Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 170

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

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894 > Part 170

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portant missions. In 1862 he was sent to the front as war correspondent, and did valiant service as such until the conflict ended. After over 50 years of work he is still active and vigorous, and much beloved by all asso- ciates, old or young. He has been furnish- ing New Jersey news for the World, Tribune, Times, Sun and other New York and New Jersey papers, and at 65 is hale, sound and hearty, a hard worker, and a friend to all newspaper men.

JOHN SMITH was one of the oldest and best remembered citizens of Wilna. He came from New Jersey, and located on a farm about 1823, on road 63. The old stone house which he built still stands, around which cluster many pleasant memories of the gener- ous hospitality of the host and of his good wife. John Smith married Susanna Ryneer, and they had 11 children. Larissa, Eveline, Julia, Elmira, Madeline, Susanna, John, Jr., Alonzo and Joseph reached maturity. John Smith died in the old house, aged 84 years. The children of John Smith married, and be- came prominent citizens in thetown of Wilna.

MRS. MARIANNA SMITH, widow of Alonzo Smith, was the daughter of Jean Disere Balmont, who was one of the original Cas- torland settlers. He was born in the suburbs of San Antoinne, Paris, about 1776, and wit- nessed some of the awful scenes at Paris, when 1,400 of the best blood of France passed under the guillotine in one month. He came to America in 1796, and in 1797 he was followed by his father and mother. There were only 41 buildings in Utica when he passed through that city. He took up land at Utica, and remained there his first year. In 1798 he came to Castorland, where so many French emigrants had settled. Pre- vious to the removal of the Balmont family from Paris they were well-to-do people, and had means of their own to be comfortable wherever they might have settled. But a residence of several years at Castorland nearly exhausted their means, and in 1803 Mr. Bal- mont came to Carthage. His aged mother died in 1802, and the friendship of the In- dians who were then remaining in the county was evidenced by their attendance at the funeral and taking a respectful interest in the burial. One of the Balmont family was an intrepid traveller, being the first man who ever ascended Mt. Blanc, for which he re- ceived due credit in the history of that world-known mountain. The first mill ever brought to Castorland was brought from France by this same J. V. Balmont. Noadiah Hubbard, of Champion, a contemporary of Balmont, was known to travel from Cham- pion to Castorland to get his corn ground in that mill. The sufferings of the people of Castorland, most of them Parisiennes, coming into that almost unbroken wilderness, were often pitiable, and particularly hard upon the women and children. Many tales are told of homesickness and destitution. [See article upon Castorland, page 113]. These Castor- land emigres, for tea used the "evanroot,"

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and for coffee they used the plant known as " maiden hair." Their main dependence for meat was upon the game they could kill. The mill named above could only grind corn to a consistency which the old settlers desig- nated as "samp." The children of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Smith are John D., Alexis L. and Louie A. They are all living. Mrs. Smith resides on the farm where her husband, Alonzo, died, January 4, 1892, after 40 years of happy married life.

GEORGE O'LEARY was born in Skibbereen, in Western Ireland, in 1813. His father was a shoemaker. At 19 years of age he came to America, via Quebec. The first work he did was for old Joshua Babcock, at Felts Mills, father of H. H. Babcock, of Watertown. In 1836 he married Alice Wood. They reared five children. In 1837 they removed to Car- thage, and established a shop for manufac- turing shoes. He was prospered, remaining three years, when he removed to Sterling- ville, where he remained 14 years, being postmaster and justice of the peace and deputy sheriff. After his long residence there he removed to Carthage, where he was a police justice, and has resided many years. He is quite hale and hearty in his 81st year- a genial old gentleman. Miss Antoinette- Sterling, the distinguished singer, writes from England that she received her first in- clinations towards literature and voice cul- ture from Mr. O'Leary-a most graceful tribute from a lady whose musical ability has found recognition both in America and in England.

HUGH DUNLAVA, a soldier of the War of 1812, came to Carthage at an early day. Thomas, his son, and one of seven children, was for many years a reliable, skillful work- man in McCollom's nail works, and other machine shops of Carthage. He married Melissa Butts, of Wilna, and they reared five children. Both are still residents of Carthage, he at the advanced age of 83, and quite feeble. Edward, another son of Hugh, followed the same business as his brother Thomas, and served in the late war in Com- pany I, 94th Regiment. He was acciden- tally killed while at work. Edward's widow survives him.

MRS. ANDREW B. CARTER, a native of Wilna, is descended, upon the father's side, from the Keyes family, her father having been William Henry Keyes. On her mother's side she is descended from the old Redfield- Sykes-Mansfield families, all of them much respected and well-remembered citizens of Watertown. Her husband, Mr. A. B. Car- ter, has been for many years a messenger of the American Express company, and is a native of Watertown. The old homestead was burned in 1885, the year President Ben- jamin Harrison was elected, and Mrs. Carter resolved to build a log-house, on the site of the old Keyes house, commemorative of Gen. Harrison's election. Her dwelling is unique and commodious. She is a lady of much refinement and ability, and her mind

is well stored with historical and local inci- dents. The late William Wirt Sykes was her relative, which makes her a connection, by marriage, with the distinguished Olive Logan.

JOHN JAMES DEVOIS emigrated from Paris, France, with his wife and one son, Francis, about 1797, and located at Beaver River, Lewis county, N. Y., where he died about 1803. In 1808 Francis Devois came to this town with his mother and located on a farm. He married Margaret Daley, by whom he had eight children. Charles died on the old homestead March 8, 1892. His mother, Mrs. Devois, died in February, 1893, aged over 80 years. His second wife, Maria (Fulton) Devois, died March 2, 1895, aged 40 years.

AUGUSTUS KESLER has for many years been closely identified with the growth of the village and its business interests. He was born in Carthage, July 22, 1857. His father was a boot and shoe merchant, and two sons, George and Augustus, succeeded him. The latter retired and purchased the L. H. Mills saw-mill property, which was afterwards destroyed by fire. He soon rebuilt and still owns it, manufacturing large quantities of lumber. He built and placed upon the river the steamboat L. J. Goodale, which is used as a pleasure-boat in the summer. By his determination and perseverance he was instru- mental in having a law passed declaring Fish and Alder creeks on Beaver river a public highway for floating logs. These streams had been previously controled by one party, who required a consideration for the accom- modation of floating down logs. Mr. Kesler has been largely interested in building and dealing in real estate. He has erected 51 private residences and one hotel. He was twice elected trustee of the village of Car- thage, serving four years, and has been water commissioner.

LEVI CLARK HUBBARD was born in Cham- pion, October 5, 1836. His father, after whom he was named, was one of the early settlers of Champion. His mother was Polly R. Clark. They had seven children. L. C. Hubbard, as a boy, had a great desire to re- ceive an education and become a professional man. But his father with a large family could not bestow the advantage he coveted. The old adage in this case proved true, "Where there's a will there's a way," and Levi Clark, through many discouragements, cultivated his love for books and developed a talent for writing, becoming a contributor for newspapers, sometimes in the form of verse. His mother died in Lewis county in 1846. In 1857 he married Harriet L. Gilbert, of Farmersville, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., who died within a year. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, he was active in raising volunteers for the 35th Regiment in Carthage. The hardships of a soldier's life and a disability contracted in that climate rendered him finally unfit for field duty, and he was appointed messenger in charge of the

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

mail, which position he held until his dis- charge, June 11, 1863. He was then married to Jerusha M. Cooley, by whom he had one daughter, Miss Pearl, who has kept house for her father since her mother's death, May 12, 1886. Mr. Hubbard entered Albany Medical College in 1880, and graduated with the class in 1882 with a high rating, receiv- ing his degree of M. D., also A. B. He was elected poet of his class. He is now a resi- dent of Carthage and practicing his pro- fession.

HORACE HOOKER, for many years a prom- inent merchant and leading citizen of Car- thage (where he was born in 1824), was the son of Seth and Calista (Nimocks) Hooker. His brother Ralph was his partner for several years. The father, Seth, came from New Britain, Conn., to Carthage about 1817, and opened a general store and was also post- master. He kept the toll-gate on the bridge and was an inventive genius. He died in 1882, and his wife in 1888. Horace and the rest of the family were born in the old house near the bridge, and later resided in the well- remembered stone house which formerly stood on the site of the Hotel Elmhirst. Horace married Ellen A., daughter of Rev. Elisha Sawyer, who died in 1868, leaving three daughters. In 1876 he married Pamelia, widow of William C. LeFever, of Carthage. At the time of his death Mr. Hooker was the oldest merchant in Carthage, antedating Mr. Frederick one year. He was an active and highly respected citizen, holding many posi- tions of trust in the town. He died in West Carthage November 12, 1891, aged 67 years, leaving a memory which is free from re- proach, and the world is better for his hav- ing lived in it. His widow and three daughters survive him.

NELSON D. FERGUSON, M. D., a resident of Carthage almost continuously for more than four decades, has since early manhood been identified with its social, business and politi- cal interests. He is a physician and surgeon of acknowledged ability, and considered au- thority in difficult cases. In the fall of 1861 he entered the army as a surgeon, and for more than three years was in active field service. Was taken prisoner and in Libby Prison for four days, at the expiration of which time he was exchanged. For 16 days he was in charge of the prison hospital at Richmond. He is a past commander of Steele Post of Carthage. In 1865 he was Member of Assembly, and for three years was county clerk. He and his amiable wife are highly respected and have many friends both in Carthage and at their summer home on the St. Lawrence.

FERNANDO HUBBARD, for many years a merchant of Carthage, is the son of Heman Hubbard. Fernando's paternal grandmother reached the extreme age of 104, and died in West Carthage in 1877. He married Miss Kate Harris in 1861, now deceased. Mr Hubbard has held many responsible positions in Carthage and is an enterprising citizen.

HENRY J. ERVIN, son of Durgas Ervin, was born in Lewis county and brought up on a farm. He served in the Mississippi squadron over two years. They were in several engagements at Vicksburg and up the Red River. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, and soon after came to Carthage, where he has been chief of police, constable, and held other minor offices. In 1876 he was married to Miss Adelaide Stillman, and they have four chil- dren.

PATRICK VILLARS Was born in Ireland, and has been a resident of Carthage about 20 years. He was a former resident of Antwerp, where he engaged in farming. He is with his son Edward in the drug business in Car- thage, and they are among the most re- spected citizens of that place.

ZEBINA CHAFFEE, son of Clifford, was born in Westminster, Vt., and about 1818 or 1819 came to Wilna and located at Natural Bridge. He was a carpenter by trade, and assisted in building the Bonaparte house. He died in 1850. He married Lucy Nutting, of Westminster, Vt., and they had six children. Ira V., his son, was born in Natural Bridge, June 25, 1821. He married Eliza, daughter of Stiles Brown, of Diana, Lewis county, in 1850. Four children were born to them.

CALVIN COWAN, son of Isaac, was born in Lanesborough, Mass., and when young lo- cated in Lewis county, N. Y., where he mar- ried Abi Weed, of Lowville. In 1828 he came to the town of Wilna, where he re- mained but a few years. After the death of his wife he resided with his son, Herman, until his decease. He had eight children. Herman Cowan, his son, was born in Depau- ville, April 1, 1819. In 1846 he married Almira M. Frasier, of Wilna. His wife died in 1888. They had eight children. Mr. Cowan married, second, Mrs. Margaretta H. Townsend, and they still reside in Wilna.

CRANSON GATES located in the town of Wilna about 1830, settling on a farm, where he remained a few years, when he removed to the farm now occupied by W. J. Scott, and here resided until his death. He owned the saw-mill known as the Gates mill. He reared a family of seven children. Julius K. was born January 11, 1836. He was the first to enlist from the town of Wilna, in April, 1861, and served in Company B, 35th N. Y. Volunteers. He is now a resident of Carthage.

THOMAS BURNS, from Ireland, located in Carthage in 1829. About 1831 he removed to Lewis county, and two years later return- ed Wilna, where he died in 1880. He fol- lowed the occupation of farming. His wife, Catharine Gormley, bore him 12 children. His son, James W., was born November 16, 1837. In 1864 he enlisted in Company A, 186th Regt. N. Y. Volunteers, and was dis- charged June 2, 1865. In 1866 he married Patience, daughter of Isaac Blanchard. Mr. Thomas Burns has always resided in the town, engaged in the lumber trade.

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WILNA.

TRUMAN CROWNER, son of Peter, was born in Washington county, N. Y. He mar- ried Polly Clintsman, and located in Lewis county, where he reared a family of 10 sons and three daughters. About 1830 he re- moved to Wilna, and located near the centre of the town, where he remained until his death. States Crowner, his son, married Lorinda M., daughter of Orlo Stanard, in 1852.

JACOB CLEARWATER, son of Daniel, was born in Marbletown, Ulster county, and about 1836 came to the town of Wilna. About 1842 he located upon the farm, on road 79. He married Hester Sheley, of Johnstown, N. Y., by whom he had five sons and two daughters. He married Helen, daughter of V. P. Hanson, of Theresa, and they had one son, Victor H.

MILTON H. CARTER, was born in Lewis county, N. Y., in 1807. In 1837, with his wife, Sarah, he came to Wilna, where he resided until 1848, when he removed to his farm. Here he resided until 1866, when he removed to Denmark, Lewis county, where he died in 1874. He was supervisor of Wilna in 1845, and also held other town offices. He had a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Mr. Carter enlisted in Company E, 20th N. Y. Cavalry, in 1863, served as quartermaster-sergeant, and was discharged in the fall of 1864. His son, Norris M. Carter, was a prominent surgeon in the army, now deceased.

JOHN JOHNSON removed from Oneida county and located in Carthage, where he resided about 16 years. He was a moulder and iron worker by trade. Of his seven children, John B. was for many years a merchant in Carthage ; Julia A. married J. P. Hodgkins, of Carthage, and now lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Epaphroditus now re- sides near Carthage. The latter was born April 3, 1814, and in 1838 married Martha L. Gates, and settled in Sterlingville, where he worked at the moulding and iron-working trade. Upon the death of his wife, about 11 months after their marriage, he removed to Wilna, where he married Cornelia, daughter of Rev. Harvey DeWolf, and was located upon a farm for five years. Mr. Johnson en- listed in Company E, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, January 4, 1863, and was discharg- ed November 28, 1865. After an absence of several years in Pennsylvania, he returned to Carthage and married the widow of John Grannis, now deceased.

NELSON W. LANPHEAR, son of Jeremiah and Fanny (Fulton) Lanphear, was born in the town of Wilna, June 16, 1841. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, 20th N. Y. Cavalry, and was discharged in May, 1865, from Balfour Hospital. In November, 1870, he married Sarah M., daughter of Abram and Samantha (Loomis) Smith, and settled on the homestead, where he resided until 1889, when he removed to Carthage village. He has three children : Herbert S., Fanny S. and Fred.

GUY E. PENNIMAN, son of Zuriel, was born in the town of Rutland, January 4, 1828. In 1850 he married Madeline M., daughter of John Smith, of Wilna, and lo- cated in this town, on road 75, where he now resides. He has two children, Guy, who re- sides in Carthage, and Carrie (Mrs. Dexter Crowner). Zurial Penniman came from Keene, N. H., in 1815.

SOLOMON ASHCRAFT came from Guilford, Vt., to the town of Wilna, about 1850, and located at Natural Bridge, where he engaged in the manufacture of broom handles. He died in 1879, aged 71 years. His son, Eugene S., married Amelia Ann, daughter of Philip Covey, Mr. Ashcraft is a carpenter by trade. When 19 years of age, while hunting in the town of Vernon, Vt., he sus- tained an accident to his foot, which necessi- tated its amputation.

LEVI WOOD, son of Joshua A .. was born in LeRay, September 2, 1826. He learned the moulder's trade in Watertown, and in 1851 married Lucinda M. Hotchkins, and located in Carthage. He served one year in Company D, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. He married, second, Mrs. Catharine Tripp. His first wife bore him two children.

JOHN W. OWEN, son of William and Sarah Owen, was born in Felts Mills, October 28, 1830. He attended the common schools until about 13 years of age, and then entered the Academy at Canandaigua, where he re- mained four years. For two years he prac- ticed medicine in Avon, N. Y., and subse- quently travelled and lectured on hygiene. In 1852 he located in Carthage, where he is now in practice. He married, first, Elvira Monroe, and second, Ellen Burke.

EBER MAYHUE came from Canada to this town in 1858, and located on a farm. He followed the dual occupation of blacksmith and farmer. He married Susannah, daugh- ter of John Smith, by whom he had a daugh- ter, Florence O., who married Dan Sterling, and has two children, Julia and Eber.

GEORGE GILBERT, son of Berzilla and Asenath Gilbert, was born December 18, 1828, in the town of Northampton, N. Y. His ancestors were of French and English descent, and his grandparents were natives of Connecticut. Both of his grandfathers served in the Revolutionary War. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1853, and was admitted to practice in the district courts of the United States in 1862. June 30, 1854, Mr. Gilbert located in Carthage village. He served as town clerk and justice of the peace one term. From 1861 his influence was with the Republican party. July 7, 1875, Mr. Gilbert married Hattie C. McAllister, daugh- ter of Harvel McAllister, of Stowe, Vt., by whom he had four children. Mr. Gilbert was a prominent citizen of the town, and was identified with the principal enterprises for its commercial advancement. It was through his efforts that the requisite legisla- tion was secured in favor of the construction of the last lock and dam upon what is known

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

as the "Black River improvement," which was really the completion of the Black River Canal. He was vice-president, secre- tary, director, and general manager of the Black River & St. Lawrence River Railway Company, whose interests were afterwards merged in the Carthage and Adirondack Railway Company, and was a member of the first board of directors in the latter organiza- tion. He died at his home, in Carthage, after a brief illness, March 19, 1890. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church,

DAVID REYNOLDS, son of John, was born in Sligo, Ireland, and about 1830 immigrated with his parents to this country, and located in the town of Alexandria. He married Lois B., daughter of William Holmes, of Alexan- dria, in 1848, and located at Barnes Settle- ment, and here remained until 1860, when he removed to Wilna, and bought the farm once occupied by Madam de Ferriet, and here re- sided until his death in 1881.

JACOB BLISS was born in Hartwick, Otsego county, N. Y., June 15, 1818, and in in 1827 came with his parents to Watertown. He was married three times, first to Permelia Tallman, who bore him two children, and died in 1852 ; second to Almira Derby, who bore him one child, and died in 1856; and third to Margaret Kilmer, who bore him one child. He has been a machinist since 1844, and now resides in Utica. He carried on a machine shop in Bellville, Canada, six years, and in Watertown eight years. Orlando T. Bliss, son of Jacob, served in the 10th N. Y. H. A., and was promoted to captain.

C. C. LAKE, son of Jesse, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., May 8, 1838. In 1862 he removed with his wife to this town, and located at Natural Bridge, where he engaged in carpentering. August 17, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 186th N. Y. Vols., and was dis- charged June 13, 1865. He participated in the battle of Petersburg. He has been jus- tice of the peace several years, and is now in the manufacturing business.

MOSES C. MERRILL, son of Moses, was born in Connecticut, and about 1806 removed to the town of Champion, where he married Philena, daughter of Abel and Elizabeth Crandall, and settled on a farm. He was a deacon in the Baptist church for many years, and died in 1838. His wife died in 1855. He had a family of 15 children, 13 of whom attained mature years. Moses L. Merrill, his son, was born in Champion in 1811. Moses had two sons, Erwin M. and Samuel L. In October, 1861, Erwin M. enlisted as second lieutenant in Co. I, 94th N. Y. Vols., and re- signed September 13, 1862. In 1864 he was commissioned captain of Co. K, 17th Regt. U. S. Col. Inf., and was mustered out April 25, 1866. Dr. Samuel Merrill in 1861 com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. G. N. Hubbard. In 1864 he entered the army as a contract surgeon, and was located at Nash- ville, Tenn. He graduated at Nashville in 1865, and in May entered the 17th Regt. U.

S. Col. Inf. as assistant surgeon. He then came to Carthage and engaged in the drug business with his brother, E. M. In 1877 he removed to Mannsville, and remained 10 years, when he returned to Carthage where he now resides. He marricd, first, Mary E. Osborn, by whom he had three children, one of whom is living, Mrs. Foster Wilcox, of Utica, N. Y. He married for his second wife Ellen E. Brown, of Mannsville. Erwin M. Merrill married Ellen M. Gates, of Gouver- neur, by whom he had seven children. His wife died in 1888. He is engaged in the drug business in Carthage.

HARRY DAVIS removed from Saratoga county, N. Y., to the town of Pamelia with his mother, about 1812, and there lived until about 1838, when he removed to the town of Philadelphia, and settled in Sterlingille. He drove stage from Watertown to Sterlingville and Antwerp, and was well known in that locality. He married Martha C. Foster, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are living, viz .: George N. of Car- thage, and James H. and Martha F. (Mrs. Martin De Tamble), of Carthage. James H. married Ida A. Van Amber, and they have had three children, one of whom, Hattie L., is living.

JOSEPH MICK, son of Michael, came to Wilna from New Jersey, about 1829. He was a moulder, and worked in the foundry, and also purchased and worked the farm now occupied by George Hosford. He married Alice, daughter of Thomas Gustin, and they had three children.

JOEL B. HURLBURT, son of Josiah, was born October 20, 1840. He married, first, Lucena, daughter of Nicholas Mealos, of Antwerp, in 1860, by whom he had three children. For his second wife he married Cora, daughter of Wesley Blanchard, of Diana, and they have two children. In August, 1862, Mr. Hurlburt enlisted in Co. C, 10th N. Y. H. A., and in 1863 was dis- charged for disability. In 1870 he came to Natural Bridge. In 1875 he erected a small building, and opened a grocery and meat market. In 1877 he built the store he now occupies, and in 1878 built the Hurlburt House. In 1888 he erected the opera house. In politics he has always been a Democrat.

WILLIAM H. DELMORE, son of Thomas, was born in Croghan, Lewis county, June 8, 1858. He worked upon a farm and attended school until 1872, when he came to Carthage, and opened a meat market in company with John Pittock. He was also in the grocery business five years. In 1885 he bought the Cold Spring Brewery, which was burned in 1888. In 1887-88-89 he served as supervisor of the town, was re-elected for the term of 1890, and in 1889 was elected president of the village of Carthage. October 17, 1876, he married Ellen O'Connor, and they have two children. In 1887 he built the Delmore block, one of the finest buildings in Car- thage. He is largely interested in real estate and in the prosperity of the village.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 170

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