Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 49

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 49

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Loveland Paddock, once a dry goods mer- chant, but later the president and owner of the Black River Bank, was a man of strong individuality and much business ability. But he was lacking in culture, except in all the more obvious means of making money. He erected several buildings, but nothing that he did in that direction failed to respond to the one idea of money-getting. In his bank he was very liberal with his customers, and the author has heard some of them speak feelingly of the assistance he gave them at trying periods in their business career. He cheer- fully loaned Mr. Ingalls the money with which to start the Reformer, a newspaper that is to this day popular and useful. But Mr. Paddock always seemed quite indifferent to public opinion, never favoring literature or religion or public improvements unless by some means they were to be a benefit to him- self. He was a merchant and to a great ex- tent dependent upon public favor, yet he - never evinced the least regard for any other person's opinion, apparently possessing no idea that did not directly have a connection with his mania for his accumulation. He had no influence as a man outside of his possession · of money.

It is to be regretted that such appears to have often been the case with some of the rich men of Watertown at an early day, and until about the close of the rebellion. The remains of such a narrow view of life are yet apparent, but are not a forceful sentiment. The wealth accumulated by its sordid pursuit, in all the communities observed by the writer, becomes either dissipated in the second or third genera- tion, or if retained by some descendants, is held by them without any apparent apprecia- tion of the duty imposed upon those who pos- sess wealth-which is to use it as a means of benefitting mankind, not as something to be clutched and actually " embraced." But pos- terity has its revenge. The men who became rich and made a generous and judicious use of their means, are remembered with pride and affection, and no laurel is too precious to lay upon their tombs ; but the " unwisely rich" are remembered in the light in which they lived, their names recalled, but their beneficences unknown. It is left to the im- agination of our older readers to give to these ideas individual names; and such will not fail to reflect upon the extent to which Watertown was retarded in its earlier growth by the unwillingness of its largest bankers and men of wealth to enter into any plan of manu- facturing or any means by which the town would be increased in population. But there sprung up at last a better sentiment, the growth of young men's persistency, and capital has for the past 25 years found its most productive investment in the large establishments which line the noble river that for many years wasted its inviting waters for want of appreciation. Nor will the author

record names that have been prominent in later and grander movements to build up Watertown-such names can be read upon the buildings their ingenuity and skill have erected, and the number of their employés tells the measure of their sagacity as well as their meed of praise for having kept step to the demands of progress and the needs of natural growth.

The power of money and its inherent weak- ness without the help of labor are well illus- trated in Watertown. While its capital was largely invested in " swapping notes," that is in discounting $50 and $100 promises to pay for needy farmers and mechanics, it remained a "village," provincial, narrow, unknown. But since its money has been largely diverted to manufacturing the town has risen to a merited importance. Those who have aided in this work are well known, those who have stood aloof are also known. Some of these latter may have grand monuments in ceme- teries, but their memories in the hearts of the people are difficult to discover.

John Winslow was a gentleman to whom the author was indebted for many kindnesses when a young lad, for I passed his ample home and orchard often on my way to my father's place at the Sulphur Springs. One wintry Sunday, myself and brother William had been home on our regular weekly visit, for we were learning our trade at Watertown, and when we started to return Sunday after- noon, a snow storm was begun, which stead- ily increased in violence every hour. When we had reached Field's Settlement the snow was twelve inches deep, and it was bitter cold. There I was determined to stop and lie · down, for I was very drowsy, but my older brother knew that my drowsiness was the sleep which accompanies exposure to intense cold. He cuffed and pulled me until I was ready to go on, but when we reached Mr. Winslow's house we were both barely able to get to the door. Many years after, and even now, I remember our reception there-how the masses of snow were brushed away from our frozen clothing, and our hair and throats relieved of the ice that had formed from the warmth of our bodies; how welcome nut- cakes and fragrant apples appeased our hun- ger, and the grateful fire soon made us reso- lute boys again. After a while the storm abated and we went on, warm, filled and happy.

Mr. Winslow was born in 1802, the son of a farmer, Samuel Winslow, who came to the Black River country in 1807, and settled upon a forest-covered farm, nearly three miles from Watertown village, though there was then no public road from the farm to that village. They were quite isolated, and John has been heard to say that a wolf's howling was not an unusual sound to hear at night. Here Mr. Winslow spent his youth and manhood, re- ceiving the education of the country school of that era. He was called often to positions of trust and honor, four years as supervisor of Watertown, and serving one term in the Legislature. He was for many years Vice-

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President and a director in the Agricultural Insurance Company. A man of great amia- bility, of commanding presence, he readily won respect and confidence, for he was hos- pitable, benevolent, kind. Hc died in 1874, and is buried in Brookside. Gen. Bradley Winslow is his son, inheriting his martial spirit, for his father held several commissions in the State militia.

An interesting personality in Watertown is Mr. Harris Yale, son-in-law to Fred Farwell, one of Watertown's own sons, residing in the home his father built in 1828, the best pos- sible comment upon the excellence of the buildings of that era. Mr. Yale was born in Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vt., in 1811, and came to Watertown in 1849 to engage in business with D. D. Otis, his brother-in-law, the oldest hardware merchant then in busi- ness. This partnership continued thirteen years. In 1838 Mr Yale married Mary Otis, of Galway, N. Y. They are both living with Mr. Farwell, and bear their years remarkably well. There are but few older people in the city.

The funeral of J. J. Primeau, on June 23, 1894, recalls the terrible accident which served to turn Mr. Primeau's hair from a jet black to an iron gray, and which will never be for- gotten by those who lived in Watertown at the time of the disaster. In June, 1850, Mr. Primeau purchased a flat bottom dorey, and put it in Black river, just above Beebee's Island. On August 1, 1850, Mr. Primeau's wife, his child, aged 5, his wife's mother, Mrs. Beausoliel, Mrs. Joseph Primeau and Miss Lois Bibaud, all highly respected French people, entered the boat and started to cross from the north to the south side of the river. As they reached the centre of the stream an oar-lock broke and the party was carried over the small dam, which was located just above what was formerly called the "great falls." The boat then capsized, the helpless victims went over the falls and the whole five were drowned. Mrs. Joseph Primeau had only been married about three weeks, and had re- turned from her wedding trip but the Thurs- day before the accident. Miss Bibaud was a talented young lady, who set the type for the Phare de Lac, a French paper, published here at that time. The affair cast a gloom over the whole town and did much to create a wholesome fear for the treacherous currents of Black River. The writer was one of those who, aided by Mr. Stephen DeLong, helped to remove the body of Mrs. Primeau from the rapid current of the river, where it had lodged upon a partially submerged rock,

Deacon Isaac Bacon, of the Baptist Church of Watertown, and Moses Bacon, for a long time sexton of the First Presbyterian Church, were brothers. They were born in Natick, Conn., the same town that claimed Hon. Henry Wilson as a native. With their father the emigrated, early in this century, to the Black River country, locating in Lewis county. Isaac Bacon came to Watertown in 1839. He had three children, the eldest (Lavina), and the youngest (Elizabeth), mar-

ried brothers, Avery and Dr. A. R. Thomas. The second daughter, Eleanor, died in 1841.

Eli Farwell was a man of unusual capacity, integrity and moral worth. He was the son of Dr. Isaac Morse Farwell, of Groton, Mass., who removed finally to Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., where Eli was born March 14, 1791. His father, in addition to his medical practice, had a small farm, where his sons acquired those habits and foundations for knowledge that served them so well in after life. Eli was of slender constitution, however, and though his parents desired him to become a profes- sional man, he determined to be a mason ; that occupation giving him more out-of-door exer- cise than any other. But after three years of experience at that trade he concluded that it was too great a tax upon his vitality, and was therefore abandoned. Wintering in Nor- folk, Va., he returned home improved in health. For a few years he was more or less in merchandise, but his knowledge of mason work induced him to take some stone con- tracts on the Erie Canal, in company with his brother Samuel, and they made considerable money from their venture.

In 1819 he married Miss Margaret Brayton, sister of Rev. Isaac Brayton, for many years the acceptable pastor of the First Presby- terian church, in which Mr. Farwell was an elder from 1837 until his death in 1866.

In 1824 he came to Watertown, and pur- chased from L. Paddock his goods and store, and had for a long time as partner, Mr. Josiah W. Baker, under the firm name of Farwell & Baker.

In 1831 his failing heart warned him to seek some outside occupation that would keep him in the open air. He therefore took a large contract for masonry on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, which took two years to complete, his young wife remaining with him until the contract was completed, his store at ·

Watertown remaining in charge of his partner. In 1849 his health again failed him, and in company with his brother Samuel, he took a contract on a large reservoir at Boston, Mass., and after its completion he returned to Water- town and purchased an interest in the Union Mills, in which he continued for many years.

In 1835 he was chosen a member of the Legislature, serving with credit and accepta- bility. He was also a director of the Water- town and Potsdam R. R., one of the first trustees of the Black River Literary and Re- ligious Institute, and a director of the Jeffer- son County Mutual Insurance Company.

Among the more ancient cemeteries, we lately visited what is now called "the old burying ground," west of the Rome Railroad track. The place is properly protected by a good fence, and there has been lately laid upon the street front a nice, new plank walk. Interments were frequent there from 1825 to 1865, and are sometimes made there now, but much less seldom than from 1865 to 1880. Jonathan Massey, father of our earliest settler, Hart Massey, is buried there, dying in 1853, over 80 years of age, and Betsey, his wife, dying in 1819, also quite old. Hart Massey

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is also interred there, dying in 1853, aged 81, and his wife, Lucy, who departed this life in 1856, aged 85 years.

Among many other old residents buried there is Alvin Hunt, the veteran editor.

The Catholic burying-ground adjoins this older one; is well kept, and the loyal mem- bers of that religious body find fitting sepul- chre there.

The French Catholics have also a burying- ground named Calvary, near Huntingtonville, said to be a very pretty spot, not far from the river. The Irish Catholics have pur- chased forty-five acres of land directly op- posite Brookside, which they purpose to make beautiful and attractive.

After diligent inquiry, the author has not been able to find who were the donors of Factory Square to the public. But deeds and leases dating back to 1808, were at that early day bounded by the Square. It is doubtful whether there ever was any formal dedication of that land to public use, but it was prob- ably so given up by common consent, and almost a century of use has made the title good to the people. It was most likely sur- rendered to public use by the old Black River Woolen and Cotton Manufacturing Company, which is well known to have bought from ad- joining owners the land comprising Factory street, as an "easement". or private means of access from the Public Square to the large estate that company purchased from Jewett.

A somewhat unique character in Water- town, dating back early in the thirties, is Daniel Minthorn, a farmer's son, who was once a merchant in Watertown, then a mer- chant in New York City, and afterwards a real estate owner at Gouverneur, out of which property he was defrauded in the name of law and justice-a peculiar perversion of both of which attributes have left him poor in his old age. Mr. Minthorn was always of an invent- ive, speculative mind, taking nothing for truth that would not bear the investigation he was ever prepared to give. He took the first daguerrotypes ever made in Northern New York, his implements having been one of the writer's early recollections, as they stood upon a recessed veranda on the front of the oldest brick American hotel. Mr. Minthorn has also manifested ability as a writer, some of his articles upon geology and its developments in Jefferson county having been extensively read. His mind is yet bright, and in his 81st year he enjoys the respect and regard of all the older people. The younger ones know but little of his ability, or the important posi- tions he has from time to time filled.

His brother, Harmon Minthorn, was his partner while they had a store on Court street, in Watertown. He is more generally remembered, perhaps, as a wool buyer, pur- chasing the farmers' clippings for many years, shipping the purchases to New York, Water- town having then for many years given up all textile manufacturing. One of the latest efforts having been that of John A. Haddock, in the old Jefferson Cotton Mills, now entirely obliterated by the fine buildings of Nill &

Jess and the Watertown Spring Wagon Com- pany, at Factory Square.

Those Minthorn brothers bore more than their fair share in the development of early Watertown, and deserve honorable mention for their public spirit, their business ability and their kindness of heart.

Among the families who have contributed to the growth of Watertown, that of Francis Lamon stands prominent. The progenitor of the Lamon families of our city was born in Washington county in 1775. He married Miss Philena Crane, about 1800. Two years later, in 1802, Francis Lamon bought 100 acres of land, located on Dry Hill, in the town of Watertown. He moved from Bridgewater, Oneida county, to this wild land. Such a journey was fraught with great toil -the distance was over 100 miles with an ox team. On Dry Hill they commenced life in the wilderness, battling with all its diffi- iculties. Mr. and Mrs. Lamon were people of indomitable energy, tenacity of purpose and untiring industry, qualities that must be possessed by those who venture upon a pio- neer life. In the course of these years, four children were born to them, and upon their farm they were reared and educated.

In 1836 Francis Lamon sold his lands, which had grown to 450 acres. He moved into the village of Watertown, where the family grew up to be people of prominence and importance. Mrs. Francis Lamon died in 1844, and Francis survived his wife sixteen years, dying in 1862, in his 87th year.

When 10 years of age I began to carry the Eagle and Standard, having become an ap- prentice to the "art preservative" in that office. This paper I faithfully served for four years, when I struck against longer ser- vice in that department of the " profession." Once, when I had the measles and was home sick at the Sulphur Springs, a new boy was put on the route, but with unusually disas- trous results. The next day after he had been paid for distributing the edition, com- plaints began to come in of not having re- ceived the paper-somc of the complainants declaring that they didn't care much for it, but after all they " kinder missed it." The boss made an examination, and concluded that his "sub" had gone over only part of the route, around the village square, leaving the distant portions unserved. While his mind was considerably worked up over it, a man came in with a large package of the last week's edition under his arm, and around it the very same wrapper the boy had used when starting out. The bundle had been picked up in the yard of the Methodist stone church, on Arsenal street, adjoining the dwelling of him we called "Elder" Way, the well-known water-carrier and carman. The young rascal had deliberately thrown the papers away rather than serve them, and after waiting a suitable time had come in and collected his pay. That boy's name I have forgotton. I had recovered from my illness, having re- turned to duty the very day the " jetsam'd" papers were recovered, and was loud in my

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denunciation of that boy's flagrant breach of trust, for he had done the very thing I had often been almost ready to do myself, and I wanted to ease my own conscience by con- demning him-just as we see grown-up men and women railing against those who commit the very sins they are themselves guilty of. Yet, condemn him openly as I might, in my inmost heart I admired his independence in breaking away from a task he had found to be irksome, and turning the hours of labor into perhaps a ball match or a good swim at Whittlesey's point. His subsequent career I could not follow, for even his name is swallowed up in oblivion. Whether he re- gretted in after years the audacious way in which he had abandoned the "perfesh," and perhaps taken upon himself the easier life of tailor or a shoemaker, remains a mere con- jecture. We saw him no more.

The permanence of impression made upon an observing boy's mind by the peculiarities of the men he meets in his experience, has even been a curious study with me. My weekly route in carrying the newspaper made me familiar with almost every face in the vil- lage, and I think I could then tell where every man or woman or grown-up child lived. To this day I can recall the walk, the peculiar speech, the general personality of all the leading men in Watertown from 1833 to 1861.

There was always a strife between the opposition newspaper offices in getting out the President's message, and the carriers were expected to deliver the damp sheets as soon as possible after they left the press. I re- member that once I went over my route after dark in a blinding snow storm. Calling at John Sigourney's brick house on Factory street, that somewhat austere gentleman him- self opened the door, and invited me in, thanking me for my promptness, and giving

me a " quarter." That was a present so un- expected and so acceptable that it made a vivid impression on my young mind, and I always liked Mr. Sigourney for it.

Afterwards, when I was partner with Mr. Ingalls, my eldest son, Orison, (who died at Carlisle, Pa., editor of the Herald), came by natural inheritance to be a newspaper carrier. It was the custom then, and it may be so now, to send the paper free to all the minis- ters as a sort of set-off, probably, for the editors' general neglect of attendance at their churches. My young son had been told by some one, perhaps his grandmother, that the Catholics would never go to heaven like good Methodists and "perhaps some of the Bap- tists." The good woman had probably read the book of Maria Monk, who went about the country in those days selling her work and preaching tirades against Catholicism, claim- ing that she was an escaped nun-but after listening to her story or reading her book, you hoped that "none" such would ever cross your path again, Well, what Orison had heard made him very timid about leaving the paper at the Catholic priest's house, gener- ally compromising the matter by ringing the door-bell, dropping the paper, and making a quick run out of the yard to a safe distance down the street. One New Year's Day he rang the bell as usual, and made a rush for the gate-but just at that moment the door opened, and he was called to "come back." Turning in his flight, he saw a humorous, chubby face, and a friendly hand beckoning him to approach. Venturing back, the good priest smilingly gave him a silver dollar as a New Year present. Ever afterwards that boy felt like withdrawing any personal objections he might have been taught to entertain against Catholics reaching the same heaven where all the good Methodists and "some of the Baptists " would be welcomed. J. A. H.

HON. BEMAN BROCKWAY.

BEMAN BROCKWAY was a newspaper man. It was his life work, and he never cared for higher honors as he understood what honor was-to be in some measure a force for the elevation of the race; to have a good effect on the lives of people. He was engaged in the business for fifty-nine years, from the time he was nineteen years of age until he died at the age of seventy-eight, not counting his term of apprenticeship. He came to Jefferson county in 1860, and purchased an interest in the "Watertown Reformer" published by L. Ingalls and J. A. Haddoek. A year later the Daily Times was started, and Mr. Brockway was connected with the two publications as editor until his death, except at one or two brief periods. What effect he may have had upon the life and thought of Jefferson county, can, of course, not be known. The editor never knows the result of his work. He sees the tangled thread on his side the fabric, but never the completed picture. But this is

known, that he labored always to elevate and never to degrade; that he worked honestly, and feared no man.

Beman Brockway was born on a farm in the town of Southampton, Mass., April 12, 1815. He died in Watertown, Dec. 16, 1892.

In his autobiography he says that he did not remember the time when he was a boy and enjoyed juvenile sports. He never saw the day when he would not as soon work as play. He did not like the business of farming, and when he was fifteen years of age he be- came an apprentice in the office of the South- ampton Courier. His parents, meantime hav- ing removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and having finished his apprenticeship, young Brockway obtained leave of absence to visit them, going by stage and canal, and a part of the way by the Schenectady railway which had been completed the previous year, (1832.) He obtained some work on newspapers in Chautauqua county, and, inspired by the suc-

Rackweer

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cess of Horace Greeley, whose parents lived on a neighboring farm. he went to New York, but was unsuccessful in obtaining employ- ment. He met Horace Greeley, however, and formed a friendship that was never broken through life. He returned to his father's farm and soon after obtained employment on the Mayville Sentinel, and soon after that, when nineteen years of age, he became owner of the paper. He remained here ten years and was very successful as a newspaper publisher in this, his first effort, a success which always attended him in that business wherever he was. He sold out in 1845, and came to Oswego, where he purchased the Oswego Palladium which he published successfully for eight years, and started the daily which still prospers. He then went to New York and became an editor of the Tribune under Mr. Greeley, and was one of the distinguished galaxy of writers which made the Tribune the most powerful of the newspapers of the nation in the years immediately preceding the war. He never liked the metropolis, and losing his wife in 1854, dislike for life there became intensified, and he came to Pulaski where he went into the milling business, in which he says: "I sank money, of course, because I have never been successful in any business outside of making newspapers."

In the campaign for Fremont, in 1856, he addressed a large number of political meetings and in 1858 was elected to the Legislature. He was on the Committee on Canals, and made chairman of a special committee to consider constitutional amendments, and drafted the resolution to submit to the people whether or not the colored people of the State should be allowed the elective franchise. He was also parent of the first registry law, which re- mained in operation in the State until the adoption of the present enlarged laws on that subject.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 49

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