Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 91

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

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Captain Charles Walton. Miss Walton's mother was one of the beautiful Hersey girls, a well-known and much respected family of Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have two children, Eva L. and George-both living at home. Mr. Barker has been president of Alexandria Bay two years, trustee one year, street commissioner four years, and has always been a popular, useful citizen. When he came to the Bay he was accompanied by his mother and her seven children. These Mr. Baker has done his full duty by, aiding his mother in caring for the children who were younger than himself. Perhaps it was his duti- fulness as a son and brother that has com- mended him so thoroughly to public favor.

SAMUEL BENJAMIN MILLER was born in Camden, N. Y., June 22, 1835. At an early age he was left an orphan. He was left precious little else, and as in those days orphan homes were not very plentiful in his immediate neighborhood, for a time it seemed to him that Providence had made a sad mess of it. But he had muscle and grit, which qualities being recognized by a kind neigh- bor, they took him in, assigned him a bed under a crack in the roof, and a narrow place at their table -- for which act of charity the orphan performed the work of a man 365 days in the year. Although thus heavily handi- capped, he attended school, and being an apt pupil, he soon became proficient in the

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"three R's," as well as in declamation and "rough-and-tumble." To this very day he quotes his Ruger with a degree of assurance that commands silent respect.

In 1862, fearing a draft, he enlisted, and went to fight for his country-not to gain rank distinctions, but to uphold the princi- ples of his country. " We will fight it out on this line," he said, as he took his position in the mess-room. And he returned to relate some thrilling single-handed engagements he had while out drawing rations.

In business, he has always aimed to please -please alike the man who paid cash and he who had it charged. Too many have had it charged. It's a sorry specimen indeed who is denied space on the debit side of his books. Prompt to grant credit, he has rarely refused to accept credit when offered; indeed, he has even been known to ask for time, and if not on time, he has never refused to renew his promise.

He has gained a degree of local popularity; twice he has been called upon to assume the duties of village mayor. Through it all he has been the same congenial, rough-and- ready "Sam "-persistently, if not pains- takingly, putting the worst side out, some- times to the exasperation of his friends.

W. E. M.

JASON CLARK was perhaps more closely identified with the landed interests of Alexan- dria than any other individual away from the river. For many years he was the agent of Woodruff & Stocking, who held large tracts of land in Orleans and Alexandria. purchased at the final closing up of the LeRay estate. Mr. Clark stood very high in the confidence of the people. He was several times super- visor, for many years justice of the peace, and nearly all his life was a prominent citizen and at one time county judge. His later years were clouded by business reverses which were to most of his friends unexpected and in- explicable. He bore himself proudly for many years, to die at last a disappointment to his friends and to himself.

WILLIAM M. THOMSON, of Scotch parent- age, was born in Canada, July 24, 1834. His father being a rebel, emigrated to the United States and settled in Alexandria Bay immedi- ately after the battle at the Windmill, which resulted so disastriously to the Patriots. Re- ceiving a district school education, Mr. Thompson, at the age of 15 years, entered the store of John W. Fuller as clerk, with whom he remained six years. He married Mr. Fuller's daughter in January, 1861, and has always resided in Alexandria Bay. He has been twice elected to the office of town clerk, has served three years as supervisor, 12 years as justice of the peace, and was elected a member of Assembly in 1877 and 1882, having been defeated for that office in 1878 and again in 1883. He is at present engaged in mer- cantile business, and is at present supervisor of the town of Alexandria. He has two sons, graduates from Cornell University. In 1856 he was made a Master Mason; in 1864 he be- came a member of Theresa Royal Arch

Chapter, and in 1866 was made a Knight Templar. He is a member of the Jefferson- ian Club, a political organization of Water- town, and a trustee of the Alexandria Bay Young Men's Library Association.

WILLIAM EDWARD MILLER is one of the young citizens of Alexandria Bay, the son of Samuel Benjamin Miller, whose unique biog- raphy appears on page 419. He is a suc- cessful writer, but is so very modest and so entirely indifferent to the world's praise or blame that he is about one of the last persons to get acquainted with by a sojourner at Alexan- dria Bay. Were it not for the kindness of Hon. Andrew Cornwall, the author of this History would never have formed the acquaint- ance of Mr. Miller. He was born in Plessis in 1859, only six miles from that distinguished town where the celebrated Flower family re- sided, and where our own beloved Roswell P. was born. Young Miller, in 1873, accom- panied his father to Alexandria Bay, having previously attended a school at Plessis, where he is remembered as being very retired in disposition and "odd" in manner, but he developed a ready facility in acquiring any learning that related to language or literature. Mathematics he persistently eschewed. At Alexandria Bay he also attended school, some times falling asleep under the very nose of the teacher, but he was wide awake at night when he had some favorite novel to read in his room.

In talking with Mr. Miller lately about our personal experience, at home and abroad, after alluding to his going to sleep in school, he thus pleasantly dwelt upon those school days, when his mind, like other boys, was in its chrysalis state: "I say I slept in school. This is not true; I hovered on the border line -I was neither awake nor asleep-though on one occasion, at least, I really slept in school. How vividly I recall the occasion- the awakening! The teacher personally super- intended the waking. She asked me why I slept. I was tempted to tell her I had been up the night before studying my lesson-which would have constituted a lie. I dared not tell the truth, and I could not (at that time) tell a lie-that is, lying was a moral impossibility. I made no reply. Taking my silence for obsti- nacy, she threatened to trounce me if I de- layed offering a good excuse for sleeping in school. So near as I recall circumstances, I took a trouncing, administered effeminately, tremulously, gently. Having grown older and bolder, I may now confess that on the night before I had retreated to a novel as usual, and reveled there until a stillness had settled over the house that was broken only by the click of the clock and the revels of mice. The crowing of a neighboring cock called me out of my book. I got up and laid it aside, but in doing so my attention was called to another book-or, more correctly, a pamphlet, which I had gained possession of that day, laid aside and forgotten. I picked it up, and while I yawned, opened its pages at random. It contained a few illustrations, one of which depicted two pale, emaciated

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beings, clothed in rags, in the act of catching frogs ;- not with rod, line and hook, tempt- ingly baited with red flannel; but, after the style of primitive man, they were using their hands only. I saw at once that these men were either desperately placed or were un- skilled in the art of frogging. I became wakeful, interested; I turned to the title page. The pamphlet recounted an adventure- thrilling adventure-of an aeronaut named LaMountain, accompanied by one John A. Haddock. Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, I read that pamphlet through, from cover to cover, returning to civilization just in time for breakfast. I had read " Robinson Crusoe," and I have since accompanied Jules Verne on his perilous flight to that Mysterious Island in an unknown sea, and was his con- stant companion Five Weeks in a Balloon, but there is wanting in these products of the imagination the flavor of reality which ren- dered the Haddock and LaMountain adven- ture so fascinating. It was thrilling, and yet I wanted those two adventurers carried farther -not much short of the North Pole; and how I did wish they had had more sand-not "grit," but sand-to throw out; I even hoped that the one would throw the other out into some soft tree-top and go sailing up and away, thereby making their return more complicated, giving greater variety to the ad- venture. And the frogs were not lively enough; they were too easily captured; I suspected they had been "loaded." And how I did want that man Haddock dropped among a band of fierce Indians and scalped for his temerity-I didn't want him to lose all of his scalp, but just enough to make him contented to remain at home among civilized people. I have often wondered what became of those adventurers; living, if the spirit of adventure in them were quelled, or if still rampant. I have always wanted to thank them for the exquisite pleasure they unwit- tingly afforded me,-but it must now be too late; they cannot live, as they had their ad- venture so long, long ago-before I was born, and I am-growing bald."

But to get back, after progressing from one degree of learning to another, he was a ma- triculate at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of the city of New York. But that was only a part of his education, for he had learned to see and think and write for him- self, and when a young man has reached that point his friends may conclude that he is upon a road that will lead to fame or mediocrity.

Mediocrity was not in Mr. Miller's vocabu- lary, for he has written many beautiful things. The love of literature inspired a love of travel. Young Miller has seen all the leading countries of the world. Like Bayard Taylor, he crossed the Alps afoot, lingering amid the glorious foothills of Italy, and becoming familiar with that land which grew up from the she-wolf's suckled infants. He traversed Syria, saw Jerusalem and Damascus and swam the Jordan. He was an omniverous, observant and cool-headed travel- ler, and has since been able to depict in words

the scenes he saw abroad and sees at home. His writings bear evidence of an educated mind, and he has the bearings and character- istics of a cultivated gentleman. Some of his articles, when sent to the magazines have, like the household cat, returned. Ralph Waldo Emerson writes that that was precisely his experience when he was unknown to fame. Mr. Miller has never written an article over his own name, choosing seclusion rather than notoriety, and the peace which comes with contentment-using his literary ability as a means and not as an end. Being unmarried, he has a free foot. Alexandria Bay may be proud of a young author of established liter- ary ability. The writer of this History regards him as the most promising young writer of his acquaintance.

SOLOMON MAKEPEACE, one of the early pio- neers of Jefferson county, died at his resi- dence in Alexandria, January 24, 1869, in his 87th year. He came into Jefferson county in 1804, from Worcester, Mass., in the company of his parents, settling in Brownville, where he married and reared a large family. He was a sincere Christian, a type of the better class of emigrants to the Black River country, who " first explored, through perils manifold, the shores and mountains, the valleys and plains of this new land; who levelled forests, cleared fields, made paths by land and water and planted commonwealths."

LEONARD BICKELHAUPT, farmer, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. He came into Alexandria in 1853, with his parents. He lives on the first place his father bought in this county. At the age of 23 he was married to Miss Susan Betz. Their family consists of Maggie, (wife of Adam Hofferberth); Henry, (husband of Catherine Hofferberth); Eliza- beth, (wife of Henry Haas); Emma (wife of Philip Hofferberth); Rosetta (wife of John Stein); Mary, Adam and Leonard remain with their parents. By steady industry and careful management Mr. Bickelhaupt has become the possessor of two of the finest farms in the town of Alexandria, comprising 450 acres. The family are all communicants of the Lutheran Church, and are highly respected by all with whom they are ac- quainted.

LEVI A. BUTTERFIELD, 69 years of age, un- married (retired farmer), was born in Ant- werp, Jefferson county. His father was Francis Butterfield, who married Polly Mc- Allaster in 1817. His early youth and man- hood were spent in such employment in the store and counting-room and on the farmer as developed the fair minded mnan, and wherever engaged, he became popular for those traits that mark the earnest worker for the better- ing of mankind. When the Civil War got " settled down to business," Levi enlisted as a private in Company F, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was immediately advanced to a 2d lieutenant. With that company he re- mained about a year. The impression that the 10th would remain at or near Washington during its entire service, caused no little rest- lessness among the men as well as officers,

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and because of such opinion Levi resigned. No officer in the company was more esteemed than Lieut. Butterfield. At the close of the war he engaged in farming near Omaha, Nebraska, where he continued until eight years ago. In then returning to Jefferson county, he has made his home in Alexandria continuous, excepting the time spent in travelling throughout the Northern and Cen- tral States.

JACOB ZOLLER, born in the town of Alex- andria, February 15, 1857, has had a life full of adventure, yet he retains all the character- istic traits of his father's family-they are genial, generous, whole-souled people. They settled in Jefferson county 66 years ago, coming to Alexandria from Pamelia. The father's farm was near the St. Lawrence, at the head of Goose Bay. The history of events transpiring on this bay are related on a previous page. Very many of these events Jacob readily recalls to mind. The get-rich- quick spirit broke out in him nine years ago, when he shouldered his belongings and went to Arizona and New Mexico. Before return- ing to Jefferson county he visited very many of the Western States and Territories, gather- ing a vast fund of information. He was mar- ried in 1880 to Marion Jewett, daughter of Hon. M. C. Jewett, once a representative man of Alexandria. Guy and Glen, their children, are home-children as yet. Mr. Zoller has been engaged in the hotel business nearly seven years, coming to Redwood three years ago with Mr. Cornelius Springer, buying the lease of the old Dollinger Hotel, and by zealous attention to duty, and having an cx- tended acquaintance, has increased the pat- ronage of the house to the extent that the pro- prietors have added to the already com- modious house another story, making 16 large rooms, and put in a hot-water heating arrangement second to none in use. Mr. Zoller is a Republican in politics.

MARCUS J. JEWETT, was born April 21, 1855, at the old homestead, about a mile and a-half north of Redwood, built by Hon. M. C. Jewett, his father. In 1846 M. C. Jewett and wife came from Vermont, bought the Chaffey farm, then mostly a wilderness, and commenced their new life in a very comfort- able log house, in which many a belated traveller found rest and refreshment; the road from Jewett's Corners being somewhat danger- ous over the crossway, and it was many miles to go around. M. C. Jewett was Master of Alexandria Masonic Lodge No. 297 for many years; and he advanced to the Theresa Chap- ter in due time. M. J. Jewett retains the old farm, and is following in the steps of his re- spected father, whose life was blameless. Moses C. Jewett was member of Assembly in 1859-60.

The early life of Mr. J. developed an accu- rate knowledge of the fur-bearing animals of the Northern forest, and he receives consign- ments of furs from all sections of Canada and the United States. He married Libbie M. Markley, September 10, 1879. To these parents have been born five children, Frank

G., Morris H., Ina C., Carl J. and Ray L., all of whom are at home with their parents, a much-respected family.

JOSEPH PICKERT was born in the town of Harrisburg, Lewis county, New York, in 1822. He settled in the town of Hammond in 1838, was married, in 1844, to Samantha Franklin, of the latter town. To these pa- rents were born seven children, four of whom are yet living. Abel, farmer and mechanic, residence, Hammond; Viola, wife of Martin Ripley ; Manuel, a mechanic; Gertrude, wife of Wells Dygert, of Clayton. Pickert lost his first wife in 1875. A few years thereafter he removed to Redwood, leaving his farms in the town of Hammond to be worked by his sons Abel and Manuel. For his second wife he married, in 1879, Mrs. Ann LaFavre, widow of Joseph LaFavre. Mr. Pickert is one of the landmarks of this northern country; ever, by his example, teaching industry, sobriety and contentment, with a gradual accumulation of a competency to satisfy all of his needful wants.

NELSON R. COOK was born in the town of Alexandria, in 1821, his parents having found their way through the almost trackless wilder- ness some years before. With the exception of about a year in the West, Nelson R. con- tinued to reside in the towns of Theresa and Alexandria. His early life was spent on the farm. In 1854 he was married to Miss Lydia Ann Marshall, daughter of Romeo Marshall, one of the earliest settlers of Alexandria. Mr. Cook thought to better his worldly condition by removing west with his family some 20 years ago; not finding the expected benefits, he returned to Redwood, where he has since resided. Purchasing the saw mills in Red- wood, he with Mr. Levi Suits, converted the upper mill into a planing, sash and blind mill, keeping the lower one in good repair as a custom saw mill, and also for manufactur- ing shingles. Mr. Cook is also engaged in the flour and grist mill business at Dexter. The children are Misses Helen L., Ada L. and Harris V., John M., Benton M. and Clarence N. With one exception, these are all living in Redwood, and have contributed much to the happiness of that community, the young ladies in church music, and the young men in organizing and keeping up one of the best cornet bands in the county.

MICHAEL W. FARLEY was born in Plain- field, New Hampshire, May 22, 1850. When two years of age his parents moved to Granby, province of Quebec, where his father now re- sides. Up to the age of 17 he remained with his parents on the farm. A desire to know more of the world took possession of him, and becoming fascinated with railroad busi- ness, he engaged with the Central Vermont Railroad Company at St. Albans, Vt., and re- mained with them 20 years, filling many im- portant positions. Thence he went to Syra- cuse, engaging with the West Shore Company, where he remained until he came to Redwood in May, 1891. He married Miss Mary A. Clark in 1873, at St. Albans, Vt. Mr. F.'s living children are Cora M., now engaged as

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assistant teacher in the Redwood graded School; Ada A. and Edna C. are yet pupils. Mr. Farley took possession of the hotel in Redwood, known as the American, in May, 1891. He has made various changes therein, adding to the many pleasant and homelike rooms, thus making it one of the most com- fortable hotels on the border for a week's stay or for a permanent home.

DR. MARTIN J. HUTCHINS was born Novem- ber 7, 1825, in Schuyler, Herkimer county, N. Y. He was educated at the common and select schools, and read medicine with Drs. Davison & Brewster, of Theresa, with whom he continued three years, attending medical lectures at Castleton Medical College, of Ver- mont; and in May, 1846, he commenced the practice of his profession at Plessis; remaining there until 1853. In May, 1846, he was granted a license to practice by the Jefferson County Medical Society, and in 1852 he re- ceived an honorary diploma from the Burling- ton Medical College. Being a pronounced Democrat and party leader, he received the appointment of custom house inspector in June, 1853, and removed to Alexandria Bay, where he assumed the responsibility of that position, the duties of which he continued to exercise with satisfaction to the "powers that be," as he held the office under both Presi- dents Pierce and Buchanan until 1861, in all eight years. He then settled at Redwood and resumed the active practice of his profession, where he has continued up to the present time, having practiced for 44 years in the town of Alexandria. He is still hale and hearty, and we trust he may yet be spared for many years. He is an example to the younger members of the profession, as one who has lived and toiled to elevate the standard of medical practice. He has always been con- sidered one of the most active and useful members of the county society, and has con- tributed many papers to its archives. He was elected county superintendent of the poor, serving three years, and has held many posi- tions of honor and usefulness in his town, and as a representative of the re-organized Jefferson County Medical Society. He was president of that Society in 1873, and at the close of his official term delivered an interest- ing lecture upon " Medical Etiquette," which elicited much praise and extended comment. The Doctor has two talented sons, the eldest of whom, Martin J., Jr., was educated at Hamilton College, and has chosen journalism as his life-work. The younger, Frank F., re- ceived his professional education at the New York Medical University, and is now in active practice.

LEWIS CASS WATSON, son of Alonzo M. Watson, was born June 14, 1836, at Water- town. His father, Alonzo M. Watson, was a student with John Clark at the time James F. Starbuck, Levi Brown, L. Ingalls, L. J. Dor- win, John A. Haddock and others, were stu- dents in Watertown. Samuel Watson, the father of Alonzo M., was one of four brothers who came to Jefferson county at an early day. Samuel Watson kept an hotel on the

Pamelia side of the river in Watertown for many years, removing from Watertown to Cape Vincent, where he died at a good old age. Alonzo M. Watson became a convert to Fourierism in the forties, and attempted to prove the social problem at Cold Creek, two miles east of Watertown. A year's trial

proved a failure. From Cold Creek he went to Sodus Bay, in Wayne county, to take charge of a society organized on the Fourier plan, remaining there a year; thence he went to Rochester, where, in about two and one- years, he died.

On the death of A. M. Watson, his family returned to Theresa, where Lewis Cass attend- ed the High School, conducted by W. T. Good- nough, O. L. Haddock and one or two Flower boys being his contemporaries. There he commenced the study of medicine with John D. & Nathan Davidson, and when the Civil War broke out he immediately went to the front, and was placed on a transport hospital boat, where he remained until 1863, when he enlisted as hospital steward of the 20th N. Y. Cavalry, with which regiment he remained until the close of the war-in all, about four and a half years of continuous work with the sick and wounded. The clinics of no medical college could present such a variety in surgery or disease.

Before his discharge from the service, he was promoted to lieutenant in the 20th Cavalry. Immediately after his discharge he entered the Medical College at Geneva, whence he graduated. He entered upon the practice of medicine at Alexandria Bay, where, with the exception of one winter (1892-3), he spent in Chicago, he continued to practice medicine until his death, in the fall of 1893. He left a wife and two children.

The author of this History knew the father of Captain Don A. Watson, and the Doctor Watson named above. They sprang from good stock, and have " justified the honors they have gained " in many ways-as patri- otic and able soldiers, as professional men of decided ability, and as high-minded and ex- cellent citizens. In any community they would have come to the front, for they were men who made friends by showing themselves friendly, and have honored their callings by giving to it honest service.

DON ALONZO D. M. WATSON was born at Evans Mills, March 5, 1835. The peculiar name given the subject of our sketch dates back to the 18th century, and within the knowledge of the writer has never loaded down more than three separate individuals. The name seemed to affect them differently- for some of the men who bore it were poor, while others were rich. Two of them died at Rochester, N. Y., including the father of our subject, who departed nearly 45 years ago.

The youngest Don M. (now the old one), spent the most of his early life in Watertown, attending school in the old stone school house at the corner of Jay and Sterling streets. His father had died and left a large family, and the children were deprived of collegiate advantages. But when 20 years of age, Don

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 91

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