Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 165

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

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of the government, and then returned to Car- thage, where he remained for part of a year, when he began to recruit a company for the 20th New York Cavalry. He was commis- sioned a second lieutenant, and when the regiment went into camp at Sackets Harbor was promoted to a first lieutenancy before it left the State. When the regiment first went to the front it was employed in several long cavalry raids, which tested the quality, pluck and endurance of the men and hard- ened them for the service that was to follow. The rare executive ability of Captain Horr was soon recognized, and during much of the time that he was connected with the 20th Regiment, he was on detached service, acting as assistant provost marshal of East- ern Virginia, with headquarters at Great Bridge, and as aide-de-camp on the staff of different generals in the Army of the James. In this capacity he was among the first white men of our army who entered Richmond, being on the staff of General Kautz, who was in command of the colored troops on that eventful morning. On the next day he was one of the escort of President Lincoln on his visit to the captured city, but a few days before his assassination. He remained in the army until the close of the war. Soon after, he removed to St. Joseph, Mo., where for ten years he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in company with his brother. In 1876 he re turned to Carthage and engaged in business until his death, July 26, 1882. Capt. Horr was twice married-in 1863 to Miss Emma D. VanNess, of Carthage, who died in 1864, and in 1872 to Miss Imo Cheney, of Mechan- icsburg, Ohio, who survived him a few years, dying July 6, 1891. An only son,

Elijah, survives the family. This young man is now away, a student in school.

Albert had the happy faculty of making strong friends and holding them. He was a man of unusual energy of character and execu- tive ability. He readily won the respect and easily held the confidence of associates, whether in business or army life. Quick of perception and fertile in resources, he was fitted to lead and command men by the con- fidence with which he inspired them. The old soldiers who knew him in camp and field loved and honored him. He is buried in the Carthage cemetery in sight of the home of his childhood.

CHARLES ABNER HORR,

THE youngest son and child, was born just outside of the limits of Carthage, upon a farm, which his father owned for some years, and at this time, on account of impaired health, was occupying, October 19, 1850. He attended school in Carthage and pursued a business course in a commercial college in Syracuse, N. Y. After clerking for some years in his father's store, he went to St. Joseph, Mo., engaging in business with his brothers, Wesley and Albert. In 1874 he re- turned to his native place, forming a partner- ship with his brother Albert. He is a man of amiable characteristics, popular with his fellow-citizens, a prominent member of the Methodist church and of several local or- ganizations.

In 1871 he was married to Miss Jennie A. VanPelt, of Carthage. They have three children, Louisa Stewart, Wilma Gertrude, and Charles Albert.

WILLIAM ALLEN PECK

WAS the son of Allen and Ann (Gilbert) Peck, who came from Connecticut quite early in the settlement of Carthage. William was educated in the common schools of Carthage, completing his scholastic education at Caze- novia, N. Y. After receiving his education he entered the store of Elijah Horr, and there he received a part of his mercantile educa- tion, completing it at Mobile, Ala. When about 25 years of age he commenced business as a merchant with the late Hon. D. C. West, and the firm of West & Peck continued until Mr. West removed to Lowville. Mr. Peck then continued in trade on his own responsi- bility until 1861, when he retired from active business. He sold his goods to Horace Hooker. In 1850 he married Susanna C. Budd, and they reared two children, William A. and Allen G., the latter being the popular cashier of the First National Bank of Car- thage.

Few men passed through a long mercan- tile career in their native town and left be- hind them a memory so sweet and lasting as William A. Peck. He was in all respects a

companionable man-one who invited friend- ship by being always friendly. He was per- haps more universally mourned than any one who ever lived in Carthage, for he grew up with the town and knew all its people. He died in his 40th year, a young man.

THE BUDD FAMILY.

JOSEPH C. BUDD, one of the celebrated firm of Budd & Bones, the iron masters, who ran the blast furnace at Carthage for many years, was a resident of Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, where the family is well re- membered. His first employment in Car- thage was as a clerk in the land office of Mr. LeRay. While there employed his attention was attracted by the fine opportunities then presented for manufacturing charcoal iron, which then commanded a high price, but is now an almost unknown factor upon the market. In 1820 he married Susanna Coffeen, and about that time, in company with his brother-in-law, William Bones, he began to manufacture iron, thus continuing for a

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WILLIAM ALLEN PECK.

number of years. Joseph Budd built the series of five bridges connecting the islands with the main land, long since destroyed.

Mr. Budd had three brothers : Dr. Benj. S., Samuel A. and Paul. His own family were Miriam, who married Abner Gilbert (de- ceased); Susanna C., wife of William A. Peck ; John C., who died in Brooklyn about 1888 ; Joseph P., who is now living in the State of Washington ; Thomas R., now living in Carthage; Caroline P., who died in 1863, and Rebecca L., who died in June, 1894.

In person, Joseph C. Budd was of com- manding height, erectand dignified, He had the bearing of a gentleman of the old school, courteous, affable, but not inviting familiarity. He enjoyed the confidence of the people, having once been a Representative in the Legislature. He died in Carthage in 1868. His wife died in 1880, respected by all.

Miriam S., daughter of Joseph Budd, who married Abner H. Gilbert, was a life-long resident of Carthage. They had three child- ren. Miss Susanna is the last representative of her father's family in Carthage. Wm. A., her brother, died in Gouverneur in 1891, aged 31 years. Mrs. Miriam Gilbert died April 23, 1894, aged 70 years, surviving her hus- band over 20 years.

One of the aged persons of the county was Samuel A. Budd, who lived to be over 90 years of age. He was a well-known charac- ter in Carthage for many years, and was a soldier of the War of 1812. Another aged person was Mrs. Lavinia Budd, wife of Sam- uel A. Budd, long a resident of Carthage, where she died at an advanced age. They were both a very long-lived and industrious family, as their record shows, and they are well remembered in Carthage.

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MARCUS P. MASON,

ONE of the most intelligent, progressive and amiable citizens of Carthage, was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, in 1835. His father was a manufacturer, who came into New York from Massachusetts early in the twenties. Marcus P., therefore, became possessed of mechanical ideas by natural in- heritance, which may explain his inclination toward productive industry. He received a fair primary education in the common schools of his neighborhood, supplemented by a year and a half in the best schools of Battle Creek, Mich., where he made his home with an uncle, a manufacturer of that city. Returning East, he next attended the New York Conference Seminary for Young Men, at Charlottsville, N. Y. This completed his scholastic education.

His devotion to mechanical pursuits had its first practical application in his father's manufactory. A young friend of his had been up in the Black River country, and was somewhat enthusiastic in his account of the desirable advantages of Carthage as a business centre. This induced young Mason to venture into this Northern section, his capital being $200 in cold cash, and with it he began the manufacture of broom handles on a small scale, afterwards increasing the business. His father then became a partner, under the firm name of H. Mason & Son, his father still residing at Amsterdam, N. Y. They rented the saw-mill of Samuel Davis and Samuel Myers, and added the manufac- ture of wood pumps with iron fixtures. They kept peddlers on the road selling

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pumps in the counties of Albany, Montgom- ery and Fulton, Mr. Mason, Sr., giving that portion of the business his personal atten- tion. After running the pump business several years, the firm sold that branch, and M. P. Mason bought his father's interest. In addition to his Carthage business, he bought a mill at Deer River, and carried on the manufacture of broom-handles, window- shade rollers and slats. He then converted his Carthage mill into a manufactory of map- rollers and mountings for mounting maps, and for 25 years has made all that class of goods consumed in the United States. He

turning out about 150 dozen per day of gentlemen's merino and wool hosiery. Mr. Mason attended to his own sales, visiting nearly all the large cities of the country, and coming in direct contact with the jobbing trade. This business he continued for many years, giving employment to about 100 hands. A few years ago he sold his knitting- mill machinery and business to a concern at Pullman, Illinois, and it was transferred to that point.

About 1882 he turned his attention to in- vestments in real estate, in the leading cities of the West and Northwest, including Kan-

RESIDENCE OF MARCUS P. MASON, WEST CARTHAGE.

soon afterward removed his works to West Carthage, purchasing the plant and water- rights of the Lathrop property. Here he largely increased his business, adding the manufacture of feather-duster handles, which he still continues, and makes the larger portion of such goods used in this country.

In 1873 he built a knitting-mill, and began the manufacture of knit underwear, in addition to his other branches of business. After the failure of Jay Cook and the attend- ant panic, the underwear business became somewhat depressed, and he converted his underwear mill into a hosiery manufactory,

sas City, Omaha, Minneapolis, Duluth and Chicago. His plan was to purchase prop- erty, plot and grade it, putting through streets, and sometimes building upon it. In most of these ventures he has been remark- ably successful, and he is still owner of landed property in several of the largest cities of the West, his judgment upon land values being frequently solicited by other dealers in real estate.

Mr. Mason is eminently democratic in his manner and easily approached. He is popu- lar as a citizen, having represented the town of Champion on the Board of Supervisors,

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though his general plan has been to decline all political honors. He comes of a long- lived family, his mother, who was Miss Abigal Adams Wheelock, died at the resi- dence of her son, in West Carthage, in 1893, in her 85th year, and his father, Horace Mason, died in Amsterdam, aged 80 years.

Mr. Mason was married to Miss Hattie M. Angel, daughter of Edwin Angel, of Car- thage. Three children have been born to them, two of whom are deceased, and one, a beautiful boy, Clinton, gives great promise of being a comfort to his parents.

Mr. Mason has been a successful man, but he has earned all he has of this world's goods. In West Carthage stands his elegant mansion, shown upon another page, and it is

literally filled with unique and elegant furni- ture, beautiful statuary and many works of art which have been selected with wise dis- crimination in the art centres of Europe, and it is doubted whether another dwelling in Northern New York can show more elegant fittings or greater taste in their selection.

The Mason family in America descended from two brothers, who came from England early in the 16th century. One settled in Virginia, and the other in Massachusetts. At the burning of Medfield, Mass., in the King Philip Indian War. but one Mason child was saved from that massacre, and from him have sprung all the Masons in this country. Lowell Mason, the distinguished musician, is one of these descendants.

ERWIN ANDREW HAMMOND

WAS born in Carthage in 1825. He was the son of John D, and Hellanah (Settle) Ham- mond. His father, John D., was a contem- porary of Brodhead, and his assistant. Brodhead and Hammond ran the first line of survey through the Northern wilderness in 1798, and located the base line, from which all subsequent surveys have been pred-

ERWIN ANDREW HAMMOND.

icated. They afterward, near 1816, com- pleted and verified their work.

John D. Hammond died in 1836, aged 56 years, leaving his widow with 12 children. Erwin A. was then 11 years old. He was an ambitious boy, anxious to help his widowed mother. He was the first one to carry the

mail from Carthage over the direct route to Watertown, via Great Bend and Felts Mills. This journey he performed three times each week, covering both ways the same day, and once a week he carried the mail from Car- thage to Evans Mills, via Great Bend, Felts Mills and LeRaysville. He began to learn the hatter's trade in Carthage with Isaac Cutler, completing his apprenticeship in Utica. Returning to Carthage, he com- menced business for himself in 1846, and re- mained four years. He then moved to Utica and established himself in the hat, cap and fur trade, which business he conducted on Genesse street until 1882. Since then Mr. Hamn:ond has retired from active business. He is one of the oldest. Odd Fellows in Northern New York, being a charter member of Tohopeka Lodge of Carthage, instituted in 1848. He is also one of the oldest Masons and Knights Templar in this part of the country, and is a member of the Masonic Veteran's Association of Central New York.

He married Miss Elizabeth E. Hill, of Martinsburg, in 1848, and they have reared five children : Julia H., wife of Richard W. Sherman, of Utica; Eugene M., now de- ceased ; Alice Maria, who died at the age of 16 years ; Cornelia E. and Mary Louise, who resides at home. Mrs. Hammond died in 1893, much lamented ; to her own family her loss was irreparable. Since the death of his sister, Mrs. Marcus Bickford, Sep- tember 13, 1894, Mr. E. A. Hammond is the oldest surviving member of the family, and the only one, excepting Teranus P., the youngest of the family, who resides in Carthage.

Mrs. Hellanah Hammond, widow of John D., died March 22, 1864, aged 73. She was highly respected, a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and a model mother. The large family of children all reached maturity and are well known in Carthage and vicin- ity. Those not already mentioned are Cathar- ine A., the eldest of the family ; Theodore S., Junius D., Charles B., William Morris,

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Caroline M. (Mrs. Henry Empey), John W., Miriam M. (Mrs. Alva Wilson), Helen (Mrs. F. G. Connell). These nine are all deceased.

Mr. E. A. Hammond well remembers when in his earliest boyhood, there were still re- maining some portions of the five bridges, beginning at Tannery Island, that spanned the river by individual structures from one island to another. Some of the stringers of these bridges were remaining as late as 1838. He described the prevalence in Carthage of the "morus multicaulis" or silk-worm fever, which attacked so many communities in those early days. The plan was to plant the morus multicaulis tree, the leaves of which would be food for the silk-worm, pur- chase the worms, and at once enter upon the manufacture of silk. A family named Leonard came to Carthage from Lowville, and made preparations for manufacturing silk upon an extensive scale. The proposed industry was a taking business, because it

would give employment to women and chil- dren at home. The Leonards entered heart- ily into this project, but met with many dis- couragements. The appliances then in use for winding the delicate cocoons, were crude and unsatisfactory, and that made much waste. This, with many other draw-backs, resulted in the abandonment of the business. The Leonards finally lost all they had in- vested, and gradually they removed from the town, not one of their descendants now residing there.

The old " cocoonery" was a long building which stood next to the garden of Martin Rugg, on Mechanic street, and is now moved back a few feet and used for a barn.

Had we space, Mr. Hammond's many other pleasant reminiscences might be re- lated, but, as with many others, we are obliged to limit the space, for it would be simply impossible to insert as many personal sketches in each town as we would desire.

THE WENDLER MACHINE COMPANY.

IN November, 1892, Julius Spiro, Alex- ander Wendler and Wm. H. Munro pur- chased of the Empire Steam Pump Company their plant, situated on West End avenue, in Carthage. Through the enterprise of these gentlemen the machine shop was enlarged, a large iron foundry added, and various other improvements made. The object of this en- terprise was the manufacture of machinery for pulp and paper mills. Their business was prosperous from the start, in spite of the hard times all over the country.

During the years 1892-93 the large sulphite pulp mill at Pyrites, N. Y., known as the High Falls Sulphite Pulp and Mining Company, was designed and built under the supervision of this concern. Through Mr. Wendler's in- fluence this Sulphite Company was formed, with a capital of $200,000. It is the only sulphite mill in the United States which uses pyrites ore in the place of sulphur in the manufacture of the liquor for digesting the wood.

In 1893 Mr. Wendler purchased the in- terests of Messrs. Munro and Spiro and the business was continued under the name of Wendler & Co. Under this management the business continued to prosper, and soon as- sumed such proportions that it was decided to enlarge the works a second time, and Wendler & Co. concluded to form a stock com- pany. The new company filed their articles of incorporation under the name of " Wendler Machine Company," and September, 1894, received their charter. At a meeting of the stockholders, Messrs. A. Wendler, C. H. Rem- ington, J. G. Jones, A. Drewson and Curt Nicolai were elected directors. Since the organization of this company, the capacity of the machine shop has been doubled, and a commodious brass and bronze foundry added. These buildings were completed about Janu-

ary 1, 1895, and equipped throughout with the most modern improvements in the way of machinery, electric light, steam heating, etc., so that to-day the company has one of the most complete plants for the manufacture of their special line of machinery in Northern New York. In fact this company is the only concern in the United States manufacturing as a specialty sulphite mill machinery. It controls many valuable patents for machinery used in sulphite paper mills, and has built up a reputation in this line all over the country.

A. Wendler, the president and manager of the concern, was born in Zschopan, Germany, in 1863. His father, Carl Wendler, is in- terested in pulp and paper mills at that place, and gave him the best education. After graduating at the Royal College at Chemnitz he studied in Hanover and Berlin, and re- ceived his degree as chemical engineer. At the age of 25, after learning his trade in one of the largest paper mills in Germany, he started on a trip through different countries in Europe and at last came to America, where he worked in some of the best paper mills and machine shops. After three years of hard work he returned to Europe on a visit, and on his return went into partnership with Mr. Spiro, and opened an office as engineers for pulp and paper mills, introducing his patents, together with the latest machinery invented for the pulp industry. One year later the firm of Munro, Spiro & Wendler was organized in order to manufacture their own machinery, which firm was succeeded by Wendler & Company, aLa finally the Wendler Machine Company was organized, and continue the business, although this en- terprising concern has met with some em- barassment, its future is now assured. Its loss to Carthage would be deplored.

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CARLOS L. FREDERICK,

THE oldest merchant in Carthage, N. Y., was born in Perry, Ohio, July 19, 1829. His opportunities for education were very limited, but he had born in him that sincere regard for learning, which makes its possessor pay the price for its acquisition, thankfully de- voting every spare moment of his time to that coveted end. Under favorable environ- ment he developed into the hardy, resolute youth. The father having died when he was but one and a half years old, the family re- moved to Chittenango, Madison county. In 1844 he entered a drug store at Auburn, N. Y., as clerk, and thence forward his life has been devoted to the honorable business he chose at that early age. Remaining at Auburn three years, he removed to Syracuse in 1847, just as he was emerging toward legal manhood, casting there his first vote in favor of making that important village a city, as well as his political vote for Lewis Cass for president. In February, 1850, he married Miss Sophia Paddock, of Mentz, Cayuga county, N. Y.

In May, 1850, he opened a store in Car- thage, receiving his goods via Oswego and Sackets Harbor. His coming was the means of introducing many improvements among the merchants of that town, who had been content to use the old-fashioned oil lamps for lighting their stores; but Mr. Frederick brought out the article known commercially as " camphene," which gave a brilliant, clear light, and the oil lamps in public soon fell into "innocuous desuetude." This is but one illustration of his way of introducing many improvements.

His seven years of service as a pharmaceu- tist gave great confidence to the public in his business, and his reputation in that re- spect is not confined to this section. Being always progressive, and slightly aggressive, Mr. Frederick has been independent in every thing. He has always been active in every improvement of Carthage, the home of his youth and his later years. He has probably, first and last, had more young men who have became successful pharmacists under his tutelage than any other merchant in Jefferson county. They are scattered at several places over the State, and are known as well grounded in their business.

The persistency of Mr. Frederick was well demonstrated in his contest with the Guard - ian Insurance Company, whose merited in- glorious end was brought about by the search-light of investigation which Mr. Frederick's case brought to bear upon that organization after it had attempted to declare as "lapsed" a policy of $2,000, which was derelict, but only technically, as the com- pany had purposely dropped the usual notice for renewal. The outrage thus attempted, and the publicity given to the case through Mr. Frederick's efforts, before the Legisla- ture for four long years of persistent effort, at last forced the enactment of the now well-

known law which requires 30 days' notice to be given of the day of falling due of any pre- mium, no matter whether such notice is waived or not by the terms of the policy, or by its fine-type conditions, so seldom read.

Mr. Frederick's habit of keeping well up with the march of public progress, and in- deed a little ahead of the procession, is shown in the marked improvement of his store- front-building it anew with plate-glass windows, leaving it one of the finest drug and prescription stores in the northern part of the State. Here he manufactures the medicines with which his name has been long identified, among which is the noted Lungwort Syrup, in use in nearly every household in the country.

CARLOS L. FREDERICK.

Nor has he devoted all his powers to the accumulation of property, though in that he has been more than moderately successful. He was in his early youth a leader in all the movements relating to the advancement of the common-school interests of Carthage. In company with able contemporaries, he is one of those who can point to the fine High School building, finished in 1887, now a prominent object in Carthage, as an out- growth of his efforts in obtaining its present site, for he was a trustee under the old law, when, through his efforts and his co-trustees, the change was made to the Union Free School system. In that effort his labors are appreciated, and will be remembered long after he has joined the great majority.

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Mr. Frederick has been in business many years-so long that his daily business rou- tine is now his life. He is noted in being one of the best business advertisers in the country, and believes strongly in printer's ink. His style of advertising is very unique and original. He means to wear out, not rust out, although greatly afflicted by pres- ent poor health and inability to get about with celerity. He has ever taken an active interest in politics, and until 1856 was a life- long Democrat, when he broke away from the unpatriotic traditions of that once power- ful party, and voted for Fremont. since which time he has acted with the Republi- cans. He has held several town offices, and has peremptorily declined to have his name presented for positions of larger responsibil- ity. He may be classed as an earnest parti- zan who, while not desiring office, would follow no party, "right or wrong," and the influence of such men is always powerful.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 165

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