Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 151

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

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JOHN MOAK came into Theresa in 1841, a carriage maker by trade, and became a re- spected and very useful citizen. He married for his first wife Miss Nancy Davison, and after her death he married her sister, Miss Charlotte. They reared four children, who were all faithful members of society. Mr. Moak was Master of Theresa Lodge for many years, his son was a Master, and his son's wife's father was also a Master. Mr. Moak died in 1873. His wife died in 1883, thus ending an honorable and industrious family.

REV. JOSEPH A. CANFIELD .- Limited in his friendships only by the number that have known him, this worthy divine merits a prominent place in the history of Jefferson county. For over half a century he has been prominently associated with the relig- ious and moral interests of the people, and I doubt if there is a man living in Jefferson county who is more universally beloved by all classes than Mr. Canfield. He was born at East Haddam, Conn., April 11, 1813. His father was Ira Canfield, a sea-captain, who perished by shipwreck in the memorable gale of September 23, 1815, when Joseph was not yet three years old. His mother was Melinda Buckingham, cousin of Hon. W. A. Buckingham, ex-governor of Con- necticut and ex-United States Senator. She was left a widow with eight small children and with but scanty means of support, but

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they all lived (excepting one who died young) to bless their mother by honorable careers. May 10, 1843, he married Harriet Jane Gates, whose companionship was to him an ever-present blessing, and who was indeed an help-meet, not only in the sanctity of their own home, but in the life-work in which he proved to be so successful. She died November 4, 1891, at Antwerp. Mr. Canfield was educated at Essex and Madison Academies, Conn., Oneida (N. Y.) Institute, and at Andover Theological Seminary. Sep- tember 1, 1845, he became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Chaumont, continu- ing thus for 21 years, during which time the society grew from a mere handful of wor- shippers to a thriving church. It was during his pastorate and largely through his efforts that the present church edifice was erected. He also preached at the LaFargeville, Depau- ville and other towns. September 1, 1863, he was appointed chaplain of Clinton prison, which position he filled with signal ability for nearly six years. In May, 1869, he was called to the Congregational Church at Antwerp, where for five years he was equally successful and during which time the pres- ent handsome church edifice was erected and dedicated to the worship of God. His pas- torate then was marked by a large and sub- stantial growth in the membership and influence of the church. From 1874 to 1876 he was chaplain of Sing Sing prison.

April 22, 1877, he began his labors in Theresa Presbyterian Church stated supply. He found the church in debt, and depending in part upon synodical aid to pay the minister's salary. Upon the promise of its members to try and pay the debt and also to be self-sustaining he accepted an engage- mont and set about at once the accomplish- ment of the objects sought for. It was during the beginning of this struggle that Mr. John Flower, visiting Theresa, observed the situation, and conceived the idea which culminated two years later in the erection of the beautiful Flower Memorial church. After the dedication of this church Mr. Canfield was installed as its pastor, remain- ing as such five years longer. He then re- tired on account of ill health, and although in more or less active service up to the pres- ent time, has not since accepted the pastorate of any church. He now resides with his adopted daughter, Mrs. Myers, in Elmira. In his pastoral work he has ever sought to preach the gospel of love; to make religion the most attractive thing upon earth, and among those converted to God under his preaching may be counted hundreds of the most substantial residents of this county. In his prison work he was a blessing to the unfortunates under his care, and many erring ones have gone forth again into the world in- spired by his words of encouragement to lead better lives.

JESSE D. MOAK .- Among the business men of Theresa, and especially among Free Masons, the name of Jesse Moak will be long

and pleasantly remembered. He was born in Danube, Herkimer county, N. Y., June 17, 1831, and was the son of John Moak, who was also an esteemed citizen as well as an eminent Mason, and who, like the son, was for many years the chief officer of the Masonic bodies in Theresa. The subject of this sketch, at an early age, became an active Christian and was a member of the Presby- terian Church. He married Mary Jane, daughter of Dr. John D. Davison, who prac- ticed medicine in Theresa for 45 years, and was also well known in Masonic circles as well as in medicine. Mr. Moak became a member of Theresa Lodge and Chapter when quite young. He rapidly rose to the occu- pancy of the highest office in the gift of the lodge, which he filled to the delight of its members for 11 years. He afterwards be- came the beloved High Priest of Theresa Chapter, No. 149, R. A. M., and held the office by the continued unanimous choice of its members for 17 consecutive years until his death, which occurred November 27, 1886, without a moment's warning, while conversing pleasantly with his wife at their home. He was by occupation a carriage- maker, and held several offices of public trust. He was buried with Masonic honors. In his social nature there was much sunshine and wit, which always brought happiness and often peals of laughter. His pleasantry was always of the purest character and he was respected by all. His children were the late Mrs. G. P. Evans, and Mrs. George P. Breen, of this village.

MRS. RELIEF BODMAN was one of the most honored and well remembered acquaintances of the author of this History during his resi- dence for six years in Theresa, previous to 1857. She was an unusually intelligent and devoted mother, the large family which she had reared honoring her not only as the source of their life, but as the honored guide of their youthful as well as mature years. Her family was an united one, and they justified by their lives the example she had set for them to follow. She was born in the Massachusetts Colony, six years after the Declaration of Independence, her life pre- ceding by several years the adoption of the National or State Constitution. Her father's family (the Burts) was of that primitive stock whose descendants have made the Black River country a land of churches and of school-houses-repeating here the methods which made New England a grand nursery of patriotism, domestic felicity, and real capacity. She was first a thrifty house- keeper, then a school-teacher, and then, in her 28th year she married Sylvester Bodman, coming to the Black River country in 1821, settling at Theresa upon the farm where some of the family so long resided. By her mother's side she was related to the Pom- eroys, and her cousin, the Kansas Senator of that name, came from his distant home to deliver an address at Theresa on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday. Our brief

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space will not permit us to make more than a slight reference to Mrs. Bodman. We can sum up all by saying, as we have said of but few in this History, that she was one of those brave women who in solitude, amid strange dangers, and heavy toil, reared families and made homes-counting it gain to minister to her children and to her friends, and doing in her church relation the work which falls to educated and capable women. She was cer- tainly a most unique and interesting person- ality, one whom to have known leaves a memory never wholly effaced. She lived to be 104 years, and died universally lamented. Indeed "A mother in Israel."

RODNEY SIMONS, who served in the War of 1812, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1794. He was twice married, first, to a Miss Smith, by whom he had two children, Wil- liam and Mary Ann. In 1828 he married Polly P., daughter of Rev. William Bogart, who was born in Canada in 1808. At the time of their marriage they lived in the town of Alexandria, and their first home was estab- lished at Brown's Corners. Five sons and two daughters were born to them, namely : Rodney I., Sarah J., Nelson E., John H., Henry C., Demane E and Hattie C. They moved several times, first locating in Alexandria Bay, then in Proctor Bay. Soon after this the family removed to this town and located near Red Lake, in the then wilderness country. Nelson E. now owns the old homestead on the island in Red Lake, and occupies with his family the log house built by his father. In those early days the settlers depended a great deal upon their hunting, and fur-bearing animals and wild game were successfully trapped and hunted. Nelson E. Simons married Ann, daughter of Thomas and Mary Pittston, by whom he has had six daughters and one son, namely : Mary C., Cora A., Helen E., Sarah J., Tacie M., Clara E. and Mark E. The latter died at the age of seven years. Mary C. married Sylvester Bodman. Helen E. married Arthur A. Nash, and resides near the home of her father, at Red Lake.

GODFREY WALRADT was born in Allegany county in 1816, whence he removed to Cherry Valley, Otsego county, where he married Maria Walradt, by whom he had two sons and one daughter, namely : Dorman, Wil- liam and Helen M. (Mrs. Loren F. Shurtliff), of Theresa. William married Emma Park- hurst, and Dorman married Nancy Shurtliff, both of this town. Dorman has two sons, George D. and James H. George D. married Ida L., daughter of Frank M. Peck, of Theresa.

WILLIAM K. BUTTERFIELD, a native of the town of Rutland, married Mary Thomas, by whom he had two children, Mary E. and Julius F. The latter at the age of 15, en- listed in Company D, 35th N. Y. Volunteers. After the war he removed to Ottawa, La- Salle county, Illinois, where he learned the tinsmiths' trade, and worked in the same shop for 15 years. He married Amelia M.,

daughter of Lewis Barrett, of Theresa, and they again located in the West and remained nine years. Three sons is the result of this union, namely : Lewis W., Charles H and Allen C. Mr. Butterfield now resides in this town on road 58.

JOHN SEYMOUR was born in Plattsburgh, Clinton county, in 1845. He was educated in the common schools, and learned the trade of stone mason and plasterer, at which he worked until the breaking out of the Rebel- - lion. August 2, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany A, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was discharged June 23, 1865, at Petersburg, Va. He married Eliza, daughter of George P. Fox, of this town, in 1865, and they have three children, namely : Albert, Adelaide and Maggie.

ALTHOUGH Theresa is one of the youngest towns of the county, it has a distinct history, and has been the home of many very bright men. It is not a wealthy town, and that may be the reason why its people are so democratic in manner-considering them- selves always as fit to stand before kings without abasement. They have always been an industrious people, in the early days being forced to labor for bread. But as time has rolled on, the town has become more advanced and refined, and where were once unsightly log-houses are now more con- venient and pretentious dwellings. The land of the town is peculiarly fruitful, but there is much of rock and cliff. It is a romantic town, with many beautiful lakes.

The following sketch was crowded out of its place in the town of Watertown, and is given here instead :

THE CALHOUN FAMILY, well remembered by our older readers (one of the earlier ones having been a publisher of newspapers in Watertown, and the first one to start a print- ing office in Chicago), were for a long time a numerous and much respected family in Watertown. Most of them have removed. Chauncey, the progenitor in Watertown, was born in Connecticut in 1776, and died in Watertown in July, 1856. He was a builder, and all his life was a busy, persevering man -looked up to by his fellow-citizens and craftsmen. His wife was Sarah Edwards- Paddock, and they reared eight children : Ebenezer, Alvin, Mary, John, Nancy Char- lotte, Chauncey, Jr., Charles and Sarah Elizabeth. Ebenezer Calhoun, Jr., son of the Ebenezer named above, was born in Watertown, August 22, 1835, and has always been known as an industrious, hard-working man. He was a soldier in the 94th Regi- ment, and served with credit to himself and to the cause. In 1861 he had married Susan Catharine Lane, but they had no children. She died in 1873. In 1874 he married Mary Jane Ball, and they have reared two chil- dren.

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

CAPT. ELIAS GETMAN, son of Jacob and Lena (Suits) Getman, was born August 1, 1824, in Fulton County, N. Y. His parents having removed with their family to Jefferson county, the subject of this shetch received his education in the common schools. He learned the carpenter's trade with the late Amaziah Ellis, of Plessis. He was very suc- cessful as a contractor and builder. He mar- ried, September 26, 1846, Sophia Evans, daughter of Columbus Evans, of Alexandria. Four children were born to them : Edgar, Edward, Edwin and Edson (four E's). Ed- win died in infancy. The other three now constitute the firm of Getman Bros., proprie- tors of the Getman House at Theresa, and the American House at Canton. In August, 1862, Mr. Getman enlisted in Co. F, 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and in September following was commissioned second lieuten- ant. He was present in many battles, notably those of Petersburg, Cold Harbor and Ber- muda Hundred, until the surrender of Lee. He was popular with those under his com- mand, as well as with his superiors, and for executive ability, untiring fidelity to every duty, he was soon promoted and commissioned as captain of Co. A, of the same regiment. After the close of the war he was retained for special service for some months at Peters- burg, returning to his Redwood home in the fall of 1865. In the spring of 1866 he pur- chased the old brick hotel at Theresa, and with the assistance of his excellent wife, at once transformed its interior into one of the most popular hostelries in Northern New York. As a citizen, landlord, neighbor, friend and soldier, Elias Getman was exceed- ingly and deservedly popular. He died much respected, after having completed plans for a new hotel to replace the old one. He was buried with Masonic honors, on which oc- casion was assembled the largest Masonic body ever congregated in the town.

REV. WILSON F. BALL, the present pastor of the Methodist Church in Theresa, is the youngest son of Sinecy Ball, one of the first settlers of Theresa, contemporaneous with Ebenezer Lull, the Bodmans, the Shurtliffs, Abraham Morrow and Nathan M. Flower. He was a man of exemplary character, uni- versally respected as a citizen, a patriot and a Christian. He died in 1877. Wilson F. was born June 30, 1834, the youngest of 11 children, of whom eight reached maturity. He began trying to educate himself for the ministry as soon as he could be spared from the labors of the farm, in his 19th year. From that time he kept himself in school by the earnings of his own industry, teaching winters and working on the farm through haying and harvesting. He also took a hand at carpenter work, which was a calling pur- sued by him until the opening of the War of the Rebellion. In 1661, in company with another young man, he raised a company for

cavalry service. On the day preceding the one designated for the organization of the company, notice was received from the adjutant general that they could not be re- ceived as a company, but as individuals. Twenty-three of the men went to Potsdam and enlisted as privates. Subsequently the subject of our sketch was made sergeant. In front of Yorktown he was made sergeant- major. After the battle of Fair Oaks he was sent to Washington sick, but rejoined his regiment at Harrison's Landing, from which place he was sent home on recruiting service. Later he returned to his regiment at Suffolk, where he was made orderly sergeant. At Kingston, N. C., he was breveted 1st lieutenant for gallantry in battle, by Colonel, afterward General L. C. Hunt, but before the commission reached him he was mustered out of service under an order for consolidation, and returned home to engage in teaching. He was principal of the Academy in Canton, N. Y., two years; at Union Free School at Car- thage, N. Y., two years; and of the Acad- emy and Union Free School, at Massena, N. Y., three years. In 1868 he entered the Methodist ministry. He married, October 2, 1862, Miss Kate Mosher, and they have three sons, one of whom is general agent for the Prudential Life Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio; another is a merchant at Massena, N. Y., and one residing at home. Mr. Ball is a pleasant gentleman to meet-a most devoted Christian minister, successful in his ministry and a desirable citizen always. His family sprang from good old Revolution- ary stock. Mr. H. M. Ball, long a merchant of Watertown, is of the same generic blood, and on page 286 of this History is shown the muster-roll of a company of artillery, in which an ancestor (Nehemiah Ball), was named as one of the officers on duty.

MR. E. D. SHELEY has been for several years the leading manufacturer at Theresa, his specialties being wood-work for the use of plumbers in constructing closets. He has found from experience that the situation at Theresa, handicapped as he was by the ex- pense of hauling his lumber up from the depot to his mill, and the heavy railroad freights, made it an undesirable point for manufacturing. He has begun to remove his machinery to Lowville, Lewis county, where he is upon one of the main stems of the R., W. & O. R. R. system, and some 40 miles nearer a market, besides being nearer the lumber forests. His intention is to per- manently remove his whole plant. This, in addition to losing the chair industry, has proven quite a serious blow to Theresa as a manufacturing centre. Mr. Sheley is an ex- ceptionally honorable and progressive citizen, and his loss is to be deplored. His family are at present in Theresa, and a portion of his business is yet (1895) conducted there.

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JAMES CASEY, now a successful merchant at Theresa, is a living evidence of what push, and industry, and courage can accomplish. He was born in 1839, near Ft. Covington, N. Y., came to Theresa in 1852, completing there his common sohool education. His first effort to secure work was successful, having been hired for general farm labor by the late Edward Cooper, on trial at $9.00 for one month. The trial month ended, he was hired for six months, and became the trusted and permanent employe. He had almost com- plete oversight of the farm at the time of Mr. Cooper's death, when he took the farm on a three-year lease. At the end of the first year he had cleared $1,500. He then purchased the Miller farm, and ran the two places simultaneously. At the expiration of his lease he had saved enough to pay the entire cost of the Miller farm. He subsequently purchased the two adjoining farms, and his homestead place now comprises over 200 acres. For the past 15 years he has been an extensive purchaser of hay for shipment. In 1890 he went into general merchandise at Theresa, and, having taken into business his two sons, the firm name is James Casey & Sons. He is a pushing, progressive, enter- prising man.

SINECY BALL, the eldest son of Nehemiah and Esther Sally Ball, was born In Eliza- bethtown, September 24, 1778. He came in- to Jefferson county among the very earliest settlers, his father having moved to Utica as early as 1796. He was an honored citizen of Theresa for many years, contemporaneous with the Bodmans, Chapmans, Lulls, Cheese- mans, and the other early ones. He reared a family and died early in the fifties. His youngest son is the talented pastor of the M. E. Church in Theresa. A daughter also sur- vives, Mrs. Emeline Clough, of Cape Vincent.

FRANKLIN PARKER, son of Alexander, no- ticed in the biographies of Watertown, re- ceived a common school education, with a short term in the Academy at Watertown, became himself a teacher for five years, and went into general merchandising in Theresa in 1842, was successful from the start. Elected to the Legislature in 1855, he has held all the town offices withinthe gift of the people. He has been a persevering, capable and progressive citizen, always a pronounced Democrat, and enjoys, in his 78th year, the unchallenged respect of all who know him.

ICHABOD THOMPSON .- Although Ichabod Thompson was not one of the earliest set- tlers of Theresa, he was for so many years a resident there and so long a prominent busi- ness man that we think him worthy of mention. He was born in 1800, one of three brothers who came early into what is now Alexandria, from Newville, Herkimer county, and chopped and cleared lands, pushing back the wilderness in the work of rearing homes. In 1835 he removed to Theresa, and engaged in general merchandise with his relative, Mr. Alexander Salisbury. The partnership continued until 1850, when

Mr. Thompson removed to Redwood, becom- ing a partner in the glass business there, the firm being composed of DeZeng, Burlin- game, Salisbury and Thompson. After re- maining in the glass business about two years, Mr. Thompson removed to Copenhagen, Lewis county, purchasing an extensive busi- ness, comprising a grist-mill, cheese-box factory and other branches of manufacturing. For 14 laborious years he was engaged at Copenhagen, when he removed to Adams and purchased the real estate known as the Mendell property. He died at Adams in his 65th year, respected by all, one of the best known men in Jefferson county. He was a sound and pushing business man, securing, by his candor and honorable methods the respect and confidence of every community where his lot was cast. In politics he was a Whig, and then an Abolitionist. His almost daily prayer was that he might be spared long enough to see slavery abolished, and his earnest prayer was granted. He gave his most promising son to the Union army, and took so great an interest in the cause, that he went to the very front on a visit to his son, and remained with the 35th Regiment neorly two weeks, where the writer met him when our out-posts were close up to the rebel videttes. His son, John D., served through to the end, two years in the 35th and over two years in the 20th Cavalry. He is now a resident of Watertown.

DR. OLIVER BREWSTER came to Theresa from St. Lawrence county, about 1843. He was a lineal descendant of the May-Flower Brewsters, so celebrated in the early annals of New England. He was a devoted geolo- gist, a good botanist, a rough diamond with individualities so marked as to reach the borders of eccentricity. He had two chil- dren, both girls, one of whom died while young ; the other married Dr. Babcock, and they removed to Springfield, Illinois, in 1864, near which city the Doctor acquired much celebrity and a large practice, and there he died about 1876, much respected for his many noble qualities. His wife still sur- vives him, residing at Springfield, Illinois. The Doctor's only son succeeded to his father's practice, and is a skillful and well- known physician. 4

DR. E. R. BABCOCK, who was one of the writer's closest associates while residing at Theresa, graduated from a Vermont Medical College, after having been a student in the office of Dr. Brewster, at Theresa. He mar- ried Miss Martha, the surviving daughter of Dr. Brewster, and Dr. Babcock left a re- munerative practice at Theresa to accept a position as assistant surgeon in the Union army. He had charge of the medical de- partment of the depot camp at Springfield, Illinois, under Brigadier General James Oakes, which position he held until the close of the war. He was a most meritorious and popular officer, fully meeting all the demands upon his skill and patience, and became so popular at Springfield that he made it his

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home, finally settling at Rochester, six miles from the State capitol, where he purchased land, and had a most successful and remuner- ative practice. His influence as a citizen was of the best, and when he died the people mourned as for one of kindred blood. He left a very capable son, also graduated from a medical college, to succeed him in his busi- ness and large practice. His widow yet survives him, a lady of most gracious and pleasing manner and refinement. She re- sides in the city of Springfield, Ill.

NICHOLAS D. YOST, for many years the most prosperous and prominent farmer in Theresa, came into that town from Johns- town, N. Y., with his wife and infant daughter in 1837. He was the son of Wm. and Dorcas (Doxtater) Yost, and one of 11 children. Nicholas D. was born in Johns- town, November 20, 1808. There he passed his youth, and acquired such education as the common schools afforded. When he came into what was then Alexandria, he purchased 250 acres of land, and went reso- lutely to work to make a home. In this he succeeded to the fullest extent. His farm became one of the best in the town, and he is well remembered as a pushing, honorable and wealthy man. He died September 5, 1870, and is buried in the new cemetery at Theresa, his last resting-place marked by a noble monument. Mr. Yost left a large family, two of his children yet remaining in Theresa, the Hon. George E. Yost and Mrs. Melville Cornwall. The aged widow of Mr. Yost still survives, an honored member of society at Theresa, and one of the few brave women who in solitude, amid strange dangers and heavy toil, reared families and made homes.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 151

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