Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 171

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 171

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821

WILNA.

H. D. BINGLE, M. D., a native of Ger- many, came to America with his parents when a youth, and located in Naumburg, Lewis county. He was educated in the dis- trict school and Lowville Academy, and in 1877, when 21 years of age, came to Car- thage and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. N. D. Ferguson. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1881. In 1882 he located in Denmark, in 1883 in Deer River and in 1886 in Carthage, where he is now in practice. In 1889 he married Minnie C., daughter of W. R. Thompson, of Carthage.

CHARLES S. DRURY, son of Charles H., was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county, in 1856. He graduated from the University of Vermont at Burlington in 1880, and the same year commenced the practice of his profes- sion at Great Bend, in the town of Champion. In April, 1883, he located at Natural Bridge, where he now resides. He married Addie M., daughter of Sidney Morrison, of Winooski, Vt., and they have one daughter, Vera B., born September 29, 1884.

GRANSON LEWISmarried Merab N. Chaffee, daughter of Zebina Chaffee, who came from Vermont. Mr. Lewis located on a farm, and here he kept a hotel. He had five children, viz .: Nelson, Emeline, Hendrickson, Colum- bus and Lucia A., of whom two are living, Columbus, in Oakland, Cal., and Lucia A., (Mrs. John R. Washburn), wife of the super- intendent of the county house.

H. K. LAMPHEAR, son of Jeremiah, was born August 1, 1838. In 1860 he inarried Achsah C. Loomis, daughter of Wilson, of Champion. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 186th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged in June, 1865. He has two childred, Wilson L. and Lillian A.

PETER CROWNER, son of Truman, married Susan, daughter of William Adams, of Ant werp, and located on a farm. He had born to him seven children, viz .: Amyr, who en- listed in Co. I, 14th N. Y. H. A., and was killed in battle at Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864; Mucious, Truman A., Hubert B., Marion, Louise E. and Byron (deceased). Peter Crowner died January 13, 1865. His widow married Joel Crowner.

JOHN I. PASSENGER came from Albany county, N. Y., to Wilna among the early settlers. He was well known throughout the county, snd was said to have been the first who laid out the frame of a barn with a square rule He had born to him 12 child- ren. James, his son married Louisa, daugh- ter of David Whinney. He had two child- ren, viz .: Nettie C. (Mrs. James J. Wilson) and Sherman W. Peter Passenger, son of John I., served in the late war in the 4th Michigan Cavalry, and was one of the com- pany which captured Jeff, Davis at the close of the war. Diantha Passenger married Charles Ward, who enlisted in Co. F. 193d N. Y. Vols., March 6, 1865, and was dis- charged January 18, 1866. Mr. Ward was a pensioner, and died February 3, 1887. Mrs. Passenger died March 7, 1875.

JOHN FARR, son of John, came from Pennsylvania to the town of Wilna at an early day, located in Carthage village, and engaged in making iron for Mr. LeRay. He married Susan McClain, by whom he had six sons and six daughters. V. L., his son, who resides in the village of Carthage, where he was born, married Abby J. Allen. Mr. V. L. Farr enlisted in Co. B, 35th Regt. N. Y. Vols., in 1861, was wounded and discharged the same year. He re-enlisted in Co. E, 20th N. Y. Cav., in 1863, and was dis- charged in 1865.

JOHN I. VAN ANTWERP came from Johns- town to Wilna, and located at Natural Bridge where he lived a few years, when he removed to the farm now occupied by George Van Antwep, and here remained until his death. Peter, his eldest son, married Esther A., daughter of Calvin Cowan, and died on the farm. His widow married Joseph Hastings.

LEWIS LAMPHEAR came to the town of Wilna at an early day and settled on the farm now owned by L. G. Stanard. Jere- miah Lamphear, son of Lewis, married Fannie, daughter of Caleb Fulton, and settled on a farm in Wilna, and where he resided until his death. Of his family of eight children three are living, viz .: Nelson W. and Hiram K. in this town, and Simeon F. in Crystal Springs, Yates county.

BENJAMIN G. HALL came from Deerfield, Oneida county to Wilna about 1810, and settled on a farm on road 44. He reared a family of eight children. William, son of Luther, son of Benjamin, enlisted in Co. K, 20th N. Y. Cav., in 1863, and was mustered out in 1865.

ELISHA FULTON, son of Caleb, was born in 1823. He married Angelica Clearwater, and settled on the old homestead. He had five children : Maria L. (Mrs. Charles Devois de- ceased), Sedate H., who married Eugene Lewis ; Joseph E. andClark A. He was a farmer, and died in November, 1886.

ORLO STANARD came from Saybrook, Conn., and thence to Wilna in 1812, locating near what was known as the "Checkered House," where he built a shop and engaged in carpentering. He also built and run several saw-mills, and bought and occupicd the farms now owned by his sons George and La Fayette. He married Lurena Griffin, whose father, Enoch, was one of the first settlers of the town. La Fayette and George Stanard, their sons, live in Wilna. They had five children.

THOMAS HASTINGS came from Massachu- setts, and located in the town of Champion in 1808. In 1816 he located on the the farm on road 45, in this town. He had born to him 10 children-five sons and five daughters. Joseph, his son, married Rachel Van Ant- werp, by whom he had eight children. Joseph is now deceased.

MR. AND MRS. SUEL GILBERT, substantial and highly respected citizens of Carthage, were among the earliest settlers. He was a carpenter by trade, and by industry and

822

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

by industry and frugality accumulated a handsome property. Mr. Gilbert died from the effects of coal gas. The neighbors found him and his worthy wife in a state of asphyxia, from the effects of which he never rallied. Being childless, Mrs. Gilbert died January 2, 1831, leaving the greater portion of her property to the Presbyterian, Metho- dist and Baptist Churches of Carthage. To the first named $2,000, and the balance (from $6,000 to $9,000) to each an equal share. This was a veritable God-send to these churches, which had lost their houses of worship in the great conflagration of 1884. The memory of these Christian people is blessed to the mem- bers of their own church (the Presbyterian), as well as to all with whom they were ac- quainted.

J. T. ATWOOD was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence county, in 1832, whence he re- moved to the town of Champion in 1860, and in 1887 located in Carthage village. He mar- ried Elizabeth Starling, by whom he has one daughter, Clara L., who married George B. Haas. His second wife was Miss Demerius Nye, of Wilna.

SOME UNION SOLDIERS.

GENERAL THOMAS W. OSBORN, son of Jonathan and Amelia Osborn, was born at the village of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, in 1833. In 1842 he removed with his parents to North Wilna, Jefferson county. He re- mained upon the farm, performing the or- dinary labor of a farmer's son, until 1854. During that time he had no educational ad- vantages excepting the winter terms of the district school. In the autumn of 1854 he commenced a course of study preparatory for college. He graduated from Madison University (now Colgate University) in 1860. After graduation he entered the law-office of Starbuck & Sawyer, at Watertown, being admitted to practice law in 1861. It was not until after the battle of First Bull Run that he determined to do what he could to sustain the government. He raised a com- pany for light artillery service, afterwards known as Company D, First New York Light Artillery. Of this command he was com- missioned captain. The battery served con- tinuously with the Army of the Potomac and was engaged in more than 30 pitched battles, from the Peninsula to Gettysburg, proving itself one of the best artillery forces in the army, only equaled by the battery of Mink and Spratt, also raised in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties. After this general and entirely truthful statement it is not necessary to go into details, for Osborn's battery has a record that can be found in the history of the Army of the Potomac. The services of Captain Osborn were so meri- torious that he was rapidly promoted from one grade to another, having been chief of artillery of the second division of the second corps, under General Berry, with the rank

of major; in 1863 he was promoted to the command of the second brigade of the volun- teer artillery of the Army of the Potomac; and in June, 1863, was made chief of artillery of the second corps, under General Howard, in which capacity he went through with the battle of Chancellorsville. In 1864 he was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and was chief of artillery of the fourth corps of that army ; and while thus employed was seriously wounded. While in command of the recruiting barracks at Louisville, Ky., he organized the 106th, 107th and 108th regi- ments of colored troops. Returning to the front as soon as convalescent, on the 28th of July, 1864, he was assigned, by General Sherman, as chief of artillery of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, com- manded by General Howard. This assign- ment gave Major Osborn the largest artillery command held by any officer during the war, with the one exception of Major-General Barry, who was General Sherman's chief of artillery. November 1, 1865, upon the or- ganization of Sherman's army for the Savannah campaign, Major Osborn was re- lieved from the command of the artillery of the department, and retained that of the moving army. December 21, 1864, in ad- dition to his other duties, he was put in com- mand and had charge of all the artillery, light and heavy, captured at Savannah ; January 9, 1865, he received his previous command of the artillery only with the moving army and entered upon the Carolina campaign. This he retained until May 10, 1865, when he was relieved by the Secretary of War and assigned to other duty.

The principal campaigns in which he was engaged were the Peninsula, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Val- ley and Chattanooga, Atlanta, Savannah and the Carolinas. His first commission was that of captain, and at the close of the war he re- ceived that of brevet brigadier-general.

The Major's best work was probably per- formed at the battle of Gettysburg, while in command of the artillery brigade of the 11th corps. We pass over the first two days' fighting at Gettysburg, and state that, ex- cepting a severe fight by Slocum, before and after service, to dislodge Ewell from some earth works, there was no considerable fighting on the third day until the artillery contest, preparatory to the grand charge of Pickett's division. In the forenoon, the offi- cers of Mead's army with their field glasses could plainly see Lee's batteries going into position along the crest of Seminary Ridge. Those batteries, standing at regular inter- vals, covered a point of about two miles, and about 150 of Lee's guns were in position. This was believed to be the longest and finest line of field guns ever in position upon a battlefield, and engaged at the same time in battle. Major Osborn's five battalions occupied the crest of Cemetery Hill. The distance between the two lines of battle, from seven-eighths of a mile to a mile and a

CHAS. W. FRASIER. LIEUT. ASAHEL B. WESTCOTT.

GEN. THOS. W. OSBORN, Chief of Artillery.

EDGAR B. STEELE. LIEUT. BESTER S. SAFFORD.

SOME UNION SOLDIERS.

823

WILNA

half, was just enough for effective artillery work. At precisely one o'clock Lee's signal gun was fired, the shot directed upon Ceme- tery Hill. In less than a minute after, the 150 guns opened, more than half of which were turned upon Cemetery Hill.

After this firing had been in progress about an hour, General Hunt came upon the hill, and while consulting with Generals Howard and Schurz and Major Osborn of the progress of the battle, the artillery fire and Lee's probable intentions, the Major suggested that the firing of Meade's should entirely cease and permit Lee to develop his plans. The three generals approved the plan and Hunt at once acted upon the sugges- tion.

The firing along the entire line had no sooner ceased than Lee advanced Pickett's division, supported by two other divisions, to the grand charge upon Hancock's line. The result of that charge is well known. As soon as Pickett's column was in half-range, every one of Meade's guns opened with grape and canister, with deadly and sicken- ing effect. Pickett's column melted away like the mists of morning before the rising sun.

At the close of the war, Major Osborn was assigned, by the Secretary of War, to other important duty, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands for the State of Florida. In that capacity he served two years, and then resigned his commission in the army and became a citizen of Florida, with his residence at Tallahassee. Soon after his resignation he received from Chief Justice Chase the appointment of Register in Bankruptcy for Florida.

During the enforcement of the Recon- struction Laws, he took an active part in the politics of the State; was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, and drafted the Constitution of the State. By the Legis- lature elected under the new Constitution, he was elected in May, 1868, to the United States Senate, as a Republican, for the term ending 1873. He entered the Senate at the age of 35.

In 1876 he served as United States com- missioner at the Centennial Exposition, at Philadelphia. Otherwise than that he has held no public office since he retired from the Senate. In later years he has been en- gaged in business in Florida and New York, and in literary pursuits.

CHARLES W. FRASIER

WAS born in 1845 in the province of Ontario, Canada. He came to the United States when seven years of age. He enlisted in Cham- pion in 1864, in Co. H, 186th N. Y. Vol. In- fantry, and served with his regiment until 1865, when they were mustered out. He was wounded at Petersburg in the terrible charge upon Fort Mahone. He was a brave and faithful soldier, always ready and willing to do his duty, and, since the war, has been untiring in his efforts to advance the interests

of the G. A. R. Mr. Frasier comes of fighting stock, and is proud of the fact that some of his ancestors took part in every war in which this country has been engaged. Post Steele, of Carthage, N. Y., has no more active and zealous member than Mr. Frasier, and he is as patriotic and loyal to-day as he was in 1864. He is a well-known and re- spected resident of West Carthage. He is best known, perhaps, in connection with the Carthage newspapers, having been engaged with both the Republican and Tribune.

EDGAR B. STEELE,

FOR whom the G. A. R. Post at Carthage is named, was born at Evans Mills, November 14, 1842. His parents were Elisha and Eunice (Barret) Steele, who were old resi- dents of LeRay. Edgar B. had the benefit of the common schools. At a very early age he enlisted in Co. I, of the 35th Regt., and served with that organization until wounded at Fredericksburgh, which necessitated the amputation of his left foot. He was dis- charged for the disability thus incurred, and returned to his home at Carthage, where he learned the trade of shoemaking. He was a courageous soldier, who proved his valor by his wounds. In 1864 he married Miss Jennie Carr, and they raised two children, Frederick C. and Miss Mabel D. Mr. Steele died March 6, 1878.

ASAHEL B. WESTCOTT

WAS born at Pillar Point, N. Y., May 6, 1839. His father, Asahel Westcott, was drowned off Oswego, N. Y., May 3, 1839, and his mother, Cynthia Westcott, is still alive, and lives at Dexter, N. Y. Asahel B. worked on the farm of his grandfather until he was 16 years of age, and then went to Falley Seminary at Fulton, N. Y., where he graduated two years later.

When the Civil War broke out he was teaching school at Pillar Point. He responded to the first call for volunteers, and enlisted April 22, 1861, at Sackets Harbor. He was mustered into the service of the United States June 11, 1861, at Elmira, N. Y., in Co. K, 35th N. Y. Vols., as private, and par- ticipated in all the battles the 35th was en- gaged in-among them being the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie- tam and Fredericksburg. He was commis- sioned second lieutenant February 17, 1863, and mustered out of service with the regi- ment June 5, 1863, at Elmira. He married Martha E. Westcott, of Sackets Harbor, December 31, 1864. In February, 1872, he moved to Carthage, and engaged in carpen- tering and building. He was trustee of the village for two years, and justice of the peace two years. He was a charter member of E. B. Steele Post, G. A. R., and was com- mander for one term, and also a prominent Knight of Labor. March 3, 1890, he was ap - pointed postmaster at Carthage, and held that office until his death, which occurred

824

THIE GROWTII OF A CENTURY.

April 20, 1893. His children are : George H., Mabel and Edwin. His widow survives him.

BESTER S. SAFFORD,

WHOSE face is shown upon the composite soldier's plate for Wilna, was born in Harris- burg, Lewis county, June 1, 1834. He was the son of Bester B. and Amy (Stockwell) Safford, of Lewis county, and came of a patriotic ancestry, his father and grandfather having served in the War of 1812, and his great grandfather and his three brothers in the Revolutionary War. Bester S. was reared a farmer. He was deputy sheriff in Lewis county for three years, and in 1865 married Anna S. Peebles, daughter of Charles E. and Lydia Peebles, and they had five children born too them. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, 3d N. Y. Cav. Soon after the arrival of his regiment in North Carolina, Safford was pro- moted to corporal, and later to lieutenant, and he greatly distinguished himself on the scout and in battle, and received the commenda- tion of his commanding officers for his good conduct.

When his term of enlistment had expired, in the autumn of 1864, he came home to Lewis county, re-enlisted in January, 1865, in Co. H, 26th N. Y. Cav., and was soon pro- moted to first lieutenant of that company, and served as such faithfully and to the entire satisfaction of his commanding officers, and was mustered out with the command in July, 1865.

While serving in the army he was attacked with congestion of the lungs, which was the cause of his death in August, 1894, in his 60th year. After coming to Carthage he was tax collector for two terms, and overseer of the poor for two years in the town of Wilna. He was a member of Orient Lodge, F. & A. M., of Copenhagen.

Lieutenant Safford was a kind and gener- ous man, but of strong and positive character. He was loyal to his family and friends, and was a brave and gallant Union soldier.

CARTHAGE VILLAGE BOARD.

GEORGE SPICER, president of the village of Carthage for 1894, is of English descent, and was born in Perch River, Jefferson county, August 27, 1861. He is the son of Henry and Delia (Allen) Spicer. Henry Spicer was supervisor of the town for several terms and Member of Assembly in 1876, be- sides holding minor offices. George Spicer came to Carthage in 1882 and was in the em- ploy of Ryther & Pringle for three years. In 1888 he bought the property once owned by the late Hiram McCollom, and built a pulp-mill, and later a veneering-mill, which are now (1894) running. The piano trim mings are shipped to New York, where a market is found. In 1891 he also erected a fine residence on State street. He was mar- ried in 1888 to Miss Minnie, daughter of Dr.

Isaac Normander, of West Carthage, and they have one daughter. Mr. Spicer is prominent in the order of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and Foresters. He is an enterprising, respected citizen and has the confidence of the village which he officially represents.

GEORGE W. PARMENTER,

WHOSE portrait appears also in the composite soldier's plate in the town of Champion, has been a resident of Carthage over 20 years. In 1862 he married Miss Hattie A. Dunham, a most estimable lady. Mr. Parmenter is the son of Snell Parmenter, a native of Vermont, who settled in St. Lawrence county in 1808. George is one of five children and an archi- tect and builder. At the present time he has a contract for the fine new Baptist church in Gouverneur, his native place, which promises to be a beautiful structure. Mr. Parmenter is an enterprising, patriotic citizen. At the breaking out of the late Civil War he enlisted in the Fifth New York Artillery, serving three years. He has been twice elected trustee of the village of Car- thage and is now serving his second term,

CHARLES A. HORR

WAS born in Carthage, October 19, 1850. He received the benefits of the Carthage schools until 17 years of age, when he took a business course at Syracuse, N. Y. In the fall of 1869 he went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he remained two years. Re- turning to Carthage in 1871 he married Miss Jennie VanPelt, when he again went west and was engaged in the grocery business until September, 1876. He again returned to Carthage and conducted a grocery busi- ness nntil 1893. He has been twice elected town clerk, has served two terms as trustee of the village, and was foreman of the Steam Fire Engine Company for two years. He has also been treasurer of Carthage Masonic Lodge, No. 158, for two years, and has be- longed to the official board of the M. E. Church, at Carthage, since 1877. He is at present travelling salesman for the house of Griffin & Hoxie, Utica, N. Y.

LEONARD G. PECK.

ALLEN PECK, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., July 20, 1795. His father moved to Den- mark, Lewis county, when Allen was but a lad. The family was large, and in those days every one physically able was expected to be at work. Here Allen was bound ap- prentice to Judge Root, to serve at the shoe- maker's and tanner and currier's trade until he should be 21. After serving out his ap- prenticeship, he came to Carthage. At that time there was no road between Denmark and Carthage-nothing but a bridle path. He built a tannery in company with Walter Nimocks.

He was twice married, first to Ann Gil-

H.J. URMSBEE. ENG. 00. SYK KY.

GEO. W. PARMENTER.

LEONARD G. PECK.

GEORGE E. SPICER, President.

CHARLES A. HORR. WALLACE W. SWEET.

OFFICIAL BOARD OF THE VILLAGE OF CARTAGE, N. Y.

825

WILNA.

bert, of Fort Ann, N. Y., by whom he had two children, William A. and Harriet. The last named died when two years of age. His second wife was Cynthia Dean. There were two children by this marriage-a daughter, also named Harriet, who died at the age of 29, and a son, Leonard G.

Allen Peck was one of the pioneers of Car- thage. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. His judgment was clear and sound, his heart was sympathetic and tender-his life was stainless. He entered into his rest, April 14, 1853, in his 58th year.

Leonard G., the only surviving member of the family of Allen Peck, was born Septem- ber 3, 1832. He obtained his education at the Carthage Academy, and at the age of 17 entered apprenticeship to Clark Dodge, for three years, where he acquired the trade of wagon-making. Soon after his father's death, he entered into the employ of his brother, William A. Peck, as a clerk, in which position he continued until about a year from the time of the death of that most estimable and beloved citizen, in November, 1863.

In January, 1867, he embarked in the car- riage business in Carthage, on the corner of State and Mechanic streets, which he con- ducted somewhat extensively for about 10 years, since which time he has discontinued regular business.

He married Helen Frances Bellinger, of Carthage, July 7, 1858. There were born to them three daughters, who are all living to cheer his now lonely fireside. His beloved wife died January 29, 1893.

Mr. Peck has been a member of the Board os Education continuously for 27 years, and has ever, through a love for youth and liter- ary acquirements, been deeply interested in, and closely identified with, all pertaining to

educational matters, in connection with the Carthage Union Free School. It may be truly said that the present position of the school, in the front rank among public schools of the county, is due in a great measure to the devotion and untiring zeal of this worthy citizen. [He is a man of de- cided literary tastes, as is shown in what he has written for this History. See the general history of Carthage. Mr. Peck has been a life-long resident of Carthage. J. A. H.

WILLIAM WALLACE SWEET,

A TRUSTEE of the village of Carthage, was born June 9, 1856, in the town of Wilna, the son of Edwin and Pamelia (Kelsey) Sweet. She was the daughter of Enos Kelsey, of Le- Ray.

William Wallace, the subject of our sketch, was one of four children. He re- ceived his primary education in the common schools, completing it at the Oswego State Normal School. He came to Carthage in 1882, and was employed as salesman in the stores of Walter Horr and of C. E. Francis, remaining some 10 years.

He married Miss Nettie A. Francis, a daughter of Gilbert Francis, of Felts Mills, and they have six children : Ethel C., Ger- trude M., Ernest E., Erma P., these last two are twins ; Lora and Leah, who also are twins. Mr. Sweet is one of the assessors of the town of Wilna, and one of the trustees of the village of Carthage, secretary of the Car- thage Loan and Building Association, and assistant chief of the Fire Department. His present position is salesman for Mr. C. E. Van Slyke. Mr. Sweet is an honorable and respected citizen, enjoying the confidence of his fellow-citizens, as is amply evidenced by the honorable positions to which he has been called.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 171

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