Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 82

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

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VORMSBEE , 2414.10. SYR N.Y.

VIRGIL K. KELLOGG, District Attorney. WM. W. KELLEY, Deputy County Clerk.

HON. E. C. EMERSON, County Judge.

ROSS SCOTT, Surrogate. JACOB STEARS, Clerk Board of Supervisors.

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376 0

CITY OF WATERTOWN.

V. K. KELLOGG.

ON page 287 of this History the reader will find a notice of MR. V. K. KELLOGG, the present able district attorney for Jefferson county, the man who has done and is now doing so much to root out the dens of moral pollution, which, driven from the city or the larger towns, are finding lodgment in so many obscure places, even in the rural dis- tricts, where the assassination of society had gone on apparently unchecked until this fearless officer came to the front in the struggle between morality and depravity. He was born in the town of Rutland in March, 1858, son of Sylvester Kellogg (born at Martinsburg, N. Y, coming to Rutland in 1822). The son attended the district schools for a while, completing his scholas- tic education both at Watertown High School and Hungerford Collegiate Institute. at Adams, N. Y. In June, 1879, he began to study law in the office of Hon. Levi H, Brown, was admitted to the bar in October, 1882, at Rochester. He went to Carthage in November, 1884, and formed a business con- nection with Hon. A. E. Kilby. In 1892 he was elected district attorney by a plurality of 2,678 votes over John Conboy, Democrat. He opened an office in Watertown, January 1, 1893. He is an uncompromising Republican, and has been that from his youth up. The author of this History, in speaking of Mr. Kellogg in a previous notice, said: " We re- gard Mr. Kellogg as one of the brightest young men at the Jefferson county bar, at the present time. He has been unusually useful and acceptable in his position as district attorney, being one of three holding that office who have secured convictions in murder trials, during the 100 years since the organization of the county. He is well grounded in the principles and practice of the law, is an observing and close student, and has underpinned his legal learning with a good sound education. His success in a marked degree is intelligently predicted."

ROSS C. SCOTT,

THE surrogate of Jefferson county, whose face is shown upon the composite page of county officers, is one of the best known and most popular public officers who now serve the people and administer the laws of the county. He was born in Rutland in 1838. and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Pierce) Scott. He was in his youth an unusually studious and teachable boy. He attended the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, gradu- ating, in his scholastic education, from the institution at Lima, Livingston county, in 1860. He was admitted to the bar in 1863, and has been continuously in practice up to the present time (1895), except when hold- ing office. He has been justice of the peaee, town clerk, and in the common council of the city, was elected surrogate in 1877, and has been successively re-elected, being now in his third term.

Judge Scott has been unusually successful in having his decisions as surrogate sustain- ed by the Court on Appeal. When he ran as a candidate for the third term, a party who had tried to get away with the principal part of of a dead client's large estate, receiv- ed a decided set-back from Scott, made a political onslaught upon the Judge, and en- deavored to defeat his re-nomination, but . the move was defeated at the polls, and Judge Scott was re-elected for the third time. It was a merited tribute to his ability as a lawyer and to his integrity as a man. He has been an unusually faithfully and ac- commodating officer. His office is a model one, and an excellent example for other officers to follow.

WILLIAM W. KELLEY,

WHO holds the responsible position of deputy clerk, was born in Wilna, about a mile from Carthage, October 29, 1862. He had the ad- vantages of the excellent public schools of Wilna, completing his scholastic education at the Ives Seminary, in Antwerp, and at the Potsdam Normal School. Like so many of the bright men who are now in active life in Jefferson county, he taught school for five years, and received the highest honor the State could confer upon him in that relation, by giving him its formal certificate as a teacher. In 1888 he began the study of law at Carthage, with the distinguished firm of Kilby & Kellogg. In 1891 he completed his law studies at the Cornell Law School, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of

Laws. He was admitted to the bar Novem- ber 17, 1891. Since March, 1892, he has been connected with the Jefferson county clerk's office, acting as deputy under County Clerk Pierce, and Mr. Pierce has been altogether fortunate in his selection, for during his long sickness, the business of the office, always exacting and continuous, moved on without any perceptible break. Indeed, it may be said that old Jefferson was never more ad- vantageously served by its public officers than at the present time. They are an efficient lot of men, courteous, with level heads, and always leaving an impression upon the visitor that they know their duties as public officers, and desired to discharge them without hateur or brusqueness-two fatal mannerisms only too often indulged in by public officers in this free America. Mr. Kelley has a kind heart, as shown by his benevolent face, and his abilities are as marked as his manner is courteous and gentlemanly. A pleasant man to meet.

MR. JACOB STEARS, the well-known and ever-capable clerk of the Board of Super- visors, was too ill when this number of our History went to press, to give any details of his life. His illness is the result of long and protracted exertion during the late (1894) session of the county Legislature. biographical sketch will appear later. His

376 p

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

SOME BUSINESS SKETCHES.

FRANCIS E. JOSLIN was born in the town of Champion in 1851. His parents were Philander and Philnea (VanDusen) Joslin. He was an attendant at the common schools, but finished his scholastic education at the Ives Seminary in Antwerp. He taught school in Champion and in Rutland for six winters, and worked upon the farm sum- mers. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary Frances, daughter of Mr. Joseph Wise. Mr. Joslin accepted a position with Mr. Wise in his manufactory, where he continued for 12 years. Becoming tired of the confinement and monotony of the shop, he changed his residence to Charlottesville, Va., where he en- gaged in merchandizing. The investment proving unremunerative, he returned North, and accepted a position with James Wise, successor to Joseph Wise, and has been fore- man of that large shop for the past four years. Mr. Joslin is quite an extensive farmer as well as mechanic, owning 56 acres on Pearl street (the old Factory road). His farm is part of the Normander farm and the David Waters farm. Here he has made con- siderable improvements, and keeps a number of cows, horses, etc. His nearness to city stables gives him cheap manure, and the very superior soil which constitutes his farm,, gives him the largest crops. He has also a fine orchard. Mr. Joslin is a progress- ive, enterprising man, and his success is assured, both as a farmer and mechanic.

Mr. and Mrs. Joslin have reared two sons, Charles E. and Orrin Philander. They are both in school, the eldest now taking a final post-graduate course in chemistry. Mr. Joslin is distinguished for his amiability and careful respect for the men and boys under his control and instruction. His placidity of bearing is not often provoked into irritation or anger-a loveable, kind-hearted man, with many friends, for he shows himself friendly.

CHARLES T. WOODRUFF, who died in Watertown on November 30, 1894, is believ- ed to be the last of that noted family, whose sons have left a marked impression upon the civilization and the utility of our time, Theodore T. Woodruff (see page 32), was the unchallenged originator of the sleeping car, an invention now word-wide in extent and marked in the benefit it has conferred upon the travelling public. His brother Jonah is remembered as our native artist, having been the painter who made the re- markable callection of portraits of early settlers, once belonging to Mr. George W. Wiggins, and still to be seen in his former clothing store, the Great Wardbobe. Jonah also became a sleeping-car inventor-his plan (it. was a good one), carrying all the bedding and appurtenances beneath the floor, thus relieving the car from that peculiar motion so observable in a Pullman when passing curves, caused by their top-heaviness from carrying so much weight near the roof. Charles T. was a less pretentious man, but

he had a kind heart, was a thorough busi- ness man, and left an unsullied name.

WILLIAM J. KELLS, a citizen of Water- town, was born in the Province of Ontario, near Kingston, in 1855. He was the son of Robert Kells, who was a native of Ontario. William J. attended the common schools of that locality, in his 17th year removing to Syracuse, N. Y., where he took a business course from a private teacher. At Syracuse he commenced to learn the tinsmith business, which he continued four years-graduating as a journeyman, and in his third year of his apprenticeship he was foreman of the shop. In 1877 the firm by whom he was employed, failed in business, when he came to Watertown, and in 1878 entered the em- ploy of the Hitchcock Lamp Company. After six years he had charge of the mechanical department of the lamp works, and is now employed in that capacity.

In 1882 he married Miss Althea E. Ayer, of Watertown, and they have had two children, one of them now surviving, aged eight years.

In 1882 Mr. Kells had something of a Western experience. He purchased half a section in South Dakota, and actually began farming there, having broken up 100 acres and sown it to wheat. But inability to get this crop to market, dampened his Western ardor, and having sold at a fair advance, he parted with his possessions, considering that Watertown was a place good enough for himself and family to live in.

He has been something of a builder in Watertown, having built eleven houses and dealt in many more. Most of his real es- tate deals have been on the north side of the river. His residence is at 59 Lynde street, corner of Lansing, where he has an unusually fine residence for a working man.

AMONG the tailoring establishments of Watertown, is one that should have been noticed in its proper place among the busi- ness interests of the city. The great firm of Wanamaker & Brown, of Philadelphia city, have a branch establishment in Watertown, where samples are shown, measures taken, and all the manipulations of the clothing trade is gone through with, except the actual manufacture. That is done at Philadelphia by the most perfectly trained corps of cut- ters and makers to be found in America, per- haps in the wide world. Their rooms are at room 16 Burdick block, where thousands of samples are shown. Mr. Ira L. Rowlson has charge of the measuring, a gentleman whose large experience in his line insures a perfect fit. Mr. Gifford Brown is the sales agent. Those who have dealt with this agency speak in the highest term of the treatment they receive, and of the accuracy of the fits. One thing is certain, they have a wide range of samples, and the Philadelphia firm is one whose integrity and reputa- tion for fair dealing is world-wide.

377

ADAMS.

TOWNS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.

ADAMS.

THIS, one of the oldest and certainly one of the most important towns in the county of Jefferson, comes first in alphabetical order. Its early importance, its historical record, the number of the great and good men who have made its history illustrious, seem to demand more than an average historian. The author of this work considers himself fortunate in having secured for the important labor of " writing up" the town of Adams, a lady who was born there, and, like all true souls, still clings to her birth-place and the early associations of her childhood with undying affection. Mrs. E. J. Clark, wife of the veteran Democratic editor so long identified with journalism in old Jefferson, in her mature age is as sprightly and full of remi- niscences as in her early womanhood, and brings to her laborious task mature ability, great capacity for observation, a facile pen and the true historian's desire to search out and develop everything that may bring to light the incidents and events which those " heroes of discovery," whom she knew in her childhood, had helped to weave into the per- fect web of history. To these, "their names remembered or forgotten," is due the grand- est praise, the most enduring monuments. And it is fortunate for Adams and for us, that the oldest town in the county should have the ablest historian, "to the manor born," and able to take up the thread of history, even as she in early life received it, and pass on its unbroken line to those who shall come after us. We give the entire history of Adams. just as she has written it, and to her, and not to us, should come all the honor and the praise that are due to so good a work, done without pay, and offered by Mrs. Clark as her personal tribute to the history of Jefferson county. J. A. H.

ADAMS was settled in 1800. It lies in the southern part of Jefferson county, and was formed from Mexico, embracing townships 7 and 8. The north branch of Sandy Creek passes through it, affording a permanent water- power that has been largely utilized. It bor- ders upon the towns of Lorraine, Ellisburg, and Henderson. It was heavily timbered with beech, birch, maple and butternut. Cedar and pine were also found, which added much to the wealth of the town. The soil is fertile, being a sandy loam mixed with clay. It was one of the "Eleven Towns" on the Black River Tract, and received its name in honor of President John Adams. In March, 1804, No. 8 became a separate town, taking the name of Rodman. Benjamin Wright, of Rome, Oneida county, was the the surveyor of these lands in 1796.

Among the early settlers were Nicholas and

Alexander Salisbury, Eliphalet Edmunds, David Smith, Daniel and Samuel Fox, Isaac Baker, Jacob Kellogg, Peter Doxtater, Miles Cooper, John Coles and many others.

Samuel Fox cleared the first acre of land in the town, three miles east of Adams vil- lage. There he built a log house, and the same year brought his young wife, Lucy Williams, from Rome, Oneida county. While on a visit to her parents, in 1801, their eldest child was born. Their journeys were made on horseback through the forest, by the aid of marked trees, and when Mrs. Fox re- turned, her infant was carried, sometimes in her arms and at others in an improvised hammock, swung from its father's neck. On this farm this couple remained for more than fifty years. rearing a family of 12 children. Mr. Fox died in 1865, having survived his wife fifteen years. Jesse Fox, who died April 1, 1894, was the last surviving member of this family.

In 1807, David Wright, who emigrated in 1801, from Deerfield, Mass., married Anna Williams, a younger sister of Mrs. Fox; their wedding was celebrated in the log house of Mr. and Mrs. Fox. The bride was attired for the nuptials in the upper apartments, descend- ing upon a ladder to meet the expectant groom. They soon repaired to a home of their own in the vicinity, where they spent their honeymoon and where they remained until after the birth of their second child, W. W. Wright, late of Geneva, N. Y.

Mrs. Wright often referred to those days as among the happiest of her life. Her anticipa- tions of the future were as bright and her present as fraught with happiness as many a bride who has commenced life amid the splen- dors and gaiety of modern days. She was wont to dwell in after years upon the music of the birds in that woodland home and the mur- muring of the brook which flowed near her door, with an ardor which showed how truly she enjoyed this primitive mode of life.

Daniel Fox, an elder brother of Samuel, cleared land in 1800, on the south side of the creek, about two miles east of the village. Here he lived 73 years, and here he died in 1873, at the advanced age of 102 years. He belonged to a hardy race, and led a useful and active life. He was the father of two sons and four daughters, outliving both his sons.

Alexander Salisbury, brother of Nicholas, who came to Adams in 1800, was drowned that same year in Sandy Creek while attempt- ing to ford the stream. His death was the first that occurred in the town, and the mar- riage of his widow to Daniel Ellis, another pioneer, in 1802. was the first marriage that took place in the new settlement.

David Smith, who came to the town in

378

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

1800, had large contracts for land, a portion of which now constitutes Adams village. He built the first mills, a saw-mill and a grist- mill, and the settlement was long known as Smith's Mills. Mr. Smith became a widower in early life, afterwards marrying a widow Salisbury. At the time of this marriage their united family numbered ten. Four children were afterwards born to them, constituting rather a numerous family. But Mr. Smith was a capable business man, proving himself abundantly able to provide for his numerous progeny.

The first deeds of land to actual settlers were given August 20, 1802. In that year a bridge was built near Smith's Mills, but the stream was rapid, being subject to spring floods, which often proved disastrous, and this particular bridge was repeatedly swept away. A tax of $500 upon the town of Adams was authorized, April 13, 1839, for the purpose of building a bridge over the north branch of Big Sandy, at the village. This bridge was kept in repair until 1849, when a stone arched bridge was built at a cost of $6,000, which is still in use.

In 1854 a bridge was constructed, crossing the creek from Factory to Spring street. It was supported by wooden trestles, and was swept away in 1865. It was immediately re- placed by one resting upon stone piers. This was partially destroyed by fire, but was kept in repair until about 1877, when a new wooden one was erected in its place. That remained till the fall of 1893, when an iron structure took its place at an expense of over $4,000.

Several bridges were built in the Lisk locality previous to 1854, when a substantial covered bridge was constructed, which was replaced by a permanent iron bridge in 1894.

During the early years, bread was made mostly from corn meal, although wheat was soon raised and white bread became abun- dant. Salt pork was a standard article. Sugar, from the maple, pumpkins, potatoes with plenty of milk and cream constituted their living. Fruit of any description was a luxury not to be thought of in those days. Cows roamed at will through the forest, and if by chance they failed to return home at the accustomed hour, the tinkle of the bell suspended from their necks by a leather strap, designated the place where they lingered.

The privations of these early settlers were far from bringing unhappiness; on the con- trary, in the simple life they led, they knew little of the strife and anxiety which have attended later generations, and their mu- tual dependence upon each other formed a bond between them that came much nearer obedience to the commandment, "Love thy neighbor as thyself," than can often be wit- nessed at the present day.

Judge Benjamin Wright (not the survey- or), came to Adams at an early day. He was a lawyer of much ability, and did much to promote the welfare of the town. He was for many years surrogate of the county. His wife was a grand-daughter of Hon. Stephen

Ward, a distinguished patriot of the Revolu- tion, and her father was a captain in the Con- tinental army. She was widely known for her benevolence and personal care of the sick and needy settlers. They reared a family of six children, the eldest of whom became the wife of Henry B. Whipple, the present dis- tinguished Bishop of Minnesota. The second daughter married George Fairbanks, then of Watertown, now a resident of Florida. Their second son became an Episcopal clergyman of much ability. He died in early life, much lamented.

Three brothers named Morton (Elihu, Ab- ner and Julius), were among the early settlers. They emigrated from Vermont. Elihu be- came wealthy and remained in Adams during his long life. Abner and Julius were not as successful, and removed to Michigan at an early day. Julius D. Morton. a son of Ab- ner, was the father of J. Sterling Morton, the present Secretary of Agriculture at Washing- ton, who was born at Adams, but removed with his father to Monroe, Michigan, in 1834, when but two years of age. His mother was Emeline Sterling, daughter of Joseph Ster- ling, of Adams.

Isaac Baker was a successful farmer. He was the first town collector, and in later years its supervisor. His son, Collins Baker, displayed much ability as a portrait painter.

Three brothers named Thomas (Ira, Ezra and William), were among the early settlers of the town. Their lands were located two- and-a-half miles below Adams village, on Sandy Creek. They became wealthy farm- ers, and the location is still known as Thomas' Settlement.

In 1827 a post office was established near the stone hotel, built and kept for many years by Daniel Talcott, an early settler and suc- cessful farmer. The post office was known as the Union post office, but later was changed to the name of Appling, in honor of the chief officer in command at the battle of Sandy Creek. The post office was discontinued many years since.

Bradford Lisk was at one time a rich man. He was engaged in farming at an early day, and built a handsome brick residence two miles east of the village, which still retains its original appearance. The bridge that spans Sandy Creek opposite this dwelling is still known as Lisk's Bridge.

One of the best known farmers was Eliphalet Edmunds, who came down Black river in a boat which he made at High Falls, about 1798. He lost his boat at the falls, near Beebee's Island. After losing his boat he followed the river and bay to Ellisburg, where Lyman and Moses Ellis had made a settlement in 1797. Early in the present century he purchased a farm about a mile east of the Lisk farm, which, under his supervision, became one of the best cultivated and most admired farms in the town. He was one of the Presidential Electors designated by the Legislature in 1816.

Perhaps one of the most eminent farmers of the town at this time, was Richard Goodell,

379

ADAMS.

His farm contained 90 acres, situated in what is now the eastern portion of the village. He served as captain in the war of 1812, proving himself a brave and able soldier. He was sent to the Legislature several successive years, and was chosen Speaker of the Assembly in 1824. He was subsequently appointed agent of the State Prison at Auburn, in which posi- tion he died in 1828.

Henry Whitcomb came to Adams in 1804. . He was a jeweller of great ingenuity, and few people in the vicinity cared to purchase a timepiece that had not been approved by Henry Whitcomb. He was exact to a moment in his calculation of time, and for many years he regulated the time of the Rome and Watertown Railroad with great precision. He married Miss Clarinda Holley, and resided in Adams over sixty years. He died in Detroit in 1886. This lady was an aunt of Miss Holley, the authoress.

The Blackstone brothers, Manning and Andrew, came to Adams in its early days. They were industrious and energetic citizens. Manning died in 1834, but Andrew lived to old age. He was a quaint character and a favorite in the community where he spent his long life. He, with the wife of his youth, lived to celebrate their golden wedding in 1887.

During the war of 1812, the settlers suffered much from fear of depredations from Can- adian Indians, and at one time it was reported that the Indians had landed at the mouth of Stony Creek, and great fears of a massacre were entertained; but the report proved false, and they remained unmolested. A military company called "Silver Grays," composed of men not liable to military duty, and mostly Revolutionary soldiers, was formed in town, and, led by Captain Lyman Denning, march- ed to the defence of Sackets Harbor. Near the close of the war the militia was called out. The call included many citizens from Adams, but before they reached Sackets Harbor they were met by a messenger who informed them that their services were not needed. Soon after, peace was declared. In 1853 those who survived received land war- rants for this single day's service.

Judge Thomas C. Chittenden was an early resident of Adams. He became a prominent member of the bar of Jefferson county, and practiced his profession many years. He was elected to Congress in 1840, and later was appointed Judge of Jefferson county. In 1844 he removed to Watertown, where he resided until his death, in 1868.

Peter Doxtater came to Adams from the German Flats, in 1800. He cleared a farm about a mile from where the village now stands. He was the father of three sons and one daughter, whose names were George, William, Peter and Elizabeth. George suc- ceeded to the paternal farm. William be- came a successful merchant in Adams village, and was the father of Robert B. Doxtater, the first superintendent of the Rome & Water- town Railroad. Peter, the youngest son, spent most of his life in Adams, where he

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 82

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