity one year. He again entered school, and attended until April 3, 1881, when he engaged with J. P. Steinhilber, with whom he remained four years, when he bought the entire stock of general merchan- dise from his employer, and engaged in busi- ness for himself. On the 30th of September, 1890, he married Frances A., youngest

daughter of Leonard L. and Susan (Martin) Peck, of Evans' Mills, and they have one daughter, Gertrude Mildred, born December 19, 1892. Their second child, Albert E., died November 22, 1894, aged nearly seven months. Mr. A. E. Helmer was town clerk of the town of LeRay for 10 years; was his party's candidate for Member of Assembly for the county of Jefferson in 1892; is a member of the Jeffersonian Club in Watertown, and was for a number of years a vice-president of that organization ; was a delegate to the State Convention in 1888, which nominated D. B. Hill for Governor. On the 22d of June, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Evans Mills, which position he now holds. Mr. Helmer is largely interested in farming and dairying, and in the manufacture of cheese ; is one of the proprietors of the Sunny Side Cheese Factory, one of the best factories in the county. He is in all respects a whole- some man, whom it is a pleasure to know.

PHILIP HELMER, father of Albert E., died April 7, 1887. His wife still survives him, and lives with her son in Evans Mills. Mr. Helmer's great-grandfather emigrated to this country from Holland, and settled in Herki- mer county. His maternal great-grand- mother was a native of Switzerland.

J. P. STEINHILBER is the son of Bernard and Mary Steinhilber, who emigrated to America about the year 1835. His father was a native of Wertenberg, and his mother a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. They came directly to Jefferson county, soon thereafter, locating in the town of LeRay, where they were united in marriage, and lived during the remainder of their lives, which ended in his father's death in Septem- ber, 1880, at the age of 69 years, and with the death of his mother, in March, 1891, at the age of 80 years. J. P. Steinhilber was born on a farm about one mile southeast of Evans Mills, and remained with his parents during his boyhood, dividing his time in as- sisting at farm work and in attending the district school. His schooling was limited to one term each year during the winter sca- son, until about 18 years old, when he sought to gain a little additional knowledge in at- tending other schools for a while, after which he procured a position as clerk in a dry goods store in Watertown, N. Y., and in 1871 re- turned to Evans Mills and engaged in the mercantile business, associating himself with Wesley Rulison, under the firm name of Ruli- son & Steinhilber, which they continued for three years, when a mutual dissolution was effected, Mr. Steinhilber continuing the busi- ness for a number of years thereafter. Lat- terly he has been devoting a part of his at- tention to farm interests, while the greater part of his time and attention have been given to his store, where he is still engaged. Mr. Steinhilber is a very favorable illustra- tion of the merging, in the second generation, of foreign blood into the genuine American fibre, in morals, personal integrity, and in patriotic sentiment. He is a wholesome man.

LE RAY.

630a

THE CASSE FAMILY

COL. ALFRED J. CASSE.

WILLIAM CASSE, father of COLONEL AL- FRED J. CASSE, the subject of this sketch, came to this country from France about the year 1835, and settled at Evans Mills. In 1839, he married Marguerite Grappott, the daughter of Augustus Grappott, also a native of France, and a sister of John B. Grappott, a well-known citizen of Cape Vincent. William Casse was a man of much culture, having had a liberal education be- fore coming to this country. Here he taught painting, drawing and languages; and was a teacher for some time in Proctor's Academy at Evans Mills. He was also a tutor in the old French families settled near Evans Mills, including that of Joseph Boyer and the Delafolies. Prominent among his pupils were the late Mrs. Howell Benton and Joseph

Boyer, Jr. Mr. Casse continued to reside at Evans Mills until his death in 1887. Of his · marriage there were five children born, Wil- liam P., Alfred J., Augustus, Clara and John B., two of them only surviving. The widow now resides in the old homestead at Evans Mills. The elder Casse was a patriotic citi- zen, and when the War of the Union broke out he readily consented that those of his sons who were old enough, should enter the military service. William P., enlisted in C Company, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, under Captain Byron B. Taggart, and served with his regiment until the close of the war, mak- ing an excellent record as a soldier, and was mustered out with his regiment, receiving an honorable discharge. Augustus, although only 18 years of age, in the fall of 1864,

630b

WILLIAM CASSE.

enlisted in Company G, 20th N. Y. Cavalry. He served until the muster out of his regi- ment, performing his duty faithfully, but contracted disease while in the service from which he died in 1869. Clara, the only daughter, married Alfred Hemstreet, of Michigan, and died in 1885. John B., con- tinued to reside at the homestead until his death about 1885, having nearly reached his majority.

Colonel Alfred J. Casse, one of the two surviving members of this interesting fam- ily, has fully sustained the family's good name and has " justified the honors he has gained." He enlisted in C Battery, 1st Light Artillery, in the summer of 1861, in those early days of the war when patriotism alone prompted the young men of the country to fight for the preservation of the Union. He patriotically served as a soldier until honor- ably discharged for disability, his health failing in consequence of exposure in the arduous campaigns of second Bull Run, An- tietam and Fredericksburg. He returned to his home the last of February, 1863, and remained there recruiting his health until the summer of 1863, when he entered into the active work of recruiting for the 20th N. Y. Cavalry, raising part of a company, and was mustered into the military service as second lieutenant of Company G. In July following he was promoted to be first lieutenant, and in the following winter was commissioned captain of L Company, and assigned to duty under General R. S. McKingsie as aide-de-camp, and later as ordnance officer ; and continued on staff duty from that time until August, 1865, when he was mustered out of the military service, leaving an honorable record.

Captain Casse remained at home about one year after being mustered out of the military service, and then went to New York and engaged in commercial life with the firm of J. C. Wemple & Co., with which firm he remained until about 1880, when he established the house of Casse, Lackey & Co., manufacturers and importers of win- dow shades and window-shade material. About three years ago he formed a joint stock company, known as the Pinney, Casse, & Lackey Co., No. 273 Canal and 31 Howard streets, New York city, of which corpora- tion he became vice-president, and is acting in that capacity at the present time. Col- onel Casse's business career has been a suc- cessful one, due in a large degree to his energy and ability as a business man. Dur-

ing his career he never forgot the training he received in the military service, and about 1866 he was commissioned commissary on the brigade staff of General Bradley Winslow, with the rank of Major in the National Guard of the State. About a year later he was appointed to the command of the 35th Regiment, National Guard. He immediately proceeded to re-organize the regiment, reducing the same to a battalion of four companies, and receiving a commis- sion as Lieutenant-Colonel. Under the effi- cient and soldierly direction of Colonel Casse, the 35th Battalion became an import- ant factor in the National Guard, and was noted for its good discipline and efficiency. During the time the Colonel was in com- mand of 35th Battalion, he took an active interest in securing an appropriation by the Legislature for the building of the present armory in the city of Watertown, a struct- ure that is at once an ornament to the city, and of great value to the present organiza- tion of the National Guard. Colonel Casse is entitled to much credit for his zeal in this matter. He.was noted for his liberality in the maintenance of his command, and es- pecially for organizing and furnishing, from his own means, the instruments for the 35th Battalion band. In 1882, the demands of his business were such that he felt neces- sitated to resign his commission in the National Guard. His resignation was ac- cepted at headquarters with much reluc- tance, and he left the service with a record of being a most able and brilliant officer, and with the highest encomiums bestowed upon him by his superiors.

The Colonel bears his years lightly, and is at the present time active and energetic in the prosecution of business. His career is one that reflects credit upon himself, his family, and upon Jefferson county, where he is well known. He was married in 1882, and has a son nine years old, who is apparently "a chip of the old block," being a military cadet, and inheriting in a large measure the military spirit of his father.

Colonel Casse is a charter member of Lafayette Post No. 140, of the G. A. R. of New York city-a Post that numbers among its members some of the most distinguished soldiers of the country. The photograph accompanying this sketch represents the Colonel in the uniform of the Post, and on his knee is seated his beloved son Jamie, mentioned above.

631

LORRAINE.

PREPARED BY MRS. E. J. CLARK.

THE town of Lorraine was taken from Mexico, by an act passed March 24, 1804. It first bore the name of Malta, but was after- wards changed to Lorraine, for the alleged reason that there was a town in Saratoga county named Malta, and it was confusing that two towns should have the same name. Lorraine is about six miles square, and its southern boundary is Oswego county. It also borders on the towns of Adams, Rod- man, Worth and Ellisburgh.

Its surface is much broken by hills, and natural drainage is afforded through the deep gulfs and channels which traverse the town. Its soil is underlaid with slate or shale, whose layers are alternately hard and soft, and which yield readily to the agen- cies of frost and atmospheric action. The gulfs of Lorraine afford some of the grand- est and most picturesque scenery to be found in Northern New York ; their breadth varies from four to ten rods. and their depth from one to three hundred feet. Their sides in some places are thickly covered with trees and shrubs of different varieties, while in others only bare rocks and cliffs are seen. They are known as the North and South Gulfs. They have caused great inconven- ience to the inhabitants, and great expense in the construction of bridges, and where it was found impossible to bridge these chasms, miles of extra travel have been the result. Narrow streams wind at their base, and their tributaries afford, at certain seasons of the year, a fairly good water-power. Standing upon the brink of some of these precipices. and gazing down into the yawning chasms, in a silence unbroken, save by the ripple of a tiny waterfall or the solitary note of a lone bird, the beholder is awed and amazed by their grandeur, while the ever-changeful beauty of the foliage, from summer's deep- est green to the varied tints of autumn, with here and there a ray of sunlight struggling through their gloom, the effect is indescrib- able. Ere the settlers invaded this region it was the home of the wolf, the panther and the black bear; and here the wild deer roamed unmolested. The sly fox, the in- dustrious beaver and the muskrat were here, and during the early settlements bounties were offered for their capture, affording the expert trapper a source of revenue, both in the payment of bounties and in their valua- ble furs, which found a ready market.

Numerous accidents have occurred among these rocks and cliffs at different times in the history of the town. At one point where the narrow road leads down a steep hill, is a chasm on one side over a hundred feet in depth. In 1876 a man named Henry Wright, with his team and high load, was, by the breaking of a neck-york, precipitated over this bank, and, strange to relate, although

seriously injured and rendered unconscious by the fall, he escaped with his life, and still lives at the age of 80 years. His team es- caped serious injury. In February, 1894, a young son of W. B. Randall, while play- ing with other boys, was buried beneath an avalanche of snow from an over-hanging cliff. His more fortunate associates escaped by grasping trees or catching hold of pro- jecting objects, or possibly were fleet enough to escape the coming danger, while this one lad was buried many feet beneath the snow and ice. An alarm was immediately given, but before he could be rescued life was ex- tinct.

The first settlement in the town was made in 1802, by James McKee and Elijah Fox. The following winter and spring several families, among whom were Comfort Stan- cliff, Benjamin Gates, John Alger and others, moved in. A man named Cutler built the first mills in 1804. The first locations were made along the line of the State road run- ning from Rome to Brownville. These farms were easy of access, and were soon settled. The first mail-carrier was Simeon Parkhurst, and Benjamin Gates was the first postmaster. Much of the land at this period sold for $2 and $3 per acre.

Some excitement was produced about this time by a rumor that iron ore had been found on lot No. 7, but, upon examination, it was found to be black oxyde of manganese, common to swamps in this section. The first town meeting, legally named, was held March 5, 1805, at the house of John Alger, and the following officers were elected : Asa Brown, supervisor; William Hosford, clerk ; Clark Allen, Ormond Butler and Warner Flower, assessors ; O. Butler, constable and collector ; William Hunter and C. Allen, poormasters ; William Hosford, Michael Frost and Asa Sweet, commissioners of high- ways; William Lamphear, Joseph Case, Elijah Fox, fence viewers; James McKee and John Griswold, poundmasters. The supervisors were : 1805-6, Asa Brown: 1807, Clark Al- len ; 1814, Elihu Gillet ; 1815-24, Clark Al- len ; 1825-29, John Boyden ; 1830-31, Jared Gleason ; 1832-35, J. Boyden ; 1836-37, Lo- ren Bushnell ; 1838-39, Elisha Allen ; 1840, L. Bushnell ; 1841, E. Allen ; 1842-43, James Gifford; 1844, J. Boyden ; 1845, E. Allen ; 1846, J. Boyden; 1847, David J. Redway ; 1848-51, Moses Brown ; 1852, James Gifford ; 1853, Willard W. Huson. On pages 337-44, will be found a continuation of this list from 1854 to 1894, a period of 40 years.

Spafford's Gazette, of 1813, tells us that in 1810 there were three religious societies (Con- gregational, Baptist and Methodist), six school-houses, two grist-mills, and four saw- mills. The houses were mostly built of logs, only about 30 being framed. The same

632

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

author says, in 1820, that there were 3,356 acres of improved land. There were then six saw-mills, two grist-mills, one fulling- mill, one carding machine, one distillery and one ashery.

Much patriotism was displayed by the in- habitants of Lorraine in the War of 1812, as the following letter will show. Soon after the declaration of war General Brown received this document :

LORRAINE, July 21, 1812.

DEAR SIR-Believing our country in danger, and feeling a willingness to defend the same, 60 men assem- bled and made choice of Joseph Wilcox as captain ; James Perry, lieutenant ; Ebenezer Brown, Jr., en- sign. This is therefore to desire your honor to fur- nish us with arms and ammunition, while you may have the assurance we shall be ready on any invasion of Jefferson county, at a moment's warning, to de- fend the same. The above-named men met at the house of John Alger, on the 16th inst., and may be considered "Silver Grays." that is, men who are ex- empt by law from military duty. We wish you, Sir, to forward the arms to this place as soon as possible ; and be assured we are, with respect,

Your humbe servants.

JOSEPH WILCOX, Captain, JAMES PERRY, Lieutenant, E. BROWN, JR., Ensign.

This company marched to the defense of Sackets Harbor, but did not arrive until after the engagement was over.

A pair of stocks were once erected near the residence of John Alger, for the purpose of administering punishment to those found guilty of breaking the laws. Some contend that this salutary means of justice was never used, while others are positive that one man was fastened to these beams and a certain number of lashes laid upon his back for the crime of theft, but that soon after they were taken down. It is also said that the timbers used in the construction of these stocks are still in existence.

The principal village of Lorraine, long and familiarly known as "The Huddle," is justly entitled to a more dignified or mod- ern appellation. Its location is one of the most picturesque among the many charming ones afforded by the scenery of the town. In its centre, far down at the base of its rocky banks, flows a stream which affords sufficient power to propel the machinery upon its banks. A permanent iron bridge spans the chasm, and on either side is heard the hum of active industry, for the inhabitants are all alive, and if there were any drones in the hive the writer failed to see them on a recent visit. Many of the dwellings are new and of modern architecture, while here and there is seen a reminder of more primitive days. A comfortable and well-kept hotel, in a con- venient locality, affords rest to the weary traveller and an air of rural comfort and con- tentment, refreshing to find, pervades the little hamlet.

Lorraine has two postoffices, one at Lor- raine village and one at Winona. There are also three saw-mills and two grist-mills. There are five cheese factories in the town, one in the village of Lorraine, with 400 cows; Maple Grove factory has 400 cows ; Pitkin factory has 250 cows. The Winona factory, in the

southern part of the town, has 400 cows ; Stone factory, at Haight's Corners, has 200 COWS.

Among the farmers of Lorraine are : Henry M. Brown, G. R. Purdy, H. P. Fas- sett, W. W. Emmons, Eugene Allen, Henry Bailey, W. B. Crandall, George A. Fox, W. B. Randall, Aaron Brown, L. P. James, J. Carpenter, M. Saunders, George Caulkins, S. A. Wise, E. Cross, O. C. Tucker, L. P. Fox, Caleb Bailey, Erwin Pitkin, George Hitch- cock.

CHURCHES OF LORRAINE.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH of Lorraine was or- ganized in 1806. Rev. Amos Lamson was the first pastor. They have a church and a parsonage valued at $3,000. Its present membership is 100. The present pastor is Rev. D. T. White.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH of Lorraine, when first organized, was connec- ted with the Ellisburgh circuit until 1853, when it was established as a charge by itself. The membership at Lorraine is 82 in full connection, and 14 probationers ; total num- ber of members, 96. Trustees : S. A. Grim- shaw, D. B. Wise, Clinton Grimshaw, Henry Grimshaw, George Talcott, L. F. Caulkins, Charles Pitkins, L. P. Fox, L. S. Pitkins.

LORRAINE CEMETERY.

THE LORRAINE RURAL CEMETERY ASSO- CIATION of the village of Lorraine, was formed in 1852. The present officers are : President, S. A. Grimshaw ; vice-president, Daniel B. Wise ; secretary, Philo M. Brown ; treasurer, William R. Steele, with nine trus- tees.

BUSINESS OF LORRAINE.

George F. Grow, hotel.

Joseph Grimshaw, general store.

C. L. Tucker, general store and postmaster.

W. R. Grow, extensive egg dealer.

C. D. Grimshaw, general store.

A. C. Reed, insurance agent and under- taker.

The physicians are William C. Fawdry and M. L. Overton.

O. C. Tucker, dealer in live stock.

J. D. Grow, hardware merchant.

H. A. Cross, grist-mill and grocery.

Mrs. N. McComber, variety store.

Edward Clark, A. W. Harrington and F. D. Spicer, blacksmiths.

E. D. Bellinger, painter.

E. Bellinger, wagon shop.

A. Wagoner, cheese-box factory.

J. L. Shelmerdine, flour and feed store.

O. L. Shelmerdine, carriages and farming. implements.

C. C. Moore's store was burned December 13, 1893, rebuilt in 1894, and is now occupied by its owner.

SCHOOLS .- In common with all the other towns of the county, Lorraine possessed early in its history, fair schools, and they have been well utilized by the children up to the present time.

633

LYME.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

ELIJAH Fox, Jr., was born in 1780, and came to Lorraine in 1802. He built the first log-house on the farm now owned and occu- pied by his son, George A. Fox. Among other early settlers in the town was Allen Pitkins, who came in 1803. He is said to have been a man of great perseverance. He served in the War of 1812, and died in Lor- raine in 1847. Joel Caulkins came to Lor- raine from Litchfield, Conn., in 1805. He reared a large family, and many of his de- scendants still survive him, who are wealthy and influential members of society.

AARON BROWN was born in Connecticut in 1785, and removed to Adams in 1806. Soon afterward he moved to Lorraine, and pur- chased the land now occupied by Lorraine village. There he built a grist-mill, a saw- mill, a distillery and kept a general store. He was the father of Moses Brown, who died in 1853. Allena B., his only daughter, still survives him at an advanced age. She is a widow, and resides in Lorraine. Her husband, John Fletcher Bishop, was a tal- ented Baptist clergyman, who won much re- nown. He was pastor of several prominent churches, and met with good success as an evangelist He died in 1859. Their eldest son, Judson W. Bishop, was the first to en- list in the late war of the rebellion, and the last to be mustered out at its close.

ASA TARBLE was one of four brothers, Amos, Asa, Joy and Abijah, who were for many years residents of Lorraine. About 1828, Asa removed to Adams village, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He was by trade a stone mason, and the founda- tion of many a substantial structure in Ad- ams was the work of his hands, and he is re- membered as an honest and industrious citi- zen. He was a firm believer in the doctrine of Universal Salvation, and was a most zeal-

ous defender of the same. He was a man well versed in the Scriptures and ever able to offer what seemed to him convincing proofs of his favorite theme. A son and daughter still survive him, who reside in Adams.

DEACON OSIAS BARTON came to Lorraine in 1807. He located on a farm of 100 acres on the road leading to Pierrepont Manor. He married Miss Sally Lamson. They reared a family of nine children, and he was one of the original members who organized the Baptist church at Lorraine village in 1805. He was a justice of the peace in 1805 ; fought at the battle of Sackets Harbor, and also at the contest at the mouth of Sandy Creek. He was for many years a respected citizen, dying in 1850. His son, Hubert J. Barton, has been a resident of Watertown since 1851.

JOHN LAMSON was born in Randolph, Ver- mont, and came to Lorraine in 1806. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and died in 1808. His son, Job Lamson, a well-known farmer of Lorraine, was elected member of Assem- bly in 1843, and served with credit. He died in 1857. His sister, Miss Sally Lamson. taught the first school in Lorraine. The old farm is still in possession of a member of the family.

HARVEY HUBBARD, once a resident of Lorraine, is still living at the advanced age of 92 years. He was one of the 80 men who helped to carry the cable from Sandy Creek to Sackets Harbor.

JOSEPH GRIMSHAW came to Lorraine about 1835, and engaged in farming. He was the father of eight sons, among whom were Henry L., Joseph, Stephen, Clinton M. and Charles D., who resides in Lorraine. Two of his sons removed to Minnesota. Charles D. is the present supervisor of Lorraine, and his sketch may be found with those of the board of supervisors.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 133

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823- Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094