Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 158

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

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REV. OSGOOD E. HERRICK, D. D.

THE Rev. Osgood E. Herrick, D. D., Post Chaplain U. S. Army, retired, who now resides in Watertown, spent his boyhood in this county. He was born April 25, 1836, in Windsor, Vt. His father, the late Samuel Herrick, removed his family to this county in 1839, and to Watertown in 1846. Rev. Dr. Herrick was ordained to the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church by the late Bishop DeLancey, January 15, 1851. His first parish was in Adams, this county. In 1853 he became rector of Christ Church, Manlius, N. Y., and in 1856 he became rector of St. Pauls Church, Key West, Florida, which office he held 13 years, including the years of the Civil War. In 1864 President Lincoln, having learned that he was the only clergyman in the South who had not changed or omitted the stated prayers for the Presi- dent and Congress of the United States, had him appointed Post Chaplain in the United States Army. In 1870 he was ordered to Fort Warren, Boston, Mass., and in 1875 to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where he re- mained till he was retired, "by operation of law," having reached the age when all

officers of the army are retired from active service. While in Key West, he and his wife passed through several seasons of yel- low fever. he having it twice and his wife once. Before his leaving Key West, General T. W. Sherman issued an order, of which the following is a part :

* *

2. To Rev. Osgood E. Herrick, Chaplain U. S. A., and his estimable wife. There is probably not a single officer or soldier stricken down who does not feel greatly indebted for their sympathies and their kind and constant attentions.

The arduous services, too, of the Chaplain, both as pastor and friend, among the stricken in the city as well as in garrison, were unremitting to the extent of sacrificing his own health for the good of others. Contrary to the advice of the commanding officer and his physician, this officer insisted upon keeping his post in spite of ill health, and continuing in the performance of every duty-official, pastoral, and social-until this epidemic was stayed; and he has thereby shown how well the great military virtue of self-sacrifice combines with the higlier virtues of religion. By order of

* * BREV. MAJ GEN. T. W. SHERMAN. * * *

And when he was retired, the command- ing officer of Fort Monroe issued the follow- ing order :

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REV. OSGOOD E. HERRICK, D. D.

FORT MONROE, VIRGINIA, April 28th, 1890. * * *

* * *

V. The Reverend Osgood E. Herrick, Post Chap- lain, having attained the age fixed by law, is retired from active service. In thus severing his official relations with those among whom he has served so long, Chaplain Herrick takes with him the affection and regard of all who have been the recipients of his faithful ministrations. His nobility of character and devotion to the duties of his sacred office will ever make his welfare and happiness the object of their most earnest solicitude.

* *

BY ORDER OF LIEUT. COLONEL FRANK.

The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. He is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, "having been specially distinguished for faithful services in maintaining the honor, integrity and supremacy of the Government of the United States." He was married May 16,

1853, to Miss Charlotte Willard Smith, whose mother and the mothers of Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, and of the late General H. W. Halleck, U. S. Army, were sisters. Dr. and Mrs. Herrick have the honor of having had for their friends many of the distinguished men of the country, including the late Gen- erals Winfield Scott, Meigs, Woodbury, Sey- mour, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, French, Brannan, Barry, Gillen, Getty, Mcclellan, Hancock, McDowell, Reynolds, and others of the army; also Admirals Farragut, Porter, Paulding, Bailey, Wilkes, Fairfax, Craven, Scott, Alden, Trenchard, Sems, and others of the navy.

The loyalty of Dr. Herrick among those fire-brands of secession in the days when a Union man in the South was counted as a public enemy, required peculiar courage, joined to a high sense of duty.

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WATERTOWN.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

REV. CHARLES G. FINNEY, D. D .- The county of Jefferson has not been behind other portions of the State in the number and ability of the great preachers who have from time to time become prominent within her borders before going out into the "wide, wide world," and demonstrating upon a broader theatre the ability which they pos- sessed. One of these, a most peculiar and entirely unique character, was the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, whose life will be found somewhat briefly delineated among the early residents of Adams. [See index.] There was one of these preachers, however, who was destined to become more widely known than Mr. Burchard, and to leave a lasting impres- sion upon his contemporaries. The Rev. Charles Finney, D. D., for many years presi- dent of the Oberlin (O.) College, was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1792, and was spared to perform great labors, living to be nearly 83 years of age. He came early to Jefferson county and began to study law at Adams. In early manhood he gave evidence of un- usual independence of character, and force and clearness of intellect. During this period of his life he manifested an indifference and even antagonism to religion, which caused him to be regarded as a dangerous companion for young men ; but, under the influence of the revival of 1821, he embraced religion, and in 1824 commenced the career of a preacher. He at first decided not to enter the pastoral office, but labored as an evangelist, with marked and wonderful success, for more than 10 years. Unquestionably, President Fin- ney's greatest power was displayed in this field. Many are the anecdotes told of his power and fervor as a preacher of the gospel. În 1835 he went to the infant colony and col- lege of Oberlin, then just established, at the earnest request of its founders, and became professor of theology in that institution-a position he held for more than 40 years. The entering upon this new field of labor, did not, however, lead to his abandoning the old. In 1848 he visited England, remaining for three years. In 1851, on his return, he was elected president of Oberlin College, and held the office until 1866, when he resigned, retaining, however, his theological professor- ship. Mr. Finney was a voluminous writer on religious and theological subjects. His principal published works are Lectures on Revivals, Lectures to Professing Christians, Sermons on Important Subjects, Lectures on Systematic Theology and Guide to the Saviour, all of which have passed through several editions, in this country and in Eng- land. Up to the time of his death, President Finney retained those physical characteristics which made him a distinguished man in any assembly. His tall and erect form was un- bent by age, his eagle eye had lost none of its keenness, and his hair and beard were but slightly touched with gray. His extreme

age, however, made it necessary for him to restrict his labors, and he attempted very little beyond his lectures in the theological department of the college. It may truth- fully be said that but few men had the power so strongly to mould and influence those with whom they came in contact as he. As a revival preacher he was probably with- out an equal since Whitfield ; as a writer on theology and moral philosophy he has left some memorable works behind him. His useful life closed at Oberlin, O., in 1875.

CHARLES DAYAN SMITH, long a prominent manufacturer and merchant of Watertown, was the son of Anson Smith, an early settler of Rutland, coming from Connecticut, who had married Miss Polly Smith in his native State before removal to the Black River country, and they brought two children with them ; five more were born to them in Rut- land. He settled on the State road, and there lived until his death, in 1847. He was a farmer as well as tanner and currier, and manufactured a large amount of leather, the small stream upon his farm being especially adapted for the use he desired in making a complete tannery. He was an energetic, thrifty man, seldom obliged to borrow, but usually lending money. He was a model citizen, blameless in his life, honored by his children and neighbors. Charles D., his son, had the benefits of the excellent common schools of Rutland, completing his scholastic education in the Academy at Champion, where Hon. Lysander H. Brown was the controlling spirit. He soon became a farmer, buying land of his own, and later falling into possession of his father's farm by the terms of the will. In 1844 he married Miss Sabra Andrus, and they reared three children, Ada, Emma and Alida A. In 1847 Mr. Smith removed to Watertown, and within a year he formed a partnership with Mr. Richard VanNamee, a practical cabinet- maker. They continued in business for nearly 20 years, being the largest manufac- turers and dealers in furniture in Northern New York. His failing health induced Mr. Smith finally to withdraw from the firm, and he was soon thereafter obliged to give up all active business. Consumption at last carried him off, in 1870. He is buried in beautiful Brookside. Mr. Smith was a peculiarly kind-hearted, sympathetic man. Those who were the closest to him loved him best. He was a partizan Democrat, and at first thought the war ought to have been avoided, but before its close he clearly saw the imminence and necessity of the struggle, and was a War Democrat thenceforth. In manner he was gentlemanly, though some- what reserved. He was a good citizen, and much lamented at his death. His amiable companion for so many years yet survives him, as does also his eldest daughter, Mrs. James W. Tower, of Rochester, N. Y. His

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second daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Tubbs, died in August, 1894, a most beautiful and interesting personality, with a fine mind and a charming manner. He death was deeply mourned by her friends, and the whole city shared in sympathy with those who lost so much when Emma died. Like her father, she died from a wasting consumption. and they sleep together in Brookside. The youngest daughter, Miss Alida, died in the very opening flower of her youth, almost yet a child. She was a wonderfully lovely young girl, and her early death was for a long time deeply mourned. The writer knew these people well, for Mr. Smith's children and his own were very intimate. They were an unusually closely united fam- ily, loving each other in a marked degree. The parents always seemed the companions of the children, and for them to be separated by death was a correspondingly cruel hard- ship, scarcely able to be borne. But their divine faith and trust enables those who sur- vive to say, "It is well."

WINSLOW PATTRIDGE, long a resident of Watertown, was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, July 1, 1791. He was of a fam- ily of 12 children, being the fourth son of Joseph and Sarah Pattridge, both of whom were of New England birth. His father was of Scotch descent; but his mother, Sarah Warren, was a daughter of Captain Warren, and a near relative of General Warren of the Revolutionary War, and supposed to be of English descent. His father was a farmer by occupation. He lived at home until he was of age, and then went for himself, and for the first few years learned the cloth- dressing and wool-carding business. Entered a partnership with Jonathan Wood in the same business, in Otsego county, and re- mained there for two years, and in the year 1818 removed to Jefferson county, settling where the city of Watertown now is. Previ- ous to leaving Otsego county, in 1816, he married Miss Levina Wood, daughter of Jonathan Wood, of Massachusetts, and of English descent. On coming to Watertown he at once commenced his business of cloth- dressing and wool-carding, and after a few years erected a building and began the manu- facture of cloth. This business he continued until the year 1846, and accumulated a fine property. He rented his mill and retired from active business, but the next year his mill was burned, which resulted in a total loss to him. They reared ten children, five of whom died while young. Julia Ann mar- ried Luther J. Dorwin, Esq., an attorney of Watertown, and resides in this city. Robert Kirkwood married Miss Catherine Seaver, and resides in California. He went there early in 1850, and has been successful. Levina E. and Caroline M. reside at home. Mr. Pattridge died June 2, 1864, in his 73d year. His widow survived him many years. She was numbered among the living repre- sentative pioneer women of Jefferson county. Mr. Pattridge was a kind husband, father

and friend, and a useful and much-esteemed citizen, and left with his family a more valuable legacy than money, "the example and influence of a pure life." His industry was phenomenal, his probity unchallenged, his success amply merited.

MAJOR JOSEPH CURTIS, eldest son of Winslow Pattridge, was born in Richfield, N. Y., April 10, 1817, dying at Watertown in May, 1857, in his 41st year. In early life he received the best advantages of the fine schools of Watertown, graduating finally at Union College in 1837. He then studied law with Judge Isaac H. Bronson, and was after- wards appointed an examiner in chancery, an office abolished with the old Court of Chancery. The law was never a congenial pursuit to Mr. Pattridge, and in 1847 he was appointed a Paymaster in the Army of Mex- ico with the rank of Major, following the fortunes of Gen. Taylor's division until the close of the war, when he was still retained in the service, becoming one of the pay- masters of the regular army. Major Pat- tridge was a man of more than average ability. While not a great man, he was one who came readily to the front wherever his lot was cast. He was eminently independ- ent, thinking out the different problems that confront every observing man, but he did it in his own way, rejecting the ideas of others until fully confirmed by his own judgment. He was a man of quick and active sym- pathies, was popular in the old army, and was spared the beholding of what came after him-the dreadful Civil War, where brothers from the same cradle and fire-side fought against each other in fratricidal strife. Major Pattridge sleeps in Brookside.

JOSEPH ATWELL, long a resident of Water- town, and for some dozen years a merchant in Theresa, was born in Pharsalia, Chenango county, N. Y., November 12, 1822. His father was Rev. James Atwell, one of the early Methodist circuit-riders. Joseph's early life was spent upon a farm, where he attend- ed a district school. He later attended the Manlius Academy, then a celebrated seat of learning, under the direction of Prof. Bailey. On leaving the Academy he entered the store of Azariah H. Smith, of Manlius vil- lage, where he received an excellent busi- ness education. About 1850 Mr. Atwell associated himself with William E. Hoyt, and the firm of Atwell & Hoyt, at Theresa, became well known through Northern New York during the 12 years of its existence. In the great financial distress before the Civil War, it went down in the general crash. Mr. Atwell in 1860 represented the town of Theresa on the Board of Supervisors, and in- troduced the resolution for building the present court-house. He was appointed chairman of the building committee. He took up the business of insurance later on, and in that relation he was best known in Watertown. He was deputy collector of customs at Cape Vincent, and rounded out the life of an honorable, and very intelli-

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gent business man and citizen. He died at Watertown in December, 1892, universally regretted. His estimable wife still survives, an inmate of the family of her son, the pastor of the M. E. Church at Chaumont. The writer knew Mr. Atwell during his whole business life at Theresa, and found him an obliging, kind hearted and most esti- mable friend and neighbor. He was a mem- ber of the M. E. Church nearly all of his adult years. The children born to this estimable couple have proven worthy of their parent- age, and have come right to the front in all the communities where their lot has been cast. Mr. Joseph Atwell, President of the Board of Supervisors, and an able lawyer, is the eldest son.

CALVIN D. GRAHAM was among the older inhabitants of Watertown, and has always been an active and very industrious farmer, coming to the city seven years ago, and now resides at 44 State street. For his first wife he married Miss Mary Munson, of Potsdam, by whom he had two children, James E., who died at the age of 19 years, and Ella, who married Moses Petrie. Their mother died while they were farming in Lorraine. For his second wife he married Miss Mary Petrie, and they have reared one son, Frank P., now residing upon the old Pratt farm, at Stone Mills, in Orleans, owned by his father, who, in 1856, bought out the other heirs, and managed the farm until 1887, when he came to Watertown, as stated above. Mr. Graham has accumulated a very fair competency, being one of the men who have made farming "pay." His indus- try has been phenomenal, his patience ex- emplary, and now in his 73d year, he is reaping the reward for all his struggles.

JOHN C. MCCARTIN, once a judge of Jefferson county, was born in the town of Alexandria in 1840, the son of an Irish farmer, who had emigrated from Ireland early in the thirties. John C. had the bene- fits of the common schools of his native town, and when he had reached man's es- tate he came to Watertown and began to read law with the late E. B. Wynn, an astute lawyer and able advocate. He was admitted to the bar in 1860, and accepted a position in the law office of Brown & Beach, as managing clerk, where he continued until commissioned first lieutenant in the 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. On his discharge from the army he resumed the practice of his profession, and was popular and successful. He formed a partnership with Judge Wil- liams, and was thus engaged when he died. Lieutenant McCartin was a member of Joe Spratt Post, G. A. R., and was elected judge of Jefferson county, running upon the Democratic ticket in a strongly Repub- lican county, being the only Democratic judge elected in Jefferson county for 40 years. He was never as well after his re- turn from the army, complaining much of pain in his kidneys; this trouble increased until his condition became precarious, and

he finally succumbed to its violence, dying January 2, 1893. Judge McCartin was un- usually popular as a student, lawyer, sol- dier and judge. He was a Democrat in the full meaning of that term-always easily approached, a friendly, generous man-like so many of those who have Irish blood in their veins. His loss was long mourned, for the common people believed they had lost a friend.

MORGAN GALVIN, for many years a well- known citizen of Watertown, is a Wilna man, having been born in 1821 at Carthage, the son of Edward and Mary (Welch) Galvin, who came into Wilna about 1817. Morgan is an older brother of James Galvin, a wealthy and enterprising farmer of Wilna. Morgan came first to Watertown as the dis- tributing agent and collector for Knowlton & Rice. He would load up a large double- wagon with writing and wrapping paper, Ruger's Arithmetic, Kirkham's Grammar, the English Reader, and several other publica- tions of "K. & R." and distribute them to the firm's customers in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, returning with great sacks of paper rags, on top of which Morgan always had a good seat for himself. The trips were from one to two weeks in extent. This rag and paper business is now largely in the hands of Mr. J. M. Tilden, whose peculiar carts are seen all over the country. Mr. Galvin followed this laborious business for seven years, when he went upon the road for a tobacco firm, with whom he re- mained six years, when he went into the store of the late Pearson Mundy, where he remained 15 years. To show the different conditions of life in 1848 and now, Mr. Galvin says that when he reached town on his re- turn trips he boarded with Mr. Knowlton, where the horses and wagons were kept in Mr. K's barn. Once he was taken sick on the road, but managed to get to Watertown, and gave up sick, threatened with fever. The good Mr. Knowlton and his estimable wife gave up their warm room to Mr. Galvin, and themselves took an upper chamber, there being no fire above the first floor. Such an act of condescension towards a " hired man" would now be counted as something extraordinary. The worthy couple took that way to show forth their religion. Mr. Galvin is yet living in Watertown, now entered on his 74th year.

NATHAN TALCOTT, for many years a well- known and influential farmer, residing over the line in Adams, but really more intimately related to Watertown than to Adams, came to the Black River country from Connecticut, locating upon what proved a valuable farm upon the old State road from Watertown to Adams. For many years he kept a hotel about three miles from Adams Centre, a place well known as the regular stopping place of the Syracuse stages, and there was also located the Appling postoffice, named, we believe, for a gallant officer who fell in the War of 1812. His wife was Betsey

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Richards, and they rcared three children : Nathan R., Elizabeth (who married James Brintnall), and Eunice, now Mrs. Hull, re- siding in Cayuga county. Mr. Talcott was an excellent farmer, though never of strong physique. Perhaps his best contribution to the generation with which he was contempor- aneous was in his effort to raise the grade of fruits that were adapted to this northern climate. He was the first intelligent pomolo- gist that the writer remembers in Jeffer- son county, though probably our good friend, D. S. Marvin, of Watertown, 50 years later, may be more of a scientist in that direction than was Mr. Talcott. But, all the same, Mr. Talcott's apples and grapes were among the finest ever produced here, and he was looked upon as the ablest fruit grower in this section. His wife died in July, 1867, and after that he gave up the active life of farming, and became an inmate of his daughter (Mrs. Brintnall's) family, where he died November 28, 1877, in his 79th year.

JAMES BRINTNALL, JR., the son of James Brintnall, Sr., and Lydia, his wife, was born in the town of Watertown, February 5, 1825. Until his marriage he lived upon his father's farm, attending school winters and laboring upon the farm summers. He completed his scholastic education at the Watertown Insti- tute, the building now being the High School of Watertown. May 14, 1846, he married Elizabeth Talcott, daughter of Nathan Talcott, of Adams, very near the Watertown line, a man remembered as one of the advanced fruit-culturists of this northern section. Young Brintnall resided on a farm near his father until the spring of 1856, when he removed to Syracuse, where he resided three years engaged in the salt business. This proving unremunerative he returned to Watertown, and settled upon a farm on the Sackets Harbor road, 2} miles from Watertown, and there he resided until his death, November 23, 1888. They reared six children, two sons and four daughters. Mrs. Brintnall died August 10, 1882, in her 57th year. Mr. Brintnall, like most of the children of the early settlers, was a man of superior intelligence, a great reader, and a man who kept fully up to the advanced thought of the day. He was an enthusiastic Democrat always, for he believed in that party as the poor man's natural ally. He was a pleasant man to meet.

GEORGE H. WILDER, one of the propri- etors of the Crowner House, and formerly a journeyman printer, died in Watertown, March 6, 1895, aged about 60 years. He was an unusually modest and quiet mannered man, and had hosts of friends, for his posi- tion in the popular hotel he partly owned threw him into very pleasant relations with citizens from all parts of the county. He came to Watertown from Rodman, which was his native town, in 1855, and worked as a compositor upon the Reformer. After- wards he held good positions in different

newspaper offices, notably upon the Buffalo Commercial. He finally returned to Water- town in 1868 and entered into partnership with his brother in conducting the Crowner House, where they have been successful. Mr. Wilder married Miss Mary Gilbert, of Lansing, Michigan, and thither his remains were taken for interment. The older print- ers bear his memory in most kindly remem- brance.

NELSON TRUAX, for years a citizen of Watertown, residing at 13 LeRay street, was born in Lowville, Lewis county, in 1818. His father was John Truax, a blacksmith, long a resident of Watertown. When Nel- son was eight years old his father removed to Antwerp, and began farming. Nelson attracted the attention of William McAllas- tar, of Antwerp, and entered his employ, remaining there until 1833. In that year he came to Watertown, and learned to be a harness-maker in the large shop of Jason Fairbanks. He remained in Watertown until 1844, when he commenced business for himself. In 1838 Mr. Truax enlisted in the alleged "Patriot" army, and was in the Windmill fight near Prescott, where he was captured after being wounded. He was tried and sentenced to death, but in the spring of 1839 he was liberated with 38 others, on account of his youth and inexperience. Charles Crossmon, of Alexandria Bay, was one of his fellow-prisoners. In October, 1861, he enlisted into the 94th regiment, and was discharged for disability after about a year's service. He re-established himself as a harness-maker in Watertown after his dis- charge from the army, and continued until 1888, when his failing health obliged him to relinquish business. Mr. Truax has been an industrious, persevering man all his life. In his old age he enjoys the respect of his neighbors.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 158

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