Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 160

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

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The author of this History was privileged to share a day with the Colonel and Mr. Geo. W. Wiggins last summer at historic Sackets Harbor, wherethe Colonel's company was organized. It was almost a perfect day of pleasure, and will never be forgotten. We three "were boys again," in spite of the contrary fact too plainly proclaimed by our grizzled beards, but-"Where snow flakes fall thickest there's nothing can freeze."

J. A. H.

LIEUT. COL. JAMES B. CAMPBELL.

THE life and military services of this esti- mable gentleman would of themselves com- mend him to favorable consideration in history, for he was a good soldier-one of the best. Join to this his unknown and mysterious ending, and we have all the elements of romance added to uncertainty and perhaps tragedy. Colonel Campbell possessed a fair degree of culture, he had a receptive and logical mind, and was of large physique, weighing 225 pounds, yet appear- ing like a man of less weight, for he bore himself with a certain lithesomeness that took away all thoughts of bulk. When the Civil War broke upon the country he was a farmer, and had no training in arms, though one of his ancestors had been a major in the British army. Colonel Campbell organized a company, and was mustered into the United States service as captain, September 11, 1862. His company was recruited mainly from the towns of Pamelia, Cape Vincent and Lyme.

The leading characteristics of Col. Camp- bell, as an army officer, were his superiority in drill, and in a capacity to enforce disci- pline without being classed as a martinet. He behaved gallantly in the field, and was par- ticularly distinguished by leading his regi- ment in a night attack (April 1, 1865), upon the enemy's lines at Bermuda Hundred, in which engagement he received a gun-shot wound in his right arm. He also partici- pated in the engagements about Peters- burg, where the 10th Heavy Artillery bore

so conspicuous and gallant a part in those last days of the Confederacy. He was mustered out with his regiment, and began life again as a farmer, near Plessis, but soon removed to Rutland, where he remained seven years. He had been to California, and that had perhaps given him an inclination towards a Western residence. In 1875 he began a new life in Chicago, having pur- chased a baking business, in which he was prospering unusually well. On the 20th of October, 1877, he mysteriously disappeared, and no trace whatever has ever been had of him. He was undoubtedly murdered, as he had drawn over $1,000 from the bank the day previous, but had expressed it to his brother in the East, and so the murderer missed the money, though he killed the man -- forming another of those dark chapters of crime which at one time or another have darkened the history of all our large cities. Colonel Campbell was a noble man, and has been and is now sincerely mourned. He was a brother to Mr. Alexander Campbell, who died at Watertown while filling the office of postmaster. He has another brother, Peter, living in Watertown. J. A. H.

CAPTAIN JOHN H. PARKER,

WHO commanded Company H, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and whose face is shown in the composite plate of officers of that dis- tinguished regiment, was born in Watertown, July 23, 1837. He was the son of James and Mary E. (Swayze) Parker. James was a native of Watertown, and his wife was from Hope, Warren county, N. J. They reared seven children. John H. had the benefits of the common schools, completing his education at the Watertown Institute. His life, up to the time of entering the army, was passed much like other farmers' sons. In April, 1862, he married, at Cape Vincent, Miss Helen M. Esselstyn, by whom he had one daughter. Mrs. Parker died August 7. 1883. In 1887 he married, for his second wife, Miss Mary L. Holmes, and they also have a daughter, born in 1891. In 1862, when the call came from President Lincoln for 300'000 more troops, Captain Parker was a school-teacher in Dexter. His patriotism was aroused, and he began organizing a company of light artillery in August, which was finally mustered into service September 12, 1862, with four officers and 120 enlisted men. He then began the life of a soldier with the rank of 1st lieutenant. September 20, 1862, he, with his company, started for Washington. Their first halting place after leaving Sackets Harbor, was at the City Hall barracks, in New York city, but their stay there was short, and on their way to Wash- ington the Captain's diary gratefully records that they were breakfasted sumptuously at ine Cooper Shop frec restaurant, in Phila- delphia, where nearly a million meals were served to the soldiers from 1861 to 1865. Strange to say, they were dined at Balti-

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more by the ladies of that city. Reaching Washington, their real camp life began at Camp Barry in a meadow, only a short dis- tance east of the Capitol. It was at this camp that he and his company first realized that the duty of a soldier is to obey.

They were ordered to forcibly take pos- session of Fort Stanton, one of the series of earth-works defending Washington, thus changing the arm of service from light to heavy artillery. Lieutenant Parker was promoted to be captain of his company, and he served it in that capacity until the end of the war. In January, 1863, this command (named Company H), with other companies, was organized into the 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and then began their drill in infan- try tactics, preparatory for service in the field. The thoroughness of their drill and excellence of discipline, enabled them to give a good account of themselves wherever duty called them, whether defending the nation's capital or on the arduous and peril- ous field of battle.

May 27, 1864, this fine regiment took transports for Port Royal, on the Rappa- hannock, and soon were part and parcel of Gen. Grant's great army at Cold Harbor. From the siege of Petersburg, they were hurried to Washington, when Early was threatening that city. They were also in the Shenandoah Valley with Sheridan, in Janu- ary, 1865; again in the siege of Richmond and Petersburg, occupying a long front line with its right resting on the James river. It was here that the 10th N. Y. Artillery bore a conspicuous part in the great closing con- test. Company H lost by death, disease and killed in action, one officer and 26 men; one officer and six men by promotion ; seven transferred to the navy ; four to Veteran Re- serve Corps ; 33 discharged for disability, and 10 were lost by desertion.

Notwithstanding this great loss, through the good name and popularity of the com- pany, recruits and transfers were equal to the loss. The last morning report of the company, made June 21, 1865, gives five officers and 122 enlisted men. Captain Parker, when mustered out, entered upon mercantile pursuits in Brownville, removing to Cape Vincent in 1873, and continuing in that same business to the present time.

CAPT. JOHN ARMSTRONG,

WHOSE face appears herewith, was born in Watertown in 1827. His parents were Ed- ward and Elizabeth Armstrong, who came into Jefferson county from Canada, where they were emigrants from Ireland. They were residents of Watertown for many years, his widow surviving her husband for a long time, dying at last, as the result of a fall, in her 87th year. John C. was educated in the common schools of Watertown, and learned the moulder's trade in the foundry of Horace W. Woodruff, then occupying the ground where George A. Lance's woolen mill now

stands. He joined the Union army in 1862, as 1st lieutenant in the 10th Heavy Artillery. He served with that regiment until the Janu- ary after his muster-in, when he was pro- moted to captain, and detailed for duty at the Park Barracks in New York city, which occupied the ground now covered by the New York City post office. He was re- lieved only seven days before the anti-draft riots of July, 1863, and rejoined his regiment in the field, being placed in command of Fort Baker, opposite the navy yard at Washington. When the 10th Heavy Artil- lery were ordered to the arduous service which culminated before Petersburg, and had its glorious termination at Appomattox, Captain Armstrong was with his company, and was assigned, after the capture of Petersburg, to the command of one-fourth of the city, the place having been divided into four divisions. After Appomattox, Captain Armstrong was mustered out with his com- pany at Madison Barracks. He was a good soldier, and served faithfully throughout the entire "unpleasantness " with our Southern brethren.

After completing his trade, he entered the service of the R., W. & O. R. R., for nearly 10 years, the road being only completed to Richland when he began his service. He afterwards accepted a position on the New York Central, and later on the Overland Mail route, in those early days when it was as much as a man's life was worth to be stationed on that stage line. He was there when the Civil War broke out, and on reaching Watertown entered the Union army, as stated above. Captain Armstrong has been prominent in Masonry ever since his initiation into the order. He has filled nearly all the positions in the different Masonic organizations ; has been Past High Priest in Watertown Chapter, and Past Commander in Watertown Commandery K. P.

LIEUT. GEORGE W. WOOD,

WHOSE likeness we present, also served in the 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery; he was born in Dexter in 1838. He was the son of John T. and Orrilla (Field) Wood, who came into Jefferson county in the thirties. They reared six children. George W., the subject of this sketch, had the benefits of the common schools of Dexter. When 15 years of age he began work in the old Ontario woolen mill, now the sulphite mill, and remained in that employ in one capacity or another until he enlisted, in 1862, and became a member of the 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, where he was attached to Company H. In 1864 he was promoted to a lieutenancy, as a recognition of his ability and gallantry as a soldier. He served through with the regiment, and was mustered out with it at Sackets Harbor. In 1866 Lieutenant Wood married Miss H. Ellen Winn, daughter of Francis W. Winn, of Dexter. They have reared two children, twins (Burt W. and Bertha), both of whom

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are yet at home. Lieutenant Wood is now in trade at Dexter, the firm being O. M. & G. W. Wood, and have been there since 1867. The Lieutenant is postmaster at Dexter, having been appointed under President Cleveland. He is a man who commands the respect of the entire community where he has so long resided. His amiability and kindness of heart make him popular.

CAPTAIN HORACE O. GILMORE, so well known as the commandant of a battery in the 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery (the present holder of a commission as Colonel in the

militia of the State), was born in Fairlee, Orange county, Vt., in 1823. His parents were Horace Gilmore and Pamelia (Cook) Gilmore, who came into Vermont from New Hampshire. In 1862 Capt. Gilmore became a member of the 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and was assigned to command Company I, composed mostly of men who were raised in Houndsfield and Brownville, many of them being neighbors and friends.

The Captain was very popular with his men, was an efficient and able officer of ar- tillery, and served straight through until the regiment was mustered out.

COLONEL CHARLES E. MINK.

CHARLES E. MINK was born in Albany, N. Y., October 15, 1835, and served an ap- prenticeship as a machinist with Mr. Addison Low, the celebrated steam-engine builder of that city. Mink was an enthusiastic student of military tactics, and served in the militia of his native city. He assisted to erect the engines on the steamer "L. R. Lyon," the first successful steamboat on Black river be- tween Lyons Falls and Carthage in 1856. At the time of the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he was employed as en- gineer on the same boat, and left it to recruit a company for the war as soon as a man could be obtained to take his place on the

boat. He left Lowville with his company for Elmira early in October, 1861, to join the First Regiment of New York Light Artillery. [For an extended account of the services of this distinguished battery, see p. 322.]

MRS. SARAH C. MINK, wife of Colonel Charles E. Mink, is descended from the earliest settlers of New York State. Her paternal and maternal ancestors were identi- fied with the Colonial interests, and the struggle for independence. From such an- cestors she has inherited a love of country and loyalty to its defenders, which has found ample scope in the work which has given her a national reputation among the veterans of the Civil War. When the Grand Army of the Republic asked for an auxiliary to assist them in their endeavors to aid the

COLONEL CHARLES E. MINK.

MRS. SARAH C. MINK.

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less fortunate of their comrades and their families, she was among the first to offer her services, and was elected President of the First Relief Corps, in Syracuse, New York, serving three consecutive years. Upon re- tiring from that office she was elected Presi- dent of the State Corps, which office she held three years. She was elected National Presi- dent of the Woman's Relief Corps at their convention held in Indianapolis, September, 1893, and gave a year of untiring devotion to the interests of the work which has become second to none in the world in membership and money expended for relief of dependent veterans and their families. In eleven years the organization expended in charity $1,013, - 560.25, and has a membership of 140,000. Mrs. Mink is a woman of broad spirit and great force of character, which is proven by the office seeking the woman, and in every case she has been elected to office as the

unanimous choice. She was the first National President of the Woman's Relief Corps to represent that great Association in the National Council of Women. Upon her re- tirement as National President, she was made a life patron of the Council by her co-workers. In the address of the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, John G. B. Adams, of Massachusetts, is the following extract :

"I most cordially endorse all the work of the Woman's Relief Corps, and take this op- portunity to thank their President, Mrs. Sarah C. Mink, for her cordial co-operation in all matters connected with my administra- tion; and am sure I express the feelings of every comrade when I say that the Grand Army of the Republic, whose auxiliary they are, thank them from their heart of hearts for the assistance they have so grandly rendered us."

THE TUBBS FAMILY.

IN saying, as the author of this History has done when writing of older Watertown, that the name of "Streeter" was the only one to be seen upon a sign-board in the city that was in existence in the same line of business in 1833, he was mistaken. That name, however, and that of "Tubbs" may truthfully be said to be the only ones in Watertown that have been continuously in the same line of trade for the past 68 years.

ALANSON TUBBS was the founder of this house. He came to Watertown in 1827, after conducting a small business in Cham- pion, justly concluding, with inany others, that Watertown was the coming town. He was born in Chatham, N. Y., February 15, 1801. He was married in September, 1826, to Miss Cornelia Canfield, of Champion, daughter of Jared Canfield, one of the best known farmers in the eastern part of the county. Mr. Tubbs had great faith in honest industry. It must be remembered that the wants of the town in the line of hats or any other merchandise was very different from what it is to-day. A man who sold $6,000 worth of goods in a year then, was a leading merchant. Mr. Tubbs first began manufac- turing hats in the old red hat-factory which stood upon the river-bank at the foot of Arch street, below Whittlesey point-but the building has long since disappeared. He made his own hats, for the days of the wholesale hat merchant had not yet come. Year by year he grew into the business and in public confidence, until his goods were re- garded by critical judges as the best on the market. He accumulated a competency by honest and fair dealing, and was in active business at the time of his death, in Febru- ary, 1874. His wife survived until August, 1876. Mr. Tubbs filled out in all respects the full requirements of a good citizen. He was a superior mechanic, having learned his

trade in his youth. He loved a good hat, and took an honest pride in his calling. He was one of the last of the old merchants of Watertown, for he was contemporaneous with Safford, Ely, Farwell, Peck and others, and left a memory of which his family may be proud.

He had three sons born to him: Jared Can- field, Sanford Alanson, and Charles Hobart. Sanford died in 1854, about 22 years of age. He was teller in the Black River Bank for several years. Jared is well remembered as for many years in the Watertown Bank and Loan Co. with Hon. Geo. C. Sherman- afterwards for nearly 25 years he was in the treasurer's office of the R. W. & O. R. R. He retired from active business several years since.

CHARLES HOBART, the youngest son, chose the calling of his father, and had been a member of the firm eight years when his father died. He has continued the business uninterruptedly, enlarging and improving it, and is now in his own building at No. 18 Public Square. He was appointed commis- sioner of public works, to fill an unexpired term, and was reappointed for four years in May, 1894. He is a useful, respected, capable citizen, a little conservative, it may be, but fully "up to date," and has aided in educating the people up to the idea that the Public Square of Watertown is one of the finest in America, and not equaled in many places in Europe. The Square only needs one notch to be filled up to render it almost above criticism, especially now that the larger part has the substantial, smooth as- phalt pavement.

In 1869 he married Miss Emma Smith, daughter of Charles D. and Sabra Smith. . Mrs. Tubbs died in August, 1894.

Mr. Tubbs fully sustains the excellent reputation of his father, for he is a good

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CHARLES HOBART TUBBS.

citizen in the highest sense of the word; the friend of temperance, of religious growth and of the highest education practicable in the public schools. During his long resi- dence in Watertown he has always favored progress, and has been ever ready to lend a hand in effecting needed improvements. In 1885 he was one of the men who introduced the Electric Light Company, and in 1893 he helped to start the Canning Works. Other branches of industry have been aided by his helping hand.

The article upon the TUBBS family has called up many reminiscences relating mainly to those who were in trade and formed the actual business men of Watertown 50 years ago. Take the drug business-there is only one man now alive who was in that branch of trade in 1845; Mr. Talcott Hale Camp, the honored President of the Jefferson County

Bank, whose long life has witnessed the rise and fall of so many firms and individuals, but through all changes he has been the same courteous, amiable gentleman. In dry goods who can name a man in that branch of mer- chandise who has been here 50 years ? Mr. Cadwell was then scarcely out of his frocks, while the Bushnells had not yet passed the years of easy lessons, Kirkham's grammar and Ruger's arithmetic. Bush, Bull, Roth & Co. were then wholly unknown. All this goes to show that it only takes two generations to almost entirely change the population. How many men are now living who were in Wa- tertown in 1833, when the writer began to learn his trade in the office of the Democratic Standard? Less than 50, as near as we can count them. This surely shows the import- ance of history as a means of perpetuating the memory of those who have passed away.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

LIEUT. FREMONT P. PECK.

THE sad tragedy which ended the life of this prominent young army officer, "in the line of his duty," at the proving ground at Sandy Hook, on February 19, 1895, was a shock to all who knew his history and splen- did promise for the future.

The following account of his death is taken from the New York Herald : "First Lieutenant Fremont P. Peck, of the Ord- nance Corps, was killed by the bursting of the breach of a Hotchkiss gun on the prov- ing grounds here this morning. Lieutenant Peck was in charge of the gun, and was standing beside it when it was fired. Frag- ments of the broken breech struck him on the face and neck, inflicting terrible injuries, from which he died a few minutes later."

Lieutenant Fremont Pearsons Peck was

born at Stone Mills, Jefferson county, Febru- ary 23, 1866. He came from good New Eng- land stock. Of his early ancestry, four great-grandfathers fought in the Revolution- ary War.

An uncle (William E. Pearsons) on his mother's side, was an aide on the staff of Gen. Taylor during the Mexican War. It Is thus clear that the subject of this sketch was born with the blood and fire of military enthusiasm in his veins. From the district school at home he went to Canton Univer- sity. where he spent two years, and at the age of 17 entered as a cadet at West Point. He graduated with much distinction in 1887. His first commission was as 2d lieutenant in the First Artillery, and he was stationed on the Pacific Coast. In February, 1891, he

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was successful in passing examinations transferring him to the Ordnance Depart- ment, being made 1st lieutenant. He went to Springfield in April, 1891, and remained until the late summer of 1892, when he was ordered to Sandy Hook.

During his life at West Point, and while in the army, he was always looked upon as one of the most faithful students and one of the brightest young officers in the service. He took into the associations of army en- vironments the rugged health and buoyant spirits of the farm, and his simple, dignified deportment endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.

Lieutenant Peck ranked high in the con- fidence of his superiors and brother officers in army circles especially. He was a keen searcher after truth, and his mind grasped the technicalities of gunnery and ordnance problems to a degree very seldom attained by young officers. He was an expert author- ity-even in one so young-in regard to the intricate details of strength of metals, veloc- ity and force of projectiles, their elevation and trajectory, and the difficult questions of windage and range, were well understood and mastered by him. In character and attainments he stood in the very front rank of our younger ordnance officers.

Up to the time of his pathetic death, it is not too much to say that his promise of future usefulness and distinction in his chosen profession was unrivalled. Ambi- tious, chivalrous, enthusiastic and schol- arly, death cut short a noble career just as manhood's morning was breaking into full view. The mysteries of our humanity almost confound us in the sudden close of such a promising young life, with so much to hope for, and such great power of achievement.

The loss of such an officer affected his companions in arms deeply, and his native county mourned the untimely fate of one of her most promising sons. The proofs of the appreciation of his superiors in the army are conclusive evidence of the standing he had won as a capable officer, and several of these touching memorials to his worth are here- with given. No words can add to these beautiful tributes to his efficiency as an officer, and to his worth as a man :

GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, NEW YORK, March 27, 1895. MR. ABNER W. PECK, Watertown, New York.

DEAR SIR : I would gladly, if possible, offer some words of consolation for the loss of your son, Lieu- tenant F. P. Peck. From my first acquaintance with him in San Francisco, some years ago, I have re- garded him as an officer of unusual merit, and a most estimable young gentleman. Words are weak in the presence of such a terrible bereavement, but I hope it will be some consolation for you to know that your son was regarded by all who knew him as one of the purest of souls and a man whom it was a pleasure and privilege to know. Cut off suddenly, while in the execution of his duty, the world has lost a young life of rare promise, and the army has been deprived of one of its most brilliant ornaments. The deepest affliction falls upon his family, and in this affliction I beg leave to tender my profoundest sympathy.

Very sincerely yours,

NELSON A. MILES, Major-General U. S. A.

WASHINGTON, March 2, 1895.

MY DEAR SIR : I enclose a few copies of my order announcing the sad death of your son. Will you ac- cept my very heartfelt sympathy for you and your daughter in your terrible affliction.

Sincerely yours, D. W. FLAGLER.

MR. A. W. PECK, Watertown, N. Y.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, UNITED STATES ARMY,

WASHINGTON, February 21, 1895.

With deep sorrow the Chief of Ordnance announces to the Department the death of Lieutenant Fremont P. Peck, at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground, on the 19th inst. He was killed while in the active dis- charge of his duty, by the bursting of a gun. He was in charge of the firing detachment and was himself firing the gun that exploded.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 160

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