Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 150

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

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PERCIVAL DORMAN BULLARD

WAS born in the town of Henderson in 1819. He was the son of Percival and Dorcas (Philips) Bullard, who came into Jefferson county previous to 1812, for in that year Mr. Bullard, Sr., was a merchant at Sackets Harbor. He was afterward a merchant at Henderson village, in company with his brother, the firm name being Percival & Jonathan Bullard. In 1823 he removed to Theresa and became proprietor of the old grist-mill, purchasing it from Mr. LeRay. It was the first grist-mill built in Theresa, and Mr. Bullard continued owner until his death. He paid for part of the mill in wheat at 44 cents a bushel, delivered in Watertown, probably the lowest price for which that cereal ever changed hands in Jefferson county.

Percival D. Bullard came to Theresa with his parents in 1823, when four years of age. He had the benefits of the village schools, and at 16 completed his scholastic education by two and one-half years attendance at the Lowville Academy, then an important school. After this tour at school he began his com- mercial education with Rulison & Thomas. at Evans Mills, then with O. S. Salisbury, at Belleville, finally returning to Theresa in 1837, entering the store of Anson Ranney, where he continued for three years, and then purchased an interest in the business, the firm becoming (April 1, 1840), Ranney & Bullard, who were the leading merchants at that place. After four years of this partner- ship Mr. Bullard withdrew from the firm, and after building the brick store on the cor-

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ner opposite Ranney's stone building, he began (in 1845), as a merchant upon his own account, and in his own building. In 1848 the firm became Bullard & Walradt, and thus continued until 1861, when Mr. Bullard retired temporarily from active business. In 1865 he again returned to the old corner, and organized the firm of P. D. Bullard & Co., composed of himself, A. Walradt and Mr. Bullard's son-in-law, John D. Flower.

In 1840 Mr. Bullard married Miss Cather- ine L. Walradt, and their children are: Percival, who died in his 11th year; Abi- gail (wife of John D. Flower, Esq., residing in New York city); Amelia (wife of Mr. John Lambie, a merchant of Theresa); she died May 19, 1883; Clarence (who married Lena Chadwick); Florence (wife of D. F. Stanley, of Adams); Ida (wife of M. C. Pur- dey, of Ellisburg); and George, residing in New York city. Mrs. Bullard died in 1870. In 1871 Mr. Bullard married Mrs. Maria Walradt, widow of Godfrey Walradt. In January, 1870, Mr. Flower retired from the firm of P. D. Bullard and Co., and Mr. Bull- ard and Mr. Walradt continued in trade until

1873. In that year Mr. Bullard sold his half of the goods to Mr. Kelsey, and permanently retired from trade, though not from business. He is one of the oldest citizens of Theresa, and the oldest continuing resident of that village. He is a man peculiarly modest and unassuming, yet has a strong character, very conservative, but always on the side of im- provement and progress. A leading merch- ant for many years, he has not an enemy in the town, for he has always been noted for fair dealing and honest purposes. Himself and his family have always been the friends of law and order, and doing their full share towards elevating the tone of society and the best interests of the community. He bears his years remarkably well, and is as active as a man of 60, with a clear head, and a resolute participant in whatever labors come to him in discharging the various trusts committed to his care. He was elected supervisor of his town in 1851, 1857 and 1863. In 1856 his town gave a Republican majority of 186. Mr. Bullard has always been a Democrat, but never for an hour opposed President Lincoln.

EBENEZER AND ALMIRA LULL.

THESE were the two early residents of Theresa, now remembered by not more than half-a-dozen of its present population, and deserve a place upon the immortal page of history-for their example in life was par- ticularly elevated, and the memories they left have been wholesome and beneficient.

Ebenezer Lull, whose tombstone may be seen near the entrance to the old burying-ground at Theresa, was born at Butternuts, Otsego county, April 10, 1799, and came to Theresa village at an early day. Butternuts was the neighborhood whence came Nathaniel Mon- roe Flower and wife, and the widely-known Fayel family. Mr. Lull was of the very best stock of that historic county, his parents being among those who escaped from Cherry Valley during the incursion of the British Indians, under the leadership of the renegade Butler, whose heavy hand was sorely felt by the early settlers between the Hudson and the Susquehanna. From that massacre and pillage Mr. Lull's mother escaped on horse- back with a baby in her lap and a little child tied to the pillow of her saddle behind her. She was a heroine, whose name is immortal in the history of Otsego county.

The first store at Theresa village was started by Lull & Walton, and when his busi- ness had become established, Mr. Lull mar- ried Almira Barnes, the village school teacher (July 29, 1821), whose parents resided in what was then called the Barnes Settle- ment, at Goose Bay, in Alexandria. She was born in Steuben, N. Y., September 11, 1778. They had three children born to them, two daughters and a son, and the firm prospered. Mr. Lull was a loveable man, tall and intelli- gent, admired by all. The writer has heard some of the older settlers tell of their per- sonal obligations to him, for he helped some of them over hard places, perhaps insurmount- able but for the credit he kindly gave for goods needed to sustain their families. The firm early went into lumbering, and for a

ALMIRA LULL.

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time that branch of the business prospered. Late one fall they had several rafts of oak timber in the river on their way to Montreal, and Mr. Lull went along to transact the necessary business. In the Lachene rapids one of the most valuable rafts went to pieces, and the exposure he was subjected to in try- ing to re-claim his scattered timber, resulted in an attack of acute pneumonia, and Mr. Lull came home to Theresa only to die. He died December 8, 1827, in his 29th year.

The misfortunes which befel these rafts compelled the firm of Lull & Walton to go into bankruptcy, a fate that would probably have been avoided had Mr. Lull lived, for every one felt kindly towards him, and his credit was practically unlimited.

His death left his young wife almost penni- less, with three little children upon her hands. She knew but little about house- work, for she had been a school-teacher, not a house-keeper. But she had a determined spirit and a hopeful soul, and trusted in that God who had promised to care for the widow and the fatherless. Gradually she adapted herself to her surroundings, and reared her children respectably. One of her daughters, Mary F. L., is now the beloved wife of the author of this History. Mrs. Lull passed over 20 years of her life, an honored and beloved member of that family, where her presence was looked upon as a benediction. Old age at

last claimed her as one fit to depart, and she died in Philadelphia, Pa., February 15, 1887, in her 90th year, full of Christian hope, be- loved and honored by all who were so fortun- ate as to enjoy her acquaintance.

So much was she attached to her home in Philadelphia, and to her daughter's children, that at her own request, she was buried in the family plot in Monument Cemetery in that city, close by the side of a beloved grandson, who was drowned in the Brandy- wine at Wilmington. She had been a con- sistent Christian for over 60 years, having been one of the first to join the M. E. Church at Theresa. The older Methodist ministers of the Black River Conference will remember her repeated hospitality-her house having been for years their favorite stopping-place in their itinerary.

Though she had lived so long away from her old home, Theresa was ever in her affection- ate remembrance. Its people were dear to her, and her memory was filled with recol- lections of their kindness and neighborly appreciation. Having lived a life of useful- ness and honor, it was not hard for her to die, because she had no fear of the future.

Mr. and Mrs. Lull's two other children were Maria and Hiram. Maria married Mr. Bearup, at Theresa, and Hiram went early . to Middletown, Conn., where he married and reared a family. He is yet living.

ABRAHAM MORROW

WAS born in Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1794, and was one of the earliest settlers of

Theresa, and the first tailor, which business he followed many years. When Mrs. Lull was left by the death of her hushand with three little children to support, it was with Mr. Morrow that she learned to be a tailoress. He married Lucinda Parker in 1823, and three children were born to them : Jane A. (Mrs. Van Olinda), James H., who married Jane A. Stewart, and Jason C. Mrs. Morrow died May 7, 1886, and her husband died at Theresa, April 27, 1875. He was one of the charter members of the Presbyterian Church in Brownville, where he resided a couple of years. From there he removed to Cape Vin- cent before he removed to Theresa. During the gold excitement he went to California, and was moderately successful. Mr. Morrow was a most exemplary citizen. Himself and wife were charter members of the Theresa Presbyterian Church, with Nathan M. Flower and wife and the Bodmans. Mr. Morrow left a name peculiarly sweet, for he illustra- ted every Christian virtue.

Jason C., the second son of the above, was born in Theresa, in 1837, and had the benefit of the excellent schools of that town. He started out in business life in 1855 by going to Chicago, He soon returned and accepted a position in Jason Clark's office at Plessis, where he remained three years, and then came to Theresa, his native place. In 1872 he accepted a position in Yost's bank, where

ABRAHAM MORROW.

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he remained 221/2 years. In October, 1863, he married, for his first wife, Miss Cyrena O. Ellis, of Plessis. Two children were born to them : Helen E. and C. Maud. Their mother died in October, 1869. For his second wife he married Miss Ada Chapman, daughter of W. D. Chapman, of Theresa. Two children were born to them, William D. and Florence.

Mr. Morrow has held many offices of public trust, and was supervisor of the town in 1871 and 1872. Like his father before him, he has always born an excellent reputation, and has commanded from his youth up the respect of the entire community. He is yet in the prime of life, and good for many years of active service.

HON. GEORGE E. YOST.

ONE of the leading business men of Theresa, and its present supervisor, was born in that town April 7, 1838, and is the son of Nicholas D. and Magdaline (Hanson) Yost, early settlers in the town of Theresa, where they took up a farm in 1837. George E., the sub- ject of this sketch, is of German descent, his parents coming from Johnstown, Montgomery county, in 1837, and he is one of six children. Nicholas D. Yost died in 1870, and is buried in the new cemetery at Theresa. His widow still survives.

In the fall and winter of 1854, George E. attended Prof. Goodnough's Academy at Theresa, paying his board by sawing wood, taking care of the horse and cow and build- ing fires for Mr. Anson Ranney, the mer- chant. In the spring of 1855, after attending another term of school, he graduated, and be- came a clerk in the store of Atwell & Hoyt. In 1858 he went West to Janesville, Wis. Having contracted a malarial fever, he was obliged to return to his native town. After purchasing and conducting a planing mill one year, he purchased the stock in trade of Silas L. George, in the fall of 1859, being then 21 years of age. He disposed of his stock in 1863, which was his last mercantile venture. Having been reared on a farm, he is considered good authority on cattle and horses. He conducted an extensive business, buying and selling Canadian stock and butter and cheese, until 1872, when he commenced banking, in which he is at present engaged. He has a well-stocked farm in Antwerp, over a mile square, also a large cheese factory.

The village of Theresa shows, in many in- stances, the result of Mr. Yost's business en- terprise. He has built his own house, his mother's house, his brick block (the latter in the center of the village, in which is his bank), and the brick church, which Governor Flower and his brothers paid for, as well as other improvements. The substantial aid received from his father's estate after his death in 1870, materially aided him in estab- lishing his banking business. Success seems to follow whatever enterprise he undertakes, One of them has been the introduction of a car oiler, which left a large margin in his favor. Mr. Yost has also found time to in- terest himself in politics, as every public- spirited and truly enterprising citizen should. While one of the Board of Education of Theresa, he was active in his efforts to re- model the old school house, and adopt the

Union Free School system, which was estab- lished in 1870. He was also instrumental in obtaining a charter for the village of Theresa in 1871, and was elected its first president, which office he held two terms. In 1873 and 1874 he was supervisor of the town, and member of Assembly in 1875, and has been on the Board of Supervisors continuously since 1889, until the present time. The ex- tension of the railroad through the town of Theresa was in a measure due to his influence, and after the panic of 1873 he paid off its floating debt-advancing the money from his own means. The stock is now worth $1.40 on the dollar, a saving to the town, which he helped to procure. In fact he has always been ready and willing to help any business enterprise that would be a help to his native town.

His wife's maiden name was Evaline J. Stockwell, who was born January 21, 1840. They have been, blessed with three children : Charles G. Yost, who married Annie Kim- ball, daughter of Henry Kimball, residing in Watertown, and has two beautiful little girls ; Fred D. Yost, who is unmarried, and a cashier in his father's bank, and Miss Grace E. Yost, aged 11 years, the beloved of them all. He also adopted a daughter, Florence M. Irwin, who married one of the leading business men of Johnstown, N. Y. Although a young man, Mr. Yost has made his mark in his native county, and may be claimed among the leaders in the community where he resides, a fact due in a great measure to his whole-souled, generous disposition.

HON. ELIHU C. CHURCH, one of the early, though not the earliest settler of Theresa, was born in 1803, in Fulton, Worcester county, Mass., and died at Theresa village, January 27, 1868. He was in many respects an able man, a sincere Christian, and almost a life-long member of the Methodist Church. His popularity and ability were so great that he was three times elected to serve his district in the Legislature, 1842-3, and again in 1858. Having been deprived of the bene- fits of an early education, he took good care that his own children should not be left behind in that respect. Two of his sons have been long in the Methodist itinerancy, able Christian ministers. The influence of Mr. Church was always on the side of good citizenship. He died suddenly, much la- mented.

HON. GEORGE E. YOST.

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

WILLIAM DRESSER, one of the most useful and valued citizens of Theresa, died at that place April 15, 1881, at the age of 68. He was born at Pamelia Four Corners, and at the age of nine years removed to Theresa, where he resided for the greater part of his life. and where he was identified as one of the foremost in the promotion of the general welfare of the community, and in his death a void was left which was hard to fill. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and in this capacity was known for his ex- cellent judgment and for his firmness in de- cisions. He was a man of great firmness of character, and under all circumstances " dared to do right." In his youth he em- braced the cause of Christ, and for many years was a leading member of the M. E. Church. In politics he was a stanch Re- publican of much influence, and for years was chairman of the Republican town com- mittee, and an active member of the county committee. In 1839 he married Miss Eliza A. Griffin, of Oswego, who survives him. The children are Mrs. Dexter Swan, of Washington, D. C., who died in 1885, and Mrs. Joseph Fayel. Another daughter, Miss Alice, died in the very flower of her youth, much lamented.

AARON, the father of William Dresser, was one of the first settlers of Theresa, com- ing into the town from Pamelia, when the Military road was being built. He began clearing land and making black salts, then about the only thing the earlier ones relied upon to keep the wolf of hunger from their doors. He was a man of extraordinary energy and physical endurance. His son, Aaron, Jr., was one of those foolish Patriots who were captured in the Windmill, near Prescott, in 1838, and was sent to Van Die- man's land, where he remained seven years.

JEREMIAH R. STURTEVANT, M. D., is the son of Peter and Laura (Howard) Sturte- vant, and was born at Sandy Hill, N. Y., May 1, 1847. At the age of five he re- moved to Pierrepont, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and received his preliminary edu- cation in the common schools, and in the St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, N. Y. He taught school several years, and after- ward studied medicine with Dr. J. C. Pres- ton, of Canton, N. Y., and with Henry R. Haskins, of Albany. He graduated at Albany Medical College, December 23, 1872. He commenced practice in Theresa, Febru- ary 3, 1873. He married Clara, daughter of B. Palmer Cheeseman, of Theresa, Janu- ary 27, 1876. They have four children : Howard R., Rupert P., Laura A. and Mir- iam L. Dr. Sturtevant stands high with the people of Theresa, for he is an able and discreet practioner, and a most agreeable and courteous gentleman-inviting friend- ship by being friendly. We predict for him a brilliant future, for he is a faithful

student and keeps well up with the medical literature of the day. He has an interesting family. No man can live 22 years in Ther- esa without becoming very much attached to the place.

ISAAC L. HUNTINGTON, EsQ., is the son of George and Mary (Clark) Huntington, and was born in Society Land, Hillsborough county, N. H., June 24, 1810 He moved to Alexandria in 1826, and to what is now Theresa, in 1828. He was married, January 24, 1836, to Sally Leonard, of Fullerville, N. Y., who died in Theresa 54 years later. They had four sons : Gilbert, who died at the age of 10; Isaac L., Jr., of Watertown, who was lieutenant in Company F, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and afterwards captain ; George B., a lieutenant in Capt. Houghton's Company, 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; Nathan, who served in the navy in the North Atlantic squadron during the Civil War, and Abner, now of Watertown. The subject of this sketch is one of the few living who saw Theresa in her early struggles for existence. He was a cabinet-maker and painter by trade. He has always stood high in the es- teem of his neighbors, and for 32 successive years was justice of the peace, and three terms Justice of Sessions. He still lives, at 85, and in good health. The author of this History obtained some knowledge of the law from Esquire Huntington in the year he spent at Theresa trying cases in Justices' court.

JESSE S. DOOLITTLE was born in Water- town in 1805, and in 1819 removed to this town (then Alexandria), and located on road 24. He married Maria Cummings, of Rut- land, and they had four sons and one daugh- ter, of whom one son, Jesse, died February 19, 1864, aged 19 years, and four survive, viz : Mary M. and Charles T., who reside on road 42, in this town; Liberty C., of Watertown, and Edwin A., of Clayton .. In the summer Mary M. and Charles T. occupy their summer hotel on road 20}. Their mother died in 1860, aged 47 years, and their father in 1885, aged 80 years.

GIDEON SNELL, SR., one of the oldest resi- dents of the town of Theresa, was born in Manheim, Herkimer county, August 21, 1807. His early days were spent in pro curing such an education as the scattering schools afforded and in drawing and marketing pro- duce in Albany. While at school Gideon proved an apt student, showing many char- acteristics which he still retains. At the age of 20 he married Katie Shults, of his native town, and began a married life which con- tinued 67 years, Mrs. Snell dying February 4, 1894. Eight children were born to them, viz: Ann Eliza, Ellen, Anna, Amanda, and Jacob, Gideon, and George Snell, all of whom are living except Ann Eliza and Ellen. During the construction of the Erie canal and the New York Central railroad Mr. Snell

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acted as superintendent over a portion of the work. The family having acquaintances in Jefferson county, and hearing of the advan- tages there, decided to remove, and in 1837 settled in the town of Orleans. They re- mained here but three years, moving back to Brocket's Bridge (now Dolgeville) in 1840. However, they again moved to Jefferson county in 1842, where they have since resided. Mr. Snell is a man of marked personality, very decided in his opinions and not easily turned from his belief, an ardent Republican and a true Christian, although he belongs to no church. He is now in his 89th year, and is remarkably well preserved in both body and mind. He is a great reader and takes much interest in the leading topics of the day. The author of this History well re- members Mr. Snell as an industrious, perse- vering and successful farmer. His mind is yet clear, and he delights to renew old friend- ships, for he is and always was a friendly man. His two sons are worthy of their an- cestry. On p. 696 an error in the type makes us say that at their fine roller-mill they could flour 15 barrels a day. It should have read 115 barrels.

SYLVESTER BODMAN was born in Williams- burg, Mass., about 1781. February 10, 1810, he married Relief, daughter of Martin Burt, and they had born to them, while in Williamsburg, five children, namely ; Mir- anda, Martin Luther, Martin B., Sophronia and Sylvester. In 1820 they removed to this town, where their youngest son, Atwood R., was born, near where is now the village of Theresa, then a wilderness. Mrs. Bodman, Atwood R's. mother, attained the extreme age of 104 years, and died in this town. In 1858 Atwood R. married Fanny, daughter of Jacob Chrysler, of Theresa, and the same year built a new residence on the old home- stead farm, where they have since resided.

WILLIAM D. CHAPMAN (son of Dudley Chapman, who was one of the early settlers of Theresa), was born in that town in 1820, and has been a resident of Theresa all his life. He learned to be a carpenter and joiner, but afterwards his natural ingenuity led him into watch repairing; then into the jewelry trade, and finally to become an extensive manufacturer of fishing tackle, in which he was engaged for over 30 years. He is still active and well able to repair watches and clocks. Mr. Chapman has been a much re- spected citizen of Theresa for many years. In 1844 he married Mary Ryan, and they reared six children, four of whom are living. His life-partner is yet spared to share his earthly pilgrimage.

JOHN D. DAVISON, long a practicing physi- cian at Theresa, was born in 1793 in Otsego county. He had the benefits of the common schools of that vicinity, graduating in 1822 from the Herkimer County (Fairfield) Medi- cal College. He first came to Pamelia, but soon took up Theresa as his permanent loca- tion, where he practiced medicine most suc- cessfully until his death in 1865, a period of

over 40 years. He was elected to the Legis- lature in 1846, and served to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituency. In 1824 he married Miss Elizabeth Helmer, and they reared five children. Dr. Davison was a popular man, quite an extensive Democratic politician, and one of the most industrious and persevering practitioners of medicine in the county. During his long service as a physician many young men graduated from his office, all of whom became successful practitioners.

HORATIO STILL, now in his 85th year, was born in Pamelia in 1810, coming to Theresa in 1824 with his parents, among the earliest settlers of that town. He was a prosperous and most persevering farmer. In 1842 he married Miss Minerva Maltby, and they reared two children. Mr. Still has resided con- tinuously upon the farm where his early life was passed. He was a very determined Whig in politics, though never an office- seeker.

ZALMON POOL was born in Russia, Her- kimer county, in 1793. He married Harriet Prindle in 1815, by whom he had 11 children, four of whom died in infancy and seven attained maturity, viz: Freeman J. (de- ceased), Charles, Betsey E., Zalmon, 3d, Har- riet, Zerviah (deceased), and Clarissa. Mr. Pool, about two years after his marriage in 1817, moved from Trenton, Oneida county, to this town and built a log cabin on a farm near Moose Lake, which farm is now in the possession of his descendants. Charles Pool married Mary Ann Timerman, of LeRay, and they have had two daughters, Ada L., who died at the age of 13 years, and Mary.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 150

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