Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 61

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 61

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Horace Whitney came to Jefferson county from Vermont, about 1830, and settled in the

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town of LeRay. He died about 1846. After his death his widow, Mary, married his brother, Riley. George R. Whitney, son of Horace, was born in LeRay, March 12, 1844, and until he was 18 years old he resided upon a farm in that town. He was engaged in farming until 1875, when he located in this city.

Curtis Goulding was born in Holliston, Mass., August 10, 1776. In 1805 he removed to Eaton, N. Y., and in 1808 settled on a farm at Pamelia Four Corners, where he died July 11, 1857. Amos Goulding was born May 28, 1816. He married Mary Stuart, of LeRay, September 19, 1843, was a farmer in that town for 33 years, and served as highway commis- sioner two years. He has been a resident of Watertown since 1876.

William Stuart, jr., located in LeRay about 1810. He married Lucy Cole and they had two children, Mary and Sanford. He was a farmer, and died August 9, 1853. His widow survives, and resides with her daughter Mary (Mrs. Amos Goulding), in Watertown. San- ford Stuard died May 13, 1844.

Charles M. Paris was born in Lewis county. He began life as a farmer, and was also early engaged as a tanner, in Copenhagen. In 1847 he removed to Jefferson county and engaged in farming in Rutland. In 1875 he removed to Watertown, where he engaged in the gro- cery trade, and subsequently embarked again in the tannery business. His works were located on Fairbanks street, and were carried on by him for a period of over four years. In 1882 Mr. Paris was elected justice of the peace.

Horace Wilder was born in Worcester, Mass., in January, 1804, and about 1830 lo- cated in the town of Rodman, in this county. He had four children, two of whom, Solon and George H., survive him, and are proprie- tors of the Crowner House in this city. Mr. Wilder died April 10, 1890, at the Crowner House, where had resided for 12 years.

Roswell Bosworth, from Massachusetts, settled near Smithville, in the town of Adams, about 1811. Reuben S., son of Roswell, was born in 1819, and was educated in the Black River Literary and Religious Institute. Mr. Bosworth has been a lecturer on natural science, was a teacher in the Farmers' College, near Cincinnati, ten years; in the Normal school, Terre Haute, Ind., one year; in the Watertown High School, and in the Adams Collegiate Institute several years. President Harrison was one of his pupils at Terre Haute. He is now a manufacturer of tele- scopes, and resides in Brownville.

Oscar P. Hadcock was born in Harrisburg, Lewis county, in 1838. He was a school tcacher for ten years, and also a farmer. In 1870 he bought a hardware store in Copen- hagen, which he carried on for six years, and then engaged in banking for one year. He was clerk in the Assembly in 1880. He then located in Watertown, where he has since re- sided. He was secretary of Jefferson County Agricultural Society three years, was alder- man of the Second Ward in 1888, and was

treasurer of the Thousand Island Park Asso- ciation for three years

F. A. Bennett's greenhouses, at 83 Massey street, were established in 1879 by the present proprietor. In 1882 his brother, Thomas E., became associated with him, the firm title being Bennett Brothers, which con- tinued five years, when Thomas E. withdrew. Since 1887 F. A has conducted the business alone. He makes a specialty of cut flowers and floral designs and decorations. His greenhouses cover more than 3,000 square feet of land.

Samuel and Sabrina Haddock were born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1804, married early, and in 1822 came to Watertown to found a home. Samuel's father had been sheriff of Herkimer county, and had fair opportunities for education in the public schools of those days. Sabrina was a daugh- tet of Rev. Asahel Barnes, an old-time preacher-without-pay Methodist minister, and it is somewhat singular that for over a hundred years continuously, there has been some one of this family in the Methodist itinerancy. To Samuel and Sabrina were born six children, four boys and two girls. Their father educated them at the Black River Literary and Religious Institute, when his pay as a journeyman blacksmith was only from $1.75 to $2 25 per day. He was Wm. Smith's blacksmith foreman for nearly twenty years. His youngest son, George Channing, was that Dr. Haddock who was murdered by the whisky and brothel gang in Sioux City in 1886. [See his biography on page 15 of this History]. William, the oldest son, was major of an Iowa cavalry regiment, who served with Sherman on the historic march from Chattanooga to the sea. John A. is the author and publisher of this History. Orison was accidentally drowned from the U. S. frigate Congress, in 1844. One of the daugh- ters was the wife of Dr. W. W. Allport, the distinguished Chicago dentist, and Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Wilkins, of Anamosa, Iowa. This is a family who were early in- stilled into all the economy and hard work of the era in which they lived, and have made useful members of society.

A conspicuous and deserving family in Watertown for many years, were the Lords. Judah Lord was the proprietor, with his nephew, Gilderoy, of an extensive foundry and plow manufactory on Beebee's Island. Gilderoy died in 1892, a wealthy and honored citizen. Judah, brother of the distin- guished Colonel William Lord of Brownville, began his business life with his brother in that village, but removed to Watertown in the forties; was prospered in his business, and recognized for many years as a skilled inventor and mechanic, and a much respected citizen. He died in 1876, and his widow died in 1884. They left three daughters, Miss Lydia, well known and beloved, and Mrs. James DeLong and Mrs. Judge Scott, two ladies who are well known as exemplary and charitable. Mr. Lord and his three chil- dren, as well as the daughters' husbands,

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have been long identified with the M. E. Churches of Watertown.

The DeLongs have been, from an early day, identified with the progress of Water- town. There were six brothers, Milton, Steph- en, James, George, Homer and Bingham. All have passsed away except James and Bing- ham. They were a hard-working, intelligent pushing family, contractors and builders, and their handiwork can be seen all over the city. James DeLong was one of those men caught in the Partridge factory fire-trap, in 1848, and saved his life by dropping from a height which intimidated his fellows, who perished right in sight of a horror-stricken crowd. A thirty-six foot ladder would have easily saved them. Mr. DeLong quickly re- covered from his injuries, and has survived that thrilling experience these many years, a useful, respected, Christian citizen. Later in life he has been a prominent insurance man, and though past 70, is yet active and indus- trious, seen upon the streets almost any day.

Ira Inglehart settled in Ogdensburg before 1812, served in the American navy, and in 1815 removed to Hounsfield. Cornelius W., son of Ira, married Emeline Foote, and they had six children. He was a Republican, took an active part in politics, and in 1861 was appointed collector at Sackets. Harbor. He was also a railroad commissioner for the Sackets Harbor and Carthage Railroad. Hiram F. Inglehart, son of C. W., was born in Hounsfield, March 28, 1846. He has been a merchant in Watertown several years, was one of the original stockholders of the West- minister Park, is treasurer of that associa- tion, and has been proprietor of the hotel there since 1884, and of the hotel at Thousand Island Park the past year. In 1888 he was elected alderman of the 4th ward. He married Nettie Blodgett, and they have six children. He is now mayor of the city of Watertown.

John Lansing, son of Robert Lansing, was born at Watertown, November 18, 1832. He was educated at Poughkeepsie and later in Watertown, studied law in the offices of George C. Sherman and Alexander Wilson, and was admitted to the bar in 1854. From 1855 to 1863 he was a member of the firm of Lansing & Sherman, his partner being George H. Sherman, now president of the National Bank and Loan Company. In 1860, Charles A. Sherman was admitted to the firm, and he and Mr. Lansing remained as partners under the same firm name until 1878, when the partnership was dissolved, and from that year until 1889 Mr. Lansing has practiced alone. He married the only daughter of Judge Edwin Dodge, of St. Lawrence county, in 1864, and has a son and two daughters living, the former now a partner of his father, the firm being known as Lansing & Lansing.

Myron Beebee, though not at present in the jewelry business. he having taken up insur- ance for a livelihood, was for many years the leading watch and jewelry dealer in Watertown. His wife was one of the beauti- ful Symonds girls, so popular in Watertown in the forties.

He came into Watertown in 1827 with his uncle, who built the great cotton mill on Beebee's Island, and whose departure from the town did not fall far short of being a pub- lic calamity. Mr. Beebee has been for more than half a century a modest, gentlemanly citizen, whom it is a pleasure to know, and is one of the very few now upon the streets who knew Watertown when it had no pre- tensions beyond being the successful rival of Sackets Harbor and Brownville-when its ambition to become the city it is to-day was yet an unthought of, undeveloped factor. In all its growth, Mr. Beebee has been an un- pretending sharer and active participant, and in his old age he enjoys universal respect.

Among the many industrious men who have made Watertown's mechanical reputation so complete and satisfactory, we may mention Mr. William Montgomery, who came to Watertown 26 years ago from the city of New York-his ancestors being both Irish and Scotch. For 13 years he was in the em- ploy of Mr. George W. Wiggins, in his mer- chant tailoring establishment. He has for years been in business for himself, and now holds forth at 812 Court street, in his own building. He owns what was once the old Peck & Welch dry goods store, where his store is located. He is a successful man, and has worked his way up to the respect of the community by long years of patient industry. In addition to his store building he is the owner of two good dwelling houses, after having reared a family of seven children. Such men are of that progressive class who raise higher year by year the standard of mechanical excellence in America. We need more men like Mr. Montgomery.

Dr. E. A. Holbrook, author and poet, was born in Madrid, N. Y., October 9, 1817. He obtained an academic education at the St. Lawrence Academy and Clinton Liberal In- stitute, and studied medicine two years, but relinquished its practice because of a broken constitution caused by the epidemic of 1843. He married Lucinda Richardson, of Madrid, in 1839, who died in 1842. During this period he learned the art of dentistry. He taught school seven seasons, commenced preaching the faith of Universalism in fellow- ship with that denomination in 1844, which he continued until 1857, when he relinquished his letter of fellowship, and attended more to the practice of dentistry. To the latter pro- fession he devoted over 50 years. He moved to Watertown in 1852. Much of his time has been devoted to lecturing on various subjects, and writing for different journals-the ques- tion of capital and labor, the canals, rail- roads and kindred subjects being the most prominent. His poems, published and un- published, would cover more than 1,000 fair- sized pages. Of his published works is a book of poems, entitled "Life Thoughts," of 500 pages, which met a ready sale. It was published in 1875. In 1882. a book of 160 pages entitled "The Light of Prophecy," and in 1888, a small volume entitled "The Soul, or Life's Problem," were published. The

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latest work of Dr. Holbrook is the third edition of a poem, 112 pages, entitled, "The Light of the Future, or the Evolution of Re- ligion." In 1846 he was married to Anna Melissa Hazelton, of Fowler, St. Lawrence county. The first seven years of his preach- ing were in Malone, Franklin county. He has four sons-all prosperous men.

Dr. Holbrook has been the artificer of his own fortune, being 15 years of age when his father died, leaving a wife and twelve chil- dren in straightened circumstances, their needs absorbing a portion of his first earnings. For the past 42 years he has been considered one of the prosperous citizens of Watertown, and is a man it would be hard to replace.

Mrs. E. A. Denny, now residing on Pad- dock street, Watertown, was born in the city of New York in 1840. In 1860 she married J. Perry Denny, a native of Ohio. They re- moved to Syracuse in the year 1870. After many years of married life her husband died in that city in 1885. Four years afterward she removed to Watertown, to be near her son. The five children reared by Mrs Denny are still living: Mrs. E. L. George, Dr. F. P. and Miss Ida May Denny, all of Water- town, and Harry N. and W. W. Denny, of Syracuse.

Dr. Frank Perry Denny, now a success- ful dentist of Watertown, was born in 1863, in New York city. He began to study dentis- try with Dr. Nearing, of Syracuse, in 1884. Was matriculated at New York College of Dentistry and University Medical College of the city of New York, in 1885, whence he graduated in 1887 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. After graduating he entered into partnership with Dr. S. M. Robinson, Watertown's oldest dentist. In April, 1891. he relinquished his interest in the firm of Robinson & Denny, and has since pursued his professional labors at No. 8 Doo- little block. Dr. Denny is a skillful, con- scientious and industrious practioner. In 1879 he married Miss Minnie L. Chapman, and they have one dear little girl.

Isaac P. Powers, son of Lorenzo and Dia- dema (Caldwell) Powers, was born in Fowler, St. Lawrence county, in 1826. His father died in Gouverneur, in June, 1886, his mother having died in 1844.

Isaac P. was reared upon a farm, and after attaining his majority, engaged in mercantile pursuits in Denmark, Lewis county. In 1852 he came to Watertown, where he has since resided. In 1868 he became secretary and treasurer of the Watertown Steam Engine Company, serving about six years, since which time he has been in no active business. He is a director in the Watertown Spring Wagon Company, and Watertown Ther- mometer Company, of which he is also presi- dent, and has been a director of the National Union Bank for many years, and is a member of the firm of D. S. Miller & Co.

Frank A. Hinds, civil engincer, was born in Watertown. His parents, Earl B. and Almira (Allen) Hinds, were natives of North -. ern New York. After a ycar in the engineer-

ing department at Yale College, he spent a year with the engineer of New York city. On Christmas, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary R. Thompson, of Watertown, daughter of William Thompson of that city. In 1868 he was engaged on the early survey of the Black River & St. Lawrence Railroad. He was chief engineer of the Carthage, Water- town & Sackets Harbor Railroad, which position he held to the completion of the road. Later he laid out and mapped the Thousand Island Park of the St. Lawrence river, and the numerous summer resorts in that locality, and also for a time had charge as engineer of the construction of the Kings- ton & Pembroke Railway, of Canada. Be- sides other important positions he has served as city engineer of Watertown for several terms. He formed an association with J. F. Moffett, H. E. Hodgkins and J. V. Clark, and under the firm name of Hinds, Moffett & Co., established water works in many cities and villages. In 1866 he sold his interest to his partners, and the firm became Moffett, Hodgkins & Clarke.

Mr. Hinds' official positions have been numerous and important. He is yet in the prime of life and good for many years of hard work. His residence, on a suburban farm, gives him all the enjoyments of a country life.

Ross C. Scott, surrogate of Jefferson county, was born in Rutland in 1838, and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Pierce) Scott. He attended Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary and graduated at Lima, Livingston county, in 1860. He was admitted to the bar in 1863, and been in practice since, except when hold- ing office. He has served as justice of the peace, town clerk, and in the common coun- cil of the city; was elected surrogate in 1877, and has been successively re-elected, and is serving his third term.

General Abner Baker was born in North- ampton, Mass., in 1791. He traced his line- age back unchallenged to those who helped Gov. Winthrop form his colony on " bleak New England's storm-tossed coast," in 1630. About 1808 the General came to Watertown and began life with Abraham Jewett, as a "hand " in his brickyard. In 1811 he mar- ried Miss Eunice Hull, beginning housekeep- ing, and continuing his relations with Mr. Jewett as his foreman and adviser, the yard being maintained in that classic precinct still called Goodale's lane, an original path or cross-lots course from Sterling street to Franklin.

While yet a young man the General was elected to some town office, which led to his being intimately connected with the politics of the county for many subsequent years, and in which, as a leading Whig, he displayed great aptitude, as well as advancing his material wealth. He was an amiable, accu- mulative, pleasant gentleman, well known to the writer in his youth. He was twice elected sheriff of the county, the legal inter- vening year having been filled by his relative, Chauncey Baker, of Sackets Harbor. He

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died July 25, 1872-leaving an honorable memory and an unclouded name.

Hon. Frederick Lansing was born in Herki- mer county in 1838. At 18 years of age he entered the office of Judge F. W. Hubbard, under whose tuition he remained until admit- ted to practice in 1859. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K., 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was chosen 1st lieutenant of his company. In June, 1863, he was promoted to adjutant of the 8th N. Y. Cavalry. At Bristow station in October, 1863, he was dangerously wound- ed by a musket-ball, which disabled him from further service. He resumed the practice of his profession until he was elected to the 51st Congress, in 1888. From 1881 to 1885 he served as State Senator.

Charles H. Walts was born in the town of Pamelia in 1839. He was educated at the common schools of the county, and attended the Jefferson County Institute. He com- menced the study of law in the office of Clark & Calvin, and subsequently entered the Albany Law School, receiving his diploma in 1861, with the degree of B.A. He com- menced practice in Theresa, but soon re- moved to Watertown and formed a partner- ship with Judge F. W. Hubbard, with whom he was associated until he formed a partner- ship with Wilbur F. Porter, under the name of Porter & Walts.

He was elected to the bench in 1877 and re- elected in 1883. At the expiration of his term a new firm was formed, and it is now known as Porter, Walts & Porter.

Daniel G. Griffin, son of Maurice and Mar- garet (Flynn) Griffin, was born in Wilna in 1848. He attended the district `schools, the High School of Watertown and the Antwerp Academy. He studied law in the office of Hubbard & Walts, and in 1876 he was admit- ted to practice. At the present time he is a member of the firm of Mullin, Griffin & Walker.

Wilbur F. Porter is a native of Herkimer county, where he was born in 1832. His parents, Andrew and Sally (Parkhurst) Por- ter, came to Jefferson county from Herkimer about 1842, and located in the town of Theresa, where they resided until the close of their lives. Wilbur F. Porter received an academic education, and commenced the study of law while teaching at Cape Vincent. His studies were continued in the office of Bagley & Wright, of Watertown, and in 1857 he was admitted to practice. In 1860 he located in Watertown, where he established himself, and has since retained a leading position as a lawyer. Mr. Porter was in the office of Bagley & Wright for a number of years, and for 10 years was a partner with E. B. Wynn. In 1877 he formed his present co-partnership by admitting Charles

H. Walts, ex-county judge. Mr. Porter is a popular citizen, and has been elected mayor of the city four times. He is now one of the judges of the Court of Claims, an appoint- ment lasting six years.

Joseph Mullin was born in Watertown in 1848, and is a son of Judge Joseph Mullin,

whose sketch appears on p. 264. He was educated in the schools of Watertown, and in the Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N. Y. His preliminary studies of the law commenced in the office of his father, and were continued in Judge M. H. Merwin's office. He was ad- mitted to practice in 1871, and for a time was associated with Judge Merwin. In 1876 he formed a partnership with Daniel G. Griffin, under the firm name of Mullin & Griffin, which is still maintained, and is largely inter- ested in real estate operations. Mr. Mullin is at present (1894) State Senator from the 21st district.

Thomas F. Kearns was educated in the schools of Philadelphia, N. Y., supplemented by a three years' course at the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, and one year at the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. During his preliminary studies he was a teacher for five terms in various places. Deciding upon the legal profession, he entered the office of Wynn & Porter in 1871, and in 1872 was ad- mitted to practice. Mr. Kearns continued in the office of his preceptors for several years as an assistant, and subsequently was for three years in the office of the late Bernard Bagley. Since 1876 he has been in constant practice. Mr. Kearns has served as a mem- ber of the board of health, and as an excise commissioner, and has served ten years as supervisor from his ward.

Henry Purcell, son of Michael and Susan (Keon) Purcell, was born in Wilna in 1848. He was reared and educated in the county, having the advantages of the Watertown High School, and a two years' course in the Antwerp Academy. He then became a teacher, and in 1872 entered the law office of J. C. McCartin. In the fall of 1872 he was elected school commissioner of the second dis- trict of the county, and served in that capac- ity three years, continuing his law studies in the meantime. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar, and was for three years with the firm of McCartin & Williams, as assistant. He then became a partner of the late Charles A. Sherman, which association continued until the death of Mr. Sherman. In the fall of 1881 he was elected city recorder, and served the four succeeding years. He has also served the city for two years as attorney, and has been a member of the school board for several years.

Elon R. Brown was born in Stone Mills, in the town of Orleans, October 9, 1857. His father, Elon Galusha Brown, for many years a store-keeper at Stone Mills, and now de- ceased, was the eldest son of Rev. Parley Brown, a prominent local Baptist preacher for many years in this county, and the grand- son of Ebenezer Brown, who came from Kil- lingsly, Conn., and settled in the town of Lorraine about the beginning of this century. His mother, Lucretia R. Brown, is the daugliter of Daniel C. Rouse, sheriff of this county in 1852, commissioned as brigadier general of the State militia in the Patriot War, and for many years a leading Demo- cratic politician, and the grand-daughter of

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William Rouse, who came from Stonington, Conn., but earlier from Rhode Island, and settled in the town of Clayton among the first settlers. Elon R. moved with his parents to Watertown in 1868; graduated from the Watertown High School in 1874, Brown Uni- versity in 1878, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Soon after his admission he formed a co-partnership with L. J. Dorwin, which continued until recently, and he is now in partnership with C. L. Adams. He has been actively engaged in his profession, and, with the exception of minor local offices, had not held office until his selection as a member of the Constitutional Convention. He married Ettella B. Green, daughter of Monroe and Frances M. Green, of Adams Centre, in 1882, and three children have been born to them.

Joseph Atwell, Jr., was born in Theresa in 1858. He was educated in the schools of Watertown, and was a law student in the law office of Mullin & Griffin. He was admitted to practice in January, 1881, and for some time was managing clerk in the law office of McCartin & Williams. He has served as city attorney two years (1881 to 1886), and for several years has represented his ward in the board of supervisors.

Brayton A. Field, son of Safford E. and Phoebe (Allen) Field, was born in 1853 in Hounsfield, his parents' native town. His grandparents were natives of Vermont, and his father's father located at Field's Settle- ment in 1806. On his mother's side his ancestors were descendants from the old Ethan Allen stock; on his father's side they were a branch of that family of which David Dudley and Stephen Field are members. Brayton A. graduated from the Watertown High School in 1873, and from Dartmouth College in 1878. He then became principal of Proctor Academy, Andover, N. H. In 1883 he began the study of law with O'Brien & Emerson; was admitted April 20, 1886, and has since been in practice in this city.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 61

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