Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 167

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

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GEORGE F. LEWIS,

THE very able photographer at Carthage, was born in Harrisburg, Lewis county, in 1847. He is the son of George and Alice (Gowdy) Lewis, residents of Harrisburg. He

... . .

GEORGE F. LEWIS.

came to Carthage in 1871, and began to learn the art of photography from Mr. S. S. Rich- ards After working for him three years Mr. Lewis purchased the establishment, and has continued the business up to the present time without interruption, excepting during a few months following the fire of December 16, 1892, in which he lost many valuable negatives, now impossible to replace. The following summer he erected the fine block in which he has a studio. Mr. Lewis was married in July, 1874, to Miss Carrie O. Crane. They have reared two children, Grace, aged 19, and Fred W., aged 13. When Mr. Lewis thought of learning photo- graphy he mentally resolved that he would do his very best in everything he undertook. Though country-bred and not having the ad- vantages of travel or any opportunities for visiting the city galleries, he yet pos- sessed a fine appreciation of art, which he has developed in a remarkable degree in his business. By thoroughness he has laid the foundation of a fine reputation as an artist. The writer, who has had some experience among photographers, regards him as stand- ing very near the head of the many able men who take pictures in Jefferson county. Mr. Lewis, in addition to his fine block, has erected a neat residence on South James Street, where he resides, and his home is a typically happy one. He is an official mem- ber of the M. E. Church, and has maintained himself for many years as an accomplished artist and good citizen.

802

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

HENRY W. HAMMOND.

NO MAN connected with the railroads of Northern New York has left a more favor- able impression upon the community than Mr. Hammond, a Carthage boy, son of Theo- dore S. and Mary Ann (Wilkins) Hammond. His father was a courteous and refined gentle- man, much respected for his intelligence and ability, long a land owner and lawyer at Car- thage. His son Henry was born October 26, 1841, and had the advantages of the public schools of Carthage, and also of an academic education. He began railroad life in 1869, and built and operated 12 miles of the Car- thage & Adirondack Railroad for two years, until the wooden rails gave out. He was supervisor of the town of Wilna in 1872 and 1873. In April, 1873, he commenced on the Utica & Black River Railroad as brakeman, and soon became conductor. This position he filled with entire acceptability, receiving much praise from the travelling public, as well as the unqualified commendation of his superiors upon the road. In December, 1879,

he was promoted to assistant superintendent on the Utica & Black River road, which position he held until the latter was sold to the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg road, and then was made division superintendent, with headquarters at Carthage. This posi- tion he held while under the management of the New York Central. He tendered his resignation November 1, 1891. The retire- ment of Mr. Hammond created considerable surprise at the time, but was well understood by his intimate friends. His beloved wife was ill, and he became her devoted and affectionate nurse, his devotion only termin- ating with her death, July 29, 1892. She was the daughter of Henry C. and Alvira Rich, of Carthage.

Mr. Hammond's continual attendance at his home, necessitated by his care for his sick wife, induced him to assume, tempor- arily, the position of station agent at the im- portant village of Carthage. This position he was holding when appointed to the

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WILNA.

superintendency of the western division of the New York & New England Railroad, with headquarters at Hartford, Conn. He remained in that position until the general break-up which grew out of the attacks upon Mr. McLeod, the president of the great Reading Railroad system, and which was fraught with such immense losses to the Reading road, deranging all its relations with other roads. Mr. Hammond did not care to be unfaithful to his chief, and resigned his position when Mr. Parsons retired. Since then he has been a resident of Carthage, and his friends are anxious to again see him con-

nected with railroading, and in a position equal to his abilities.

He deserves the popularity he has earned, for kindness of heart is one of his predomin- ating traits. He is the last representative of his family. His brother, Charles T. Ham- mond, was a prominent lawyer and Mason, and was Master of the Lodge when he died. Frederick, the youngest son, was a telegraph operator and a fine musician. Mrs. T. S. Hammond, their mother, died February 27, 1889, and was a resident of Carthage for 51 years. She and her husband were an excep- tionally happy couple.

MRS. JANE BICKFORD.

THE sudden and almost tragic death of this estimable lady, the oldest native-born in- habitant of Carthage, aroused much sympathy -for she had a large circle of friends and relatives and had lived an honored life, un- stained by any scandal or breath of detrac- tion. She had gone to Thousand Island Park for a few days' pleasure and social enjoy- ment, and was apparently in her usual health and spirits, when, but a few hours after her arrival there, on the 12th of September, 1894, she was suddenly attacked with complete mental paralysis, dying the same night. She never spoke a word after her attack, wholly unconscious of the loving care of her daughter, who had been for many years her mother's constant and affec- tionate companion. Mrs. Bickford was nearly 72 when she died-and all her mature years were years of usefulness and of self-denial. She was one of the few who fully justified " the honors she had gained." The author of this History discovered in her one whose ac- tive mind was ever alive to historical inci- dents. From her was gleaned very much that relates to earliest Carthage, for her father was one of the very first surveyors there, the contemporary of Brodhead and the various agents of the Chassanis (French) Company, who began at Castorland as early as 1793. Herself and her daughter indeed may be said to have prepared much of what is said in these pages about Wilna and Carthage, and those paragraphs relating to the Bonaparte history at Natural Bridge and Lake Bonaparte. Over a part of the ex-king's former possessions in Diana she had journeyed with the writer in pursuit of historical material.

She was married July 14, 1851, to Marcus Bickford, a native of Lowville, but who became early identified with Carthage, and remained so until his death, September 19, 1876. He was for many years regarded, and is still remembered as a well read and pro- gressive man of this town, and a strong political leader in the Republican ranks, of which faith he was a stanch and unflinching advocate.

In March, 1860, he established the paper to which his wife gave its name, the Carthage

Republican, and it was fitting that in its columns should appear a tribute to one who ever kept its interests in her remembrance, and in the early days of its existence labored for its success.

But her years of life are over ; long and busy they have been, and crowned with full- ness of days. "She rests from her labors and her works do follow her."

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bickford : Miss Florence Ida, who is the only surviving member of the family, and Cora H., who died November 1, 1873.

Mrs. Bickford's maiden name was Jane Van Horn Hammond, second daughter of John D. Hammond. She was one of a family of 12 children, seven sons and five daughters. Of the five sisters she was the last survivor, and attained the greatest age, She was born on January 2, 1823, on the Alexandria road, in a house long since removed. She was of a particularly refined nature, possessing very quick intellectual perceptions, and had all the advantages it was possible to enjoy in those early days when the settlers were hew- ing their roof trees, and struggling for a future competence. In addition to possess- ing a superior English education, Mrs. Bick- ford spoke French with accuracy and fluency, even until the day of her death. She was an unusually brilliant conversationalist, and most graceful in expression.

SAMUEL KEYES, now in his 87th year, came to Wilna in 1819. His father took up land on the road leading to Natural Bridge, having removed hither from Montgomery county, N. Y. Wilna was then an almost unbroken wilderness. Samuel Keyes mar- ried Miss Mary Fulton, February 23d, 1831. He has held many town offices, including railroad commissioner, commissioner of ex- cise, and supervisor. He raised three boys and two girls-all the sons are yet living : George, Samuel and Caleb ; one of the daughters, Mrs. Alfreda Palmer, is yet living, but Mrs. Margaret Chaffee is dead. Mr. Keyes is yet vigorous, and the very day we interviewed him he had been hunting deer. His son Caleb conducts the farm.

804

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

DR. SETH FRENCH,

ONE of the best remembered men in the 35th Regiment, in which he was acting-surgeon, and therefore brought in daily contact with the men, was the son of Ezekiel and Sally (Chase) French, who were descended from the families that came to America from Eng- land in 1628-40, and settled in Massachusetts, the mother landing at Plymouth Rock. Ezekiel French was a farmer, settling event- ually in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. He was a custom house officer of the United States government during the war of 1812, and had a brother who served in the battle of Sackets Harbor. From this patri- otic ancestry came Dr. Seth French, the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in 1824, at Potsdam, N. Y., assisting his father on the farm in summers. He received his rudi- mentary education in the common schools, entering later the old St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, teaching school during the winters and working upon the farm in sum- mer. The Doctor's life passed on until the death of his father made it necessary for the older ones of the family to assist themselves. The Doctor started for Natural Bridge, where his uncle, Dr. Elkanah French, was practicing medicine. This was in 1843. His uncle took him into his office, and when our incipient Doctor was sufficiently advanced he presented himself to the president of the Castleton (Vt.) Medical College, requesting admission upon credit, which was granted. The same request was again repeated at the beginning of the second term (the old debt having been paid from the avails of school- teaching during the college vacation), and by such self-denials and struggles the Doctor at last, in 1847, obtained his diploma, and began the practice of medicine. The hardships he thus endured had strengthened a naturally good constitution, and perhaps no young man ever entered upon the practice of a pro- fession in Jefferson county who had higher ambitions or a more honest heart. Armed with these grand equipments, he was pre- pared for any emergency, and his subsequent success as a civilian practitioner of medicine and as a surgeon in the Union army bore evi- dence of his ability and the extent of his acquirements. He practiced at Carthage for two years and was superintendent of schools. In 1849 he started for California via Cape Horn, being 315 days on the journey. Re- maining in California over a year, he was moderately successful, and returned to Car- thage at the end of 1850, and resumed prac- tice. Soon after his return to from California Dr. French married Miss Harriet Guyot, daughter of Bazille Guyot, one of the early settlers of Carthage, whose descendants are yet prominently connected with its mechani- cal pursuits. The Doctor remained in active practice at Carthage until 1854, when he re- moved to Redwood. It was while practicing at Redwood that the attack was made upon

Fort Sumter. He assisted in raising Com- pany I, of the 35th N. Y. Vol. Infantry. Into this work he entered with his usual energy, and the company was soon filled. The doctor accompanied that organization to Elmira, and was the men's medical attendant during the rendevous there, and subse- quently mustered into the United States ser- vice with his regiment as 1st assistant surgeon, in which capacity he accompanied his com- rades to Washington and to the front, sharing in all its privations and varied service during the next two years. His arduous care for the sick endeared him to the entire com- mand, and he is gratefully remembered as an honorable, high-toned officer. The gallant old 35th never made a march nor fought a battle when Dr. French was not present. In the spring of 1863 he was promoted to be surgeon of the 21st N. Y. Regiment of In- fantry, and detailed for duty as acting sur- geon of the 35th.

On being mustered out of service the Doc- tor removed to Eau Clair, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the drug trade for 10 years. His services in the field had brought on attacks of rheumatism, which turned his thoughts more or less towards a warmer climate for winter. His attention was at- tracted towards Sanford, Florida, upon the St. Johns river, at the head of large steamer transportation on Lake Monroe. At Sanford he made his home from 1872 to 1875 and en- gaged in the cultivation of oranges and other semi-tropical fruits.

The Doctor and his partners purchased a tract of 7,000 acres in Volusia county, about 15 miles from Sanford, and on it established what is now known as Orange City, Florida. He was elected State Senator in the mean- time. The 7,000 acres were sold to actual settlers, the lands proving exceptionally fine for orange-culture. The Doctor's services as State Senator resulted in the establishment of the Florida Bureau of Immigration (the first in the South after the war), of which he was its commissioner. The literature emanating from his office at Jacksonville ("Florida as it is "), did much to spread information relating to that State. His assistant was Watertown's well-known and honored townsman, Mr. Samuel Fairbanks. The direct results of that class of literature have been frequent and important. In 1881 he removed again to Sanford, which is his present home.

The Doctor and Mrs. French have reared three children: Adele, the wife of Mr. Edward T. Lane, of Anderson, Indiana ; Hattie, wife of Mr. Wm. F. Leavitt, of San- ford, Fla., and A. V. French, the only son, who resides near Sanford, and is engaged in orange culture.

The history of Dr. French illustrates in a marked degree what perseverance, energy and integrity will accomplish. He began poor and was not favored by influential

H. R.O. ENG. 10. SYR. A.Y.

MR. AND MRS. SETH FRENCH, SANFORD, FLA.

WII.NA.

805

friends, but he built up a name for integrity and skill as a physician that will endure long after he has passed away. Once, when a boy, he visited the Hon. Silas Wright, at Canton, and Mr. Wright asked him what he proposed to become. Young French replied, " Well, sir, I don't know." Mr. Wright turned to him and in all earnestness said, "My young friend, you can become any- thing you desire." This was ever an incen- tive to the Doctor. He aimed high, and though he has probably never achieved what he sometimes hoped to, he has at least

MARTIN RUGG

WAS born near Martinsburg in 1818, son of Elijah Rugg, who came from Vermont. At the age of 10 Martin's parents removed to Pamelia, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1836 he came to Carthage, where he soon began business for himself, and rapidly accumulated a fortune. He retired from business in 1881, and has since then de- voted himself to the care of his estate. He has been an estimable citizen for many years, and enjoys the respect of his neighbors. Mr.

RESIDENCE OF MARTIN RUGG, CARTHAGE.

achieved enduring remembrance in the hearts of the men with whom he served in the Union army. His life shows what even a poor boy can attain in this free land. Indeed, we know of no life that has been spent in this county which contains more encouragement for a struggling young man than that of Dr French. We knew him well in the field, for he gave tender care to many of my wounded men, some of whom he stood over in death. He was a courageous man, the shriek of shells never made him nervous. He was the soldier's friend. J. A. H.

Rugg has the handsomest private resi- dence in Carthage. He had three brothers, Charles, George and Silas, all deceased, and they were respected citizens. George was a resident of New York city during the latter part of his life, and his family resides in that city. Mrs. Silas Rugg is a resident of Car- thage. Charles Rugg conducted a brick yard for several years in Carthage. This family has been unusually industrious and enterprising and are another illustration of what labor and sticking to it will accomplish joined to good health.

806

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

BRIEF MENTION OF FORMER RESI- DENTS AND BUSINESS MEN.

O. T. ATWOOD, associate editor of the Republican for a short time and an attorney and counsellor-at-law, and afterward clerk in the Treasury Department at Washington.

MICHAEL D. MCCANNA was a popular post- master and universally respected.

CAPTAIN J. A. BROWN was a veteran of the late war and in a rebel prison for two years. His health was undermined by the hardships endured while in prison.

JOHN C. KELLOGG reared a large family of children and afterward married Mrs. Lydia Hoyt. He was an enterprising citizen.

JOHN T. WALSH built the Mechanics' Hall Block and has been a business man of Car- thage for many years; now retired.

NOYES TUTTLE was for many years pro- prietor of a grist-mill in Carthage and moved to Utica, where he and his wife died.

JESSE VANSLYKE kept the Levis House, and died March 10, 1865, aged 35, leaving many friends.

H. C. RICH, who resided for many years on the site of the Bones block in a house long since destroyed.

WM. H. HUBBY, who with Deacon Weed were once prominent business men, under the name of Hubby & Weed. Mr. Hubby was an active, shrewd man. Visiting Mil- waukee on business, he lost his life by the wreck of the Lady Elgin.

CLARK WAY, a prominent merchant of Carthage, who sold out to Mr. C. Frederick. He was a citizen whose death, September 14, 1860, cast a gloom over the community. Resolutions of respect by Carthage Lodge, No. 158, were signed by Joseph Crowner, Chas. T. Hammond and George Gilbert, com- mittee, now all deceased.

DR. B. S. BUDD, for many years a prac- ticing physician of Carthage. His son, William C., was killed in battle in an Iowa regiment. B. C. Budd, another son, was also in the service and won distinction.

JAMES T. PEDEN, for many years a pop- ular physician of Carthage.

RICHARD GALLAGHER was one of the early merchants of Carthage building the Gal- lagher block, and was associated with Mr. Woolson at one time in the furniture busi- ness, manufacturing the same by horse- power. Mr. Gallagher was a leading citizen and merchant and one of the prime movers in the introduction of the present free school system. He was twice married and reared a large family, and died in the spring of 1890. A steamboat on Black river, built in 1860, was named after him.

ABEL NUTTING, who was captain of home guards and in the late war, serving with dis- tinction.

ALMONT BARNES, formerly editor of the Black River Budget, was captain of Com- pany C., 1st N. Y. Artillery, and was active in recruiting soldiers. He was lieutenant in the Carthage Battery.

ALVA WILSON, another editor of the Black River Budget, was captain in an Iowa regi- ment.

CHARLES W. SMITH, supervisor of the town of Wilna in 1860, was a gentleman who had many friends. He and his wife died universally respected.

CLARK DODGE, for many years a promi- nent merchant of Carthage, and a banker in Boonville at the time of his death. In early manhood he was a wagon-maker in Carthage. He built Dodge block, which was burned in 1861, and a fine residence on State street, burned in 1884. Hisson, Eugene, is a banker in Boonville, and was a lieutenant in the late war.

TITUS MORGAN was for many years in the harness business in Carthage, and was postmaster in 1861. He and his wife were Universalists in belief, and lived honorable lives, the most of which was spent in Car- thage. His father, Pliny Morgan, came to his death by falling down stairs, and died in Wilna, March 3, 1863, aged 92 years.

HENRY B. EDMONDS was born in the town of Orleans in 1840, and is the son of Benja- min D. Edmonds. He came to Carthage in 1876, where he acted as station agent for the Utica & Black River R. R. until 1887, when he interested himself in insurance. In 1893 he was elected justice of the peace. He mar- ried Mary A. Miller, of Orleans, and they have one son, Harry J. Mr. Edmonds is a thorough business man, who has many friends.

JOHN BETTIS VINIER was born in Canada, in 1814, and came to Carthage when a lad. He married Alice, daughter of Alexander Yattau, both of French descent. They had 10 children, four living : John B. and Frank served in the late war, now deceased ; Eleazer J. and George are business men of Carthage; Mary Alice, his daughter, is the wife of Victor Guyot, of Carthage. John B. Vinier, the father, has been a life-long resi- dent of Carthage, and a quiet and respected citizen, His wife died in April, 1894, aged 71 years.

HENRY HABERER was village undertaker, and a business man of Carthage for many years. His sons are large furniture manu- facturers at Lowville.

CHARLES H. KIMBALL, a well-known resi- dent of Carthage, was born July 17, 1812, and was the son of Richard H. and Deborah (Saltmarsh) Kimball, of Haverhill, Mass. He married Miss Julia V. Vinton, of Cornish, N. H. Their children are: Mrs. Julia Briggs, of Rome, N. Y .; Mrs. Augusta V. Smith, of Boston, Mass .; Mrs. Carrie S. Wilmot, of Watertown; Mrs. Mary K. Mason, of James- town, N. Y .; Mrs. Deborah K. Foster, of Parsons, Kan., and Hon. Charles H. Kimball, Jr., of the same place, where he is State Sen- ator. Mr. Kimball, Sr., died in 1883. His widow survives him a most estimable lady. Mr. Kimball was a skillful stone mason and built many of the most substantial buildings of Carthage.

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WILNA.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

GEORGE B. FARRINGTON was the second son of Harvey and Delia (Ellis) Farrington, who came from Dedham, Mass., to Water- town to reside. After spending some years there they bought a farm in Rutland, where their son George was born. From there they removed to Carthage, where he remained until the age of 14 years; then going to Watertown he became a clerk in the store of Cady & Hawks. From there he went to New York, when, at the age of 20, he be- came junior member of the dry goods house of Eno, Roberts & Co. Unfortunately the house did a large business in the South, and at the time of the Rebellion was, with so many others, a victim. He then engaged in the tea-business, and for more that 20 years successfully conducted one of the largest trades of the kind in New York city. His success in business was largely owing to his honor and integrity. His only capital at the beginning was the possession of those virtues in a marked degree. Early in life he mar- ried Amelia A., the only daughter of James P. Hodgkins, and for 35 years spent an ex- ceptionally happy married life in Brooklyn. Perhaps we can better portray his true char- acter by giving what his neighbors and friends said of him at his death, which 'occurred December 6, 1892: "He was all that constituted a great man-in strength of character, in majesty and culture of intellect, in refinement and tenderness of manly affec- tion, in his firm devotion to the sentiments of truth. He possessed a wealth of manhood that made him stand in reality, as he did in physical stature, head and shoulders above the multitudes. He was a man who would have graced the highest position in our nation, but who cast aside flattering offers of political honors. He preferred the quiet of his family and companionship of his books. He was diligent in business, generous with his means, and has left an indellible influence for good upon the young wherever his char- acter was understood."

NICHOLAS WAGONER, a prominent resident of Carthage and Wilna for 35 years, was born July 12, 1828, at Fort Plain, N. Y., the son of William and Leah Wagoner. He was one of a large family of children, and when about 15 years of age came with his parents to Natural Bridge and assisted' at clearing and stocking the farm. He became tired of agricultural pursuits and in in 1850 removed to Carthage and purchased a canal boat. Success attended his efforts. For many years he was the only coal dealer in Car- thage. In 1853 he married Miss Ellen P Levis, daughter of the late William P. Levis (who came to Carthage in 1837, and died in 1873). Mr. Wagoner's children are: E. C. Wagoner, Carrie (Mrs. George Manchester, . of Pittsburg, Pa.), and Grace. Mr. Wagoner was a firm Republican, and was often called to fill positions of trust. He was president

of the village three terms, trustee of the vil- lage 17 terms, and at the time of his death in 1886, was the village and town assessor, which office he had held for many years. For a number of years he was treasurer of the Carthage Union Agricultural Society. "Nick," as he was familiarly called, was the friend of everybody and universally beloved and esteemed. His widow resides in Car- thage with her son.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 167

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