Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 21

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

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DR. AMOS RUSSEL THOMAS.

WHOSE likeness and biographical sketch will be found on page 13 of this History, since the publication of that number has been remembered in an unusual manner by the Alumni of Hahnemann College, of which celebrated institution he has been the honored Dean for 40 years-a thing unpre- cedented in this country, perhaps in the world. Dr. W. W. Van Baun, Secretary of the Alumni Association of Hahnemann, in lately sending out his annual invitations for the usual yearly gathering, proposed that $5,000 should be raised as a fund for the per- petual maintainance of a free bed in Hahne- mann Hospital, to be named the Amos Rus-

sell Thomas Free Bed, and the cash was quickly raised.

The address on the occasion of the formal presentation of the fund for the permanent bed, were made at the close of the Alumni meeting at the Academy of Music, in Phila- delphia, May 8, 1894, when Dr. Thomas made a feeling and eloquent acknowledge- ment of the great honor done him.

The eminent success of this Watertown boy will remain through coming years as an incentive to any other humble youth who is · willing to be studious and deserving in order to reach prominence, which comes to no man unearned.

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

LIEUT. GOV. ALLEN C. BEACH.

IN men who are now prominent, but who sprang from moderate surroundings, so far as wealth and influence are concerned, Jefferson county appears to be quite prolific. There is scarcely a public man, now or in the past, who has held an important office in the county of Jefferson, who has not sprung from the com- mon walks of life-even as Lincoln and Jack- son and Silas Wright sprang, strengthened by early lessons of thrift and self-denial - emerging at last from obscurity and unfavor- able environment, into broad and often event- ful lives.

Governor Beach must be classed with such, for his origin was remote, his early life full of hardships, his final status among men prominent and irreproachable. He was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, October 9, 1828, of parents who were able to give him only a common-school education. At the age

of 13 he left home, and ever after that took upon himself the entire burthen of his own support and education. He longed for an education, and, where many others fail, he was willing to pay the price of such a desir- able possession by untiring industry, patient study, and indomitable resolution. He must have been a strong, rugged boy-for in his 13th year he would rise in the cold winter mornings at 4 o'clock, fodder 600 sheep, care for 3 horses, and other farm animals, besides milking 4 cows, eat his breakfast, and trudge off two miles to school, which began promptly at 9 o'clock. When 15 years of age he began attending Jordan (Onondaga county) Academy. This continued for two years, when he went to the Mexico (Oswego county) Academy steadily, except in winter, when he taught school 3 months to earn money enough to pay his expenses at the Academy. During the

BIOGRAPHIES.

time he was at the Mexico Academy he kept up with his classes all the while he was teaching, and was prepared to enter Union College with the rest of his classmates. In 1848 he was examined at Union in the Fresh- man, Sophmore and Junior classes, passing them all readily, and entering as a Senior. After one year's study he graduated with honor in 1849, at the age of 21.

Thus far he had earned by his own efforts the money needed for his support during these educating years. After graduation he was again constrained to begin to labor for his own support. He came to Watertown in 1849 and accepted a professorship in the Black River Literary and Religious Institute. He remained there nearly a year, and then entered the office of Joshua Moore, Jr., as a student at law. During the first year of his law study he taught a private school in the Hayes block in a room in the rear of Mr. Moore's office, pur- suing his law studies at night and early in the morning. This continued for two years, when he was admitted to the bar.

In the fall of 1852 the trustees of the La- fargeville Academy persuaded Mr. Beach to take charge of their school. When he began there the previous term had closed with less than a dozen scholars, and at the end of his first term he had over 100 pupils.

In the fall. of 1852 he began to practice law, and in 1853 he formed a law partnership with Levi H. Brown. This partnership continued 15 years, until 1869. This firm conducted as large, if not the largest and most successful law business in the county.

In the spring of 1852 Mr. Beach married Miss Abbie A. Woodruff, the fourth daughter of Norris M. Woodruff. This estimable lady died in September, 1856.

In the fall of 1860 Mr. Beach was a dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention at Charleson, S. C., and to the adjourned con- vention held later at Baltimore, Md. He was chairman of the Democratic county commit- tee from 1860 to 1870, and perfected a plan of party organization which resulted in a Demo- cratic gain in Jefferson county of over 1,700 in a single year. This plan was so successful as to have attracted the attention of Mr. Til- den, chairman State committee, who sent for Mr. Beach, and together they perfected and applied the plan to the whole State with gratifying results. In the fall of 1868 Mr. Beach was elected lieutenant governor on the ticket with Governor John T. Hoffman, though in the nominating convention Mr. Beach had been opposed by Tammany. He received a larger vote than Governor Hoff- man. After serving two years he was unani- mously re nominated and elected to the office of lieutenant governor, running ahead of the ticket as before.

At the end of his term of service, Governor Beach returned to Watertown and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1877 he was nominated and elected Secretary of State, which office he held from 1878 to 1880, when he was again re-nominated, but defeated at the polls by less than 1,400 votes, owing to a

division in the Democratic party. In 1868 and 1872, and again in 1876 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Mr. Beach married in the spring of 1862, Miss Olivia Pickering, daugliter of Capt. Augustus Pickering, of Sackets Harbor. She died in 1892, leaving one daughter.

About 1880 Mr. Beach retired from the active practice of his profession, devoting such time as was necessary to the management of his own private business, and to the over- sight of the Henry Keep Home, founded by Mrs. Keep-Schley, in memory of her deceased husband. He has managed the income secured to the Keep Home in a most satisfac- tory manner, the Home being free from debt, with quite a snug sum saved from the incomes, and safely invested. He is treasurer and vice-president of that noble institution ; a director and member of the executive com- mittee of the Watertown Spring Wagon Co .; a director in the Watertown Savings Bank, and executor of several estates.

He was chairman of the State executive committee from 1868 to 1872, taking charge of the campaign work, with headquarters in New York. In 1873 was acting chairman of the State Democratic conimittee, by reason of Mr. Tilden's absence in Europe. In 1874 he was elected and served as chairman of that committee during the campaign which re- sulted in the election of Gov. Tilden by over 50,000 majority. In 1872 he presided over the Court of Impeachment, sitting for the trial of Judge Barnard. None of Gov. Beach's decisions in that celebrated trial were ever overruled. At the close of that, trial the members of the Senate unani- mously passed the following resolutions :

Resolved, that it is the sentiment of the Senate that the ability, dignity and impartial- ity which have distinguished Lieut. Gov. Allen C. Beach in the discharge of his responsible duties as presiding officer of the Senate, not only during its legislative session, but also in the protracted trials which have taken place before it, and in the trial by the Court of Impeachment, justly entitle him to the confidence and approbation of the people.

Resolved, that he is entitled to the grateful remembrance of the members of this body, for the courtesy and kindness which have uui- formly characterized his official acts, and his social intercourse with them all.

Resolved, that these resolutions, after being appropriately engrossed and signed by the president pro tem. and clerk, be presented to him as an expression of our high appreciation of his ability and honesty, as a presiding offi- cer, and as a tribute to his social worth.

These resolutions were laboriously and elegantly engrossed and framed at a cost of $1,500, and the Governor treasures them among the precious heirlooms of his home.

The Governor has held many local offices in Watertown, among the rest superintendent of schools, in 1852-53, and member of the Board of Education for several years, ending in 1869.

J. A. H.

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

JAMES R. SWEENEY.

THE historian finds nothing so agreeable as to speak of men of humble origin and unpro- tected in their youth who have managed by natural capacity to overcome their untoward environment, and have risen to positions of more or less prominence, and dying, have left names sweet to be remembered. A mile and a half south of the village of Geneva in Ontario county, N. Y., there once stood upon the shore of the lake a couple of primitive glass manufactories, which have now wholly dis- appeared, though the place around them once had a population of 500 souls. It was to this locality that the parents of James R. Sweeney removed from Baltimore, Md., when the in- fant James was barely two months old. His father died before he was six years of age, leaving the widow with a large family of little

children to care for, with nothing to aid her save her own two loving motherly hands and her natural wit. She was a noble woman, with a strong physical organization, and by unaided exertion was able to keep her young family together, vibrating between her resi- dence and Geneva, then only an unpretentious hamlet. Here young Sweeney remained until 16 years of age, obtaining such education as the opportunities of those early days afforded to poor men's sons. His elder brother had, however, reached his majority, and had be- come of considerable assistance in supporting the family. In 1832 this elder brother re- moved the widow and her younger brood from the neighborhood of Geneva to Philadelphia, Pa., and soon after to Jackson, N. J., where they remained several years. This elder

BIOGRAPHIES.

brother having lost his health, they were re- duced to the very depths of poverty, and so the family returned to Philadelphia But in that city their hardships found only slight amelioration. At 19 years of age James was turned out into the world alone and friendless. Removing to Winslow, N. J., he obtained employment as a teacher, and remained nearly two years. Here he saved a small sum of money and removed to Baltimore, his native city, where he remained about a year engaged in teaching and at the same time attending a higher grade of school as opportunity would permit. In the spring of 1837 he returned to Philadelphia, where he was employed asassist- ant in a school at a low salary, but in the bargain he was to be given opportunities for study and improvement. His next operation was a grocery store among the common people and in a poor neighborhood. But his venture was a success financially, though his capital was necessarily small. Previous, however, to starting into this grocery business he had opened a private school, which was well patronized.

The health of his elder brother having been established, he, in company with James and another practical glass-blower, was induced, after being promised financial aid by a gentle- man who was to contribute as partner a definite amount of capital for conducting the business, to enter into the manufacture of window glass at Redwood, in Jefferson county. To this place the whole family, mother, sons and daughters (in all a dozen souls), removed in 1840, James having preceded the others two or three months so as to make needed arrange- ments for housekeeping. Here, among stran- gers, with capital entirely inadequate to conduct an extended business, Mr. Sweeney began to manufacture glass. The party who had pro- inised capital utterly failed to carry out his agreement, and the business was abandoned after nearly two years' hopeless struggle with adversity. Then the whole family were once more left without a dollar, their means of sub- sistence taken away, and their condition de- plorable in the extreme. It resulted in a separation of the family, and they were never again united. The business failure was fol- lowed by many annoyances, some law suits, and much condemnation. Mr. Sweeney left Redwood with his scanty wardrobe tied in a handkerchief, his good mother having just then accepted a situation as housekeeper, and her two young girls accompanied her to her new home. Not having money enough to pay his fare in the stage ($1.25), young Sweeney walked to Watertown, reaching there foot-sore and weary. In that whole town he knew but three persons, and to neither of these would he apply for aid. Rising early in the morning he sallied out looking for something to do. Meeting the kind-hearted P. S. Stewart, of Carthage (with whom he had had business rela- tions), he was offered $10 in cash as a loan, and a three-months' guaranty for his board. Thus equipped he felt like a new man, and re- solved to attend the Black River Literary and Religious Institute to improve his education,

boarding with Mr. A. Whitford, one of the pro- fessors in that school, through whom he after- wards obtained a situation in the clerk's office under Mr. C. B. Hoard, then county clerk. Mr. Sweeney found in Mr. Hoard an unchanging friend, one who did all in his power to advance the interests of his young protege, and though Sweeney was a Whig he was kept at work in the clerk's office in spite of the repeated efforts made to oust him. His industry and ability made him too valuable a man to be spared. Du- ring his three years' continuance in the clerk's office, Sweeney paid off his Redwood debts, and walked out of that office a free man on the expiration of Mr. Hoard's term of service.

During his visits at Mr. Whitford's on Me- chanic street, Mr Sweeney formed the acquaint- ance of Miss Mary Stimson, of Antwerp, who had come to Watertown to live with an aunt, Mrs. Job Sawyer. This timely acquaintance ripened into love and marriage three years afterwards, a union that has been exception- ally happy, for this young lady possessed qualities which have made her beloved by all who have had the pleasure of her acquaint- ance. She was her husband's companion and wise assistant while they resided at Water- town, Clayton, and twice at Washington, in New York, and in the city of Philadelphia.

After leaving the county clerk's office Mr. Sweeney was book-keeper in a machine-shop, where his neatness and industry were well appreciated. He also held a clerkship with Merrick & Fowler, at Clayton, and received the unqualified approval of his employers.

He was in Washington from 1849

to 1857, as clerk in the pension bureau. In 1858 he became part- ner with Mr. Hoard in the agricultural works, near the engine factory in North Watertown for a number of years, and brought that business to a successful con- clusion at the time Mr. Hoard removed from Watertown. Following the winding up of the agricultural works, he was in Philadel- phia from 1873 to 1876, as treasurer of the Woodruff Sleeping-car Company, instituting many reforms in the management of that con- cern, which is now prosperous. From Phila- delphia he removed to New York city, accept- ing a position in the New York custom house, where he held a responsible place, being promoted for his ability from one grade to another. Here he remained a number of years but finally received a permanent injury to his eyes from being obliged to write by gas- light, while his division in the building was being repaired. His rapidly-failing eye- sight induced him to return permanently to Watertown in 1882, and after years of patient suffering from poor eye-sight and the usual deterioration of the system, he died in the Woodruff House, where he had boarded for many years, on May 17, 1889, in the 75th year of his age.

Mr. Sweeney always proved equal to any position or emergency in which he was placed. He was not a collegiate, but came from a poor family, with only the very slightest advantages in his youth. Yet he was a ready writer, a

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

frequent contributor to newspapers, a man of logical mind and unusually clear perceptions. His fidelity to his friends was a prominent trait, and any one who ever did him a favor found him eager to make more than a fair re- turn for it. In all the positions he held- some of them confidential and important-and often in positions where money had to be handled, there never was a complaint of any dereliction of duty or any betrayal of trust. His address was finished, his manner gentle,

his speech and bearing invited confidence. He was a man with great reserve force, and he was equal to any task he was called upon to perform.

Such characters are hard to duplicate. While only his intimate friends knew his full capacity, he impressed the observer as an earnest, energetic, honorable man, who shrank from no responsibility and swerved neither to the right or left-but went straight on in the path of his duty. J. A. H.

HON. BYRON B. TAGGART.

THE subject of this brief biographical sketch was born in the town of LeRay, Jefferson county, N. Y., on the 28th of April, 1831. The Taggart family, from whom he descended, ranks among the old settlers of this section of the State. His father, Henry Taggart, was born in LeRay, and his mother, Julia Deighton, in Pamelia. They lived and died in their native county, and the old home- stead is still owned by their descendents, His great-grandfather, Joseph Taggart, resided in Newport, R. I., where he carried on a ship- ping trade, frequently crossing to Europe in sailing vessels in the line of his business. He emigrated to the United States from the Isle of Man.

Mr. Taggart's immediate family consisted of six brothers and two sisters, viz : Dempster, who died in childhood, Joseph B., William W., Watson Henry, Dempster D. (named after his deceased brother), and the sisters, Mary and Orea. Of the brothers, Watson H. died in Terra Haute, Ind., in 1853, and Dempster D. in Watertown, in October, 1889. The sister Mary died in 1871. With the single exception of the eldest child the whole family grew up to manhood and womanhood, and married. Theirs was a family possessing unusual force of character, and if their indi- vidual history could be fully written out, it would furnish a valuable picture of the trials, successes and perseverance of a large family of children born in humble life, and who largely had to make their own way in the world.

The products of a farm in this region fifty years ago were barely sufficient to provide for the necessities of a large family of children, and to do this even called for a self-sacrificing toil on the part of parents and elder children, at once noble and beautiful. That the mem- bers of this family came of good and thrifty stock is abundantly proved by the useful and successful career of each. In the battle of life they have all won honorable positions in the circle in which their lot was cast.

Byron B. worked on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age-working sum- mers and latterly teaching school during the winter term. The experience gained while " boarding round," and in the management of country schools, gave him an excellent insight into character, which greatly aided

him in later years. He attended the State Normal School at Albany for one year, and afterwards went West, where he spent three years. In the spring of 1856 he returned to his native county, and, on the 28th day of May of that year, he married Miss Frances L. Brown, of Watertown, daughter of Jabez and Lefa Brown. This choice of a wife proved a very happy one, and two daughters and two sons blessed the union. Mrs. Taggart has been a loving wife and devoted mother, and still lives to grace and bless a home her presence and help have donc so much to brighten and secure.

The patriotic fervor of the period of the great Rebellion in 1861 found full recognition in the heart of Mr. Taggart. In 1862, after the conflict had deepened into a gigantic civil war, he raised a company of volunteers for the 10th N. Y: Artillery, and was commissioned a captain in November, 1862. He had com- mand of Fort Ricketts, comprising a part of the important defences of Washington, where he remained up to November 23, 1863, when family responsibilities and ill-health led him to resign his commission. He was a capable and efficient officer, and merited and received the full confidence of his men and of his superior officers. The service he rendered in the army made a heavy drain upon his health, and ever since he has at times been a great sufferer from disabilities contracted while in the line of duty. On, the 14th of May, 1878, Gov. Robinson appointed him a trustee for the " completion, management, and control of the Soldiers' Home " at Bath, N. Y., and he was re-appointed to this trust by Gov. Cornell on the 4th of May, 1881. In 1879 he was elected mayor of Watertown, and re-elected in the following year. His administration of the affairs of the city was marked by a careful discharge of the delicate and somewhat oner- ous duties pertaining to the trying position. He brought a business man's experience to the service of the city, and left the position with an excellent record.

He was one of the originators and is presi- dent of the Taggart Bros. Company, of Watertown, and the Taggart Paper Com- pany, of Felts Mills. He is vice-president and one of the promoters of the Watertown Thermometer Works, a company providing employment to between 40 and 50 workers.

B. B. Jaggart.

BIOGRAPHIES.

He was also one of the organizers of the Watertown National Bank, and is a director in this institution. He is a stockholder in the Watertown Spring Wagon Company and in the Watertown Carriage and Gear Company. He is president of the Central Park Associa- tion which occupies one of the finest sites on the St. Lawrence river, and is vice-president of the Alexandria Steamboat Company. He is also interested in the Hotel Eastman, at Hot Springs, Ark., built to accommodate 850 guests.

This record of industrial interests which his enterprise and means have helped to develop, amply prove that he is a citizen who fully meets the best requirements for furnish- ing employment to the people, and adding to that circulation that creates wealth in his own home section of the State. As a business man Mr. Taggart is well and widely known, and is respected for his sterling integrity,

thrift, enterprise and public spirit. His career has been a successful one,-both in the days of war and in times of peace,-and he is yet in the prime of life.

As a type of a farmer's son, winning his own way to a position of influence and use- fulness among the business men of his day, and acquiring a competency through his own efforts, besides commanding the confidence of both political parties,-as his official trusts continued through two administrations abundantly prove,-he is one of our self- made men, worthy as few are, and whose achievements are a valuable part of the his- tory of our country. His life is proof of how grandly the American volunteer-transformed into an American business man - adapts himself to every duty, and so stands forth as one of the best products of our cosmopolitan civilization. A. D. S.

REMINISCENSES OF CHANCELLORSVILLE.

FOLLOWING our personal histories of the vari- ous organizations which went into the great Union Army from Jefferson county during the Civil War, it may be proper also to introduce some personal experiences connected with at least one of the leading battles, as well as some minor details, which may in the future shed some light upon the events of that trying time when the Southern States attempted to secede, and fought until completely exhausted in order to give permanent shape to one of the greatest political heresies the world has ever witnessed.

Major General Joseph Hooker, who com-

manded the Union forces in what is known as Chancellorsville campaign, was almost &

resident of Watertown, for he came there often to visit his sisters, Mrs. Brain- erd and Mrs. Wood, and the Watertown people were always glad to see him, for he was in all respects & most genial gentleman, wel- come in any circle. have thought that a sketch of that part of his operations in the Chancellorsville battle, which came under my own personal observation, and in a small part of which I had the honor to share, would be interesting 20 years from now, when half a century shall have elapsed since that battle was fought, and when all who were there present will probably have passed away. Ex- cepting the defeat of the Union forces at the first Bull Run, perhaps no more disappointing affair occurred during the whole rebellion than the repulse of the army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville. General Hooker, by com- mand of President Lincoln, had succeeded Burnside, and was fortunate in having made a favorable impression upon that courageous army which had lamn in winter quarters around Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg. Under Hooker's supervision the almost impassable Virginia roads near our cantonments had been vastly improved, better discipline and greater confidence prevailed among the men, and, what went to the very hearts of the rank and file. freshly baked bread and several vegetables were a part of the daily ration. When the time came for Hooker to cross the Rappahan- nock he was in command of a superb body of confident troops, with every warlike conveni- ence at his call. It is true that there were not lacking among his subordinates some who were prompted by a selfish ambition to freely criticise their new commander, as they would have criticised any officer who might have been placed over them, and as Hooker in his turn had criticised others-for those were the

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 21

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