Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 97

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 97

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In addition to the management of his ex- tensive land property, Mr. Copley dealt in lumber, grain, stone from the quarries, managed a store, engaged in vessel-building, and was a bank director. He served his town as supervisor in 1843-48-51, but was always averse to political life or official position, yet he was a true patriot and ardent sup- porter of the government in its days of greatest peril.

By his indomitable energy and persever- ance, by remarkable industry and economy, coupled with correct habits of life, he filled a conspicuous place in the highest business circles of Jefferson county, and accumu- lated a large estate. Like all land-holders, he was brought in contact in his deals with every variety of character. With men of

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

good habits, honest and industrious, yet un- able to meet contracts, he was always lenient, and not a few have been lifted over the hard places in life's struggle by his help- ing hand. He avoided not merely those vicious habits, which prove the ruin of so many young men, but also those places of resort and those little useless expenditures that levy a constant tax on daily earnings, and prevent so many from rising above con- ditions of actual poverty. If the young men of this day would heed his example in these respects, it would greatly enhance their use- fulness, happiness and prosperity in life. He was abstemious in his habits, and a warm friend of the cause of temperance, especially in his late years. He was not without inter- est in the cause of education and religion, and made some generous benefactions for their support. He was a frequent reader of Shakespeare, and also of the Bible, and a believer in its precepts. Though he made no public profession of his faith in Christ, yet to the ear of his confidential friends he spoke of his dependence upon His grace, and

his love for His person and character. Mr. Copley died in the maturity of his powers, at the age of 65 years.

The National Union Bank, of Watertown, of which Mr. Copley was a director, passed the following resolution on February 6, 1871:

Whereas, Alexander Copley, one of the directors of this Bank, and one of the foremost citizens of our county, has, in the maturity of his manhood and in the midst of his usefulness, been suddenly removed by death, therefore

Resolved, That in the death of Alexander Copley we have lost a valued associate and friend-this in- stitution has lost one of its ablest and safest officers and advisors, and the community in which he lived a useful, high-minded and honorable man. whose place in society and business will not be readily filled.

Mr. Copley left four sons: Hiram, who married Mary Enos, of Depauville, in 1858. Mrs. H. Copley is a sister of Col. W. W. Enos, of Chaumont. De Witt Copley married Miss Rosalinda Klock, of Chaumont, in 1859. Alexander Copley, Jr., married Eva Shepard, in 1863. She died in 1873. He was married again in 1874 to Miss Lettie Shepard. Eugene Copley married Harriet B. Sumner, of Oswego, in 1872. He died in 1889.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

S. G. WIGGINS has been a prominent resi- dent of the village of Antwerp for 43 years. He was born in Vermont, in the city of Montpelier, August 21, 1824, and was mar- ried at Watertown, N. Y., June 23, 1852, to the only daughter of Colonel William Gill, of Antwerp. His father, Colonel Joseph Wiggins, a man of worth, was the youngest of 11 children, all but one living from four score years to 99. His mother, Abigail Walton, was his father's second wife, and a direct descendant of George Walton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence.

S. G. Wiggins did a successful clothing and boot and shoe business in Antwerp for many years, and afterward engaged in farm- ing. He was one of the pioncer workers in the organization of the Grange in this town and county, having been Master of Antwerp Grange No. 19, four years in succession, and secretary of Jefferson County Grange 10 years. Mr. Wiggins became a member of Jefferson Union Lodge, I. O. O. F, Water town, in 1848; is a Past Grand of Antwerp lodge; a Patriarch in Montezuma Encamp- ment, Watertown; a Chevalicr of Canton Ridgley, and a member of the Grand Lodge of the State, of the same order.

In politics Mr. Wiggins has always had the courage of his convictions. For many years he was a Democrat, but has latterly been a Republican.

Five children resulted from this marriage, all of whom are living except one daughter and one son. His son, J. G. Walton Wig- gins, is superintendent of the Antwerp Excelsior Mill. Mrs. Dr. I. H. Abell, of Antwerp, is his only surviving sister, and a

brother, George W. Wiggins, an esteemed citizen of Watertown, is living. Mrs. Wiggins died in 1881.

JOHN R. STERLING, son of Daniel, was born in Connecticut, May 20, 1802, and when five years of age came with his parents to Antwerp and located at Sterling Corners. The land upon which Danicl Sterling settled has ever since been owned by some member of the family.

DANIEL S. BETHEL was for many years an estecmed resident of Antwerp. He was born in 1815 on the farm on the Somerville road, now occupied by his son, W. D. Bethel. At his death he was undoubtedly the oldest native-born citizen of Antwerp. He dicd in the fall of 1894.

His father, John Bethel, settled here when this section was a wilderness, receiv- ing in 1806 the second real estate deed granted in this town. The hardy and in- dustrious pioneer cleared a small piece of land, and soon made the preliminary steps towards converting the virgin forest into a fine farm. On this farm Daniel S. Bethel was born, spending his boyhood days and early manhood, then became its owner, and there resided continuously until seven years ago, when he erected his pleasant home on Mechanic street, and removed to this village, leaving the old and much-cherished farm in charge of his son.

Forty-nine years ago he was united in marriage with Miss Esther H. Rounds, a native of Vermont, and the union was blessed by the birth of several children, five of whom, together with the beloved wife of nearly half a century, survive him, and were present at his bedside during his last hours.

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Mr. Bethel was a man of strong convic- tions, a great reader and thinker, and his counsel and advice on many matters of private and public importance were often sought and highly appreciated by his neigh- bors and friends.

JOSEPH and ISAAC HINSDALE, brothers, came from England to America as early as 1724. Ira Hinsdale, a descendant of one of the brothers, and grandfather of Ira C., was born in Antwerp, November 11, 1819. He married Harriet A. Hamlin, of Ox-Bow vil- lage, and they had three children, namely, Ira C., Florence L. and George J. Ira C. was born in Antwerp, December 26, 1844. When he was 13 years of age his father died, and his early life was occupied with work on the farm summers, and attendance at the district school winters. September 4, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army, and was dis- charged as second lieutenant, at the close of the war. February 15, 1870, he married Margaret F. Seymour, of Antwerp, and they have a son, Roy S. Mr. Hinsdale is a successful general merchant at Antwerp village. He was formerly located at the Ox-Bow.

ANSEL CLARKE, JR., was born in Rutland, January 14, 1822, and when six weeks old came with his father to Antwerp. Septem- ber 5, 1842, he married Hannah Otis, of Ant- werp, and they have five children, two of whom, Linda A. and Jerome, 2d., are living. The latter married Cora I., daughter of Amos Fuller, of Onondaga county, and they have two children, Lindon Logan and Edith May.

EZRA S. BEAMAN was born February 23, 1845. He received an academic education, and is a graduate of the Poughkeepsie Com- mercial College. He married, first, Decem- ber 30, 1867, Maggie Farley, of Wilna, who died January 1, 1875. February 23, 1886, he married Elizabeth A., widow of Oliver Mack.

LEVI CHASE was born in Portland, Maine, February 22, 1808, and when 14 years of age came to this county. In 1838 he married Harriet Shurtliff, of LeRay, and they have three sons and two daughters. Clinton A., the subject of this sketch, is an adopted son, and was born March 26, 1863. He received a common-school education, and is now engaged in farming. November 15, 1888, he married May M., only daughter of John G. Miller, of Theresa, and now resides in Ant- werp.

ELBERT C. WILLARD was born in Ant- werp, October 11, 1833. He received a good education, and is now engaged in farming and breeding horses. March 11, 1865, he married Anna, daughter of George Cornwell, and they have two sons and two daughters: Charles H., Muriel A., John C. and Eleanor E. September 25, 1872, Henry E. Willard married Eleanor, fourth daughter of George Cornwell.

RUFUS S. MAXON was born in Houndsfield about 1829, where he married Azelia War- ren, who bore him five children, three of

whom survive, namely : Frank E., Minnie L. and Bennie M. Frank E. Maxon was born in Houndsfield, January 20, 1863,. He received a common-schol education, with two years at Potsdam Normal School. In March, 1887, he married Anna M., daughter of John Graham, of Sackets Harbor, and was the station agent for the R., W. & O. Railroad at Antwerp.

JACOB S. COLE was born in this county, where he attended the common schools until he attained the age of 15 years. He married, in 1875, Ellen F., daughter of Peter A. Nellis, of Otsego county, and they have a son, Fred S. In 1862 Mr. Cole enlisted in the Union army and served to the close of the war. His great-grandfather, Henry Lyon (or Lines), was a Revolutionary soldier. Andrew McFee, father of Mrs. Jacob W. Cole, was captured by the Indians and taken to Canada, and was adopted by a chief of the tribe and remained two years.

ROBERT DICKSON, 2D, is a farmer by occu- pation. November 6, 1867, he married Adelia E., daughter of James C. Lynde, and they have three children, James R., Anna E. and Milton L. John Dickson, 2d, is also a farmer, and is located on road 32, in the town. March 4, 1879, he married Lucy A., third daughter of George Ormiston, of Ox- Bow village, and they have two children, John C. and Helen E.

GEORGE W. CORNWELL was born in Brownville, September 11, 1805. In 1830 he married Polly, third daughter of James Shurtleff, of Theresa, and was one of the pioneers of that town. They had five sons and five daughters, namely : Melvin E., Philinda, George, John F., Mary, James S., Isaac, Anna, Eleanor and Sarah. Isaac died in 1865, while serving in the navy during the late war. Mary married James Casey, of Theresa, and died in 1886. John F. Cornwell was born in Theresa, February 22, 1837. He was educated in the common schools and an academy, and is now engaged in farming and horse breeding. In 1863 he married Lois A., only daughter of Clark Willard, and they have a daughter, Mary E., who married Frank O. Eddy, of Theresa.

WILLIAM A. HOUGHTON, son of William, was born on the homestead November 12, 1863. He received a common school and academic education, and graduated from Eastman's Commercial College, at Pough- keepsie. He taught school several terms, and is now a bookkeeper and clerk. In 1888 he married Alice, eldest daughter of Samuel E. Wicks, of this town, and they have one son, Charles W., not now at Antwerp.

JOHN MARSH came to Antwerp when six years of age, and has lived in the town con- tinuously until 1894. He was born in New Fane, Vt., in 1830, and is the son of Hiram and Lucinda (Seaver) Marsh. Their family are : Mary (Mrs. J. R. Welch, of Antwerp), Abigail (Mrs. W. C. Waite, deceased), John, a jeweler and optician, of Antwerp, and the subject of this sketch; Hiram F., of Gouver-

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neur; Lucinda D., deceased, (wife of J. S. Dwyer, Commander of Oliver McAllaster Post); Cassius, a boot and shoe merchant, of Antwerp; James M., of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county ; Anna (Mrs. T. C. Gray, of Antwerp); Ettie J., who resides in Ant- werp. Mr. Marsh is a highly-respected citizen, and acted at one time as president of the village of Antwerp. He is a member of the Congregational Church.

ARCHIBALD LORD HILTON may be con- sidered one of the representative business men of Antwerp. In 1874 he became identi- fied with the Jefferson Iron Company, as its assistant manager. He is president of the Antwerp Chair Company, which was in- corporated in May, 1894. Their fine new building is near completion, and promises to be the chief manufactory of the village. While diligent in the pursuit of his own private business, Mr. Hilton is ever mindful of the general interests of the public and the growth and prosperity of the town. He is the son of Archibald Hilton, who was born in 1819, and married Miss Josephine Lord, daughter of a retired merchant of New York city. Archibald Hilton was admitted to the bar in 1841, and early won distinction in his profession, becoming a prominent lawyer in New York city. He was the brother of ex- Judge Henry Hilton, also of that city, and died April 1, 1854, leaving two children, Archibald L., the subject of this sketch, and Emily J., now Mrs. Alvin W. Green, of South Manchester, Conn. Archibald L. was born in New York city, February 5, 1850, where he passed his minority. He was mar- ried in 1880 to Mary Abbie, daughter of the late Dr. Ira H. Abell, of Antwerp. They have one daughter, Isabel Abell. For the past 20 years he has been a warden in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of Antwerp, and superintendent of the Sunday school, and has the respect and confidence of the entire com- munity-a progressive, enterprising man.

CHARLES W. HALL, a prosperous furni- ture dealer of Antwerp, was born in Somer- ville, St. Lawrence county, in 1844, and is the son of Hiram and Letina (Goodnough) Hall. Hiram was a mechanic, and came from Vermont to Antwerp at an early date. He died in 1880, but his wife still survives him, and resides with her son, Gaylord W. Hall, of Antwerp. Charles W. came to Ant- werp in 1870, and married Hattie Wallace, daughter of Charles R. Wallace, of Belle- ville, N. Y. They have one daughter, Lena Belle.

DAVID BEAMAN, one of the early settlers of the town of Antwerp, was born in West- minster, Mass., in 1796. He was the son of Joseph and Annis Beaman. The latter was left a widow with 11 children. David, being next to the eldest, was put out to learn the hatter's trade. In 1818, when but 22 years of age, he came to Antwerp with a small stock of fine felt and gentlemen's silk hats, and three $10 bills. Finding no de- mand for such expensive head dressing, he

turned his attention to the principal industry at that time-the clearing of land. He hired out to Mr. Copeland, who conducted an hotel on the site of the present Proctor House, for $10 per month, and thus paid for the farm, which he purchased of David Parish. After taking possession of the farm, on which was a log house, he sent for his mother and younger children. David Bea- man married Miss Lucy Porter, and they had three children. His second wife was Miss Sally Mosher, and their children are, Alonzo Beaman, of Kansas, and Alice and Annis (twins), who reside with their mother in Antwerp. David Beaman died in 1883, aged 86 years. He was a successful farmer, and followed that occupation until his death, with the exception of a few years in Water- town.

GAYLORD W. HALL was born in 1851, and married Miss Martha Hunt, of Rodman, and have two children. He is the clerk of the town of Antwerp, which office he has held for four consecutive terms; also one of the directors of the Antwerp Chair Company. He, in partnership with his brother, Charles W. Hall, conduct a first-class furniture store, carrying the best goods in that line.

RICHARD S. HODGE was born in England, of English parentage. He came to America in 1862 and engaged in the Quincy, Franklin and Pewabic mines, in the Superior copper region, where he remained eight years. About 23 years since he came to Antwerp, and was manager of the Jefferson Iron Mines, near Antwerp, which have been dis- continued. The stock company at one time employed 150 men, and the mines have been worked to the depth of 150 feet, and extend for acres under ground. They are located in a swamp, and are at the present time flooded with water. The last pumping was done in March, 1893.

From having charge of so many men, Mr. Hodge received the title of "Captain." He was married to Emily Freegans, of England. They have four sons living, having lost two daughters and one son. They have a house in Antwerp, where they reside. Mr. Hodge is a gentleman of intelligence and integrity, retaining the obliging courteous manner so noticeable in many of the old country people, which some American-born citizens would do well to imitate.

ALONZO CHAPIN, one of the very oldest in- habitants of Antwerp, and 67 years a resi- dent of the village, was born in that town in 1823 ; the son of Japhet and Betsey (Sprague) Chapin, who came into the town in 1816, settling on the farm now owned by A. and Eli Moshier. They reared nine children. Alonzo, one of them, had the benefits of a common school education, completing his scholarship at the Gouverneur Academy. After leaving school he taught for several years, and then began a clerkship with Alanson Drake, in Antwerp, and with John N. Green. This continued for three years, when he purchased the stock of goods of

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James H. Bowen, and began business for himself in 1848. From that time to 1894 he has continued in trade, a period of 47 years. In 1850 he married Miss Maria Wiser, daughter of Stephen Wiser, of Deerfield, Oneida county. They have reared two daughters, Miss Adelle, having married Charles G. Banister, of Watertown; Miss Cora remaining unmarried. Mr. Chapin has held the office of supervisor and town clerk. He was postmaster for 12 years, his first ap- pointment being made under the administra- tion of President Taylor. He has always been a very reliable and thorough business man, and has maintained through a long life a most enviable reputation for fair dealing. He is one of the products of the early settlers of Jefferson county, and his ancestors have no occasion to be ashamed of their repre- sentative.

JOSIS MILLER was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1828, and is the son of John and Ursula Miller, and one of 10 children. He learned the shoemakers' trade in Ger- many, and came to Antwerp in 1853, where he built a frame house, and opened a boot and shoe store and manufactory, which busi- ness he conducted for 22 years. He was also connected with G. N. Crosby, in tanning, for 12 years. He is the president of the Cemetery Association, and is the present postmaster, having been appointed under the Harrison administration ; he was one of the trustees of the Antwerp Liberal Institute, and held all the minor offices within the gift of the corporation. He married Dorothea Winkler, of Switzerland, and they have reared six children: Louise (wife of Dr. G. H. Lathan, a dentist of Antwerp). Charles W, Miller, assistant-postmaster at Antwerp, who married Sarah Thayer, of St. Lawrence county ; Theodore Miller, of Omaha, Neb .; Adelaide, recently teacher in a school at Yonkers ; Albert G., bookkeeper for A. L. Hilton, of Antwerp, and Emma Irene, who resides with her parents. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and an honored and respected citizen, which fact is shown by the different positions of trust he has from time to time filled.

JOHN HOWE CONKLIN was born in Remsen, N. Y., in 1812, and was the son of Luther and Hannah (Howe) Conklin, by his second wife. Their other children were Luther S., Miriam, Ruth, Hannah, Calvin, Stephen, Lucretia and Elizabeth, all deceased. John was married, in 1841, to Sarah Northrup, of Antwerp, who died in 1858, aged 35 years. Their son, Luther G., died in 1865, aged 22 years. In 1865 John married Maria White, daughter of James White, of Antwerp. Their children are Emma W., the only sur- viving member of the family, who resides on the homestead in Antwerp; James W. and John H. Conklin, Jr. John H. Conklin, the subject of this sketch, was a prominent citizen of Antwerp, and was supervisor of the town for 10 years (from 1855 to 1864), and at one time warden of Auburn State

Prison. He died February 11, 1875, aged 63 years, respected and honored by his neigh- bors and a vast number of friends.

J. S. WOODWARD was born in the town of Antwerp, in the year 1839, the son of Allen and Susan Woodward. He enlisted under the first call in the spring of 1861, in Com- pany C, 35th N. Y. Volunteers. Mustered with the regiment, and mustered out with it. Married April 26, 1866, to Tinnie L., young- est daughter of Silas and Eliza Bacon, of Watertown. They have reared two chil- dren, a daughter and a son. He is now living, and has been for the past 40 years, on what is known as the Fuller road, in the town of Antwerp. His occupation is that of a farmer

AMONG the earliest settlers of Antwerp was Elliott Lynde, born at Brookfield, Mass., October 28, 1772. His father was Lieutenant Benjamin Lynde, of the Revolutionary army. Elliott Lynde came to Antwerp in the year 1811. He carried the mail from Denmark to Ogdensburg during the War of 1812; was afterwards justice of the peace for six years, and during his service he married more people than any other justice or minister in that length of time, for the reason that he always made it a practice to give the mar- riage fee back to the bride. The old Lynde mansion in Melrose, Mass., is one of the most remarkable of the few scattered relics of American antiquities of over 200 years ago. This remnant of the earliest settlement of New England, was built more than a hundred years before Washington was born. An appeal was made to the Massachusetts Historical Society to save this place by pur- chasing it as a venerable relic. Elliott Lynde's family consisted of 12 children, 11 being boys and one girl. She became Mrs. Martha Lynde Payne, a life-long resident of Antwerp.

AARON B. LYNDE, the only survivor of that large family, was born February 26, 1817, he being the 10th son. His occupation has been farming and dealing in real estate. He has sold more land in Antwerp for $100 per acre, than has ever been sold in that place at that price. His present residence is on Main street, and is one of the most com- modious in town. It is opposite the house where he was born. His wife, Ann Clark Lynde, was also born in the same house four years later (a singular coincidence); he has no descendants, but adopted a son two years of age.

WILLIAM T. BENTLEY was born in Ant- werp in 1842, and died September 10, 1894, at which time he was a prominent merchant. He married Alice E. Parker, of Theresa, Jefferson county. Their children are Harold, Hazel, Mabel and Brayton, who succeeded his father in business. In early life, William was interested in farming. After the disas- trous fire, in which his store was burned, he was one of four merchants to build the Syndicate Block, an ornament to the busi- ness portion of Antwerp. A progressive

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business man is never so well appreciated as when taken from a community where he has done much to advance its interests and pro- mote its prosperity. Mr. Bentley has done much for Antwerp, and his memory is respected in the town in which he lived.

GEORGE P. COOLIDGE was born in the town of Antwerp, and is the son of Charles and Abi (Kirkbride) Coolidge, and one of six children. He was left motherless when three weeks old, and was adopted by his uncle, Alvin Coolidge, who resided with him until his latter days, and died January 3, 1893, at the advanced age of 84. The Coolidge family were early settlers, having followed marked trees, making clearings and establish- ing homes between Antwerp and Philadel- phia, which is now called the Coolidge Settlement. Alfred, an elder brother of Charles, came first, and the next year, 1816, the father, Daniel, and the other sons, Charles, Nathan, Daniel and Alvin. There were also five sisters; Betsey, Eunice, Sally, Sylvia and Harriet. The father of Daniel the elder was present at the throwing of tea into Boston Harbor, the account of which is famous in history. The modern historian can but in a small measure depict the hero- ism of our forefathers, the determination re- quired, and privations incidental to seeking a new country and establishing homes in an unbroken forest. The present generation are, perhaps thoughtlessly, receiving the inherit- ance of an advanced civilization, the founda- tion of which was thus established, and in turn are pressing forward to the fulfilment of their own ambitions. George Coolidge is now the possessor of the homestcad of his grandfather, the Coolidge block, and several residences in the village of Antwerp. He married Miss Angeline, daughter of Elijah Kellogg, of Antwerp, whose grandfather, Elijah Kellogg, was born in Germany, and fought in the American Revolution. George has been interested in the management of his farm and in stock raising, and a resi- dent of the village of Antwerp for several years, filling several minor offices in the cor- poration. He is a successful business man, respected by his neighbors and friends. His children are Brayton J., Lizzic (dcccased), Jay H., Jerome and Libbie.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 97

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