USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume I > Part 11
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John Dies Du Bois, second son of John and Janette Dil Bois, was born March 20, 1784, died June 3, 1845. His life was passed on the ancestral heritage at Catskill, devoted en- tirely to his farm. He married Rebecca Overbangh, February 15, 1807. She was born October, 1786, and died March, 1869. Their children were: Lewis, born 1809, died May 23, 1876; Philo, born March 31, 1812; Ann Jennette, born June 29, 1814. married Peter Whitaker; William, born June 6, 1816, died Oct- ober 9, 1834; James Goelet, born July 2, 1818; Addison, born January 24, 1821; Frederick Nelson, horn October 5, 1829.
ArDuBois.
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Frederick Nelson Du Bois, a representative citizen and leading manufacturer of the borough of Manhattan, a man well endowed with rare intellectual attainments, keen discri- ination and business ability of a high order, which, together with his mechanical skill and ingenuity, have made him a lead- ing factor in industrial circles, was born on the old Du Bois homestead at Catskill, Greene county, New York, October 5, 1829.
Mr. Du Bois received his educational training in the schools at Catskill. He remained under the parental roof till the age of sixteen, when he went to Buffalo, New York, and learned the trade of a silversmith with his brother Philo. After thor- onghly acquiring a knowledge of business, in 1854 he went to Chicago with the necessary tools and machinery, and started the manufacture of silverware, the first in that city. He pur- sned it with moderate success until 1862, in which year the Rebellion broke out, and this so damaged his business as to cause him to abandon it. Having previously invented ma- chinery for crushing gold ores, he decided to try the chances of gold mining. In 1862 he proceeded with his wife and two children to the gold mines of Colorado, settling at Black Hawk. Gilpin county, in the Rocky Mountains. Here he prosecuted work on some gold mines which he and his partner had pre- viously acquired, but finding them unproductive, he turned his attention to other business, including the superintending of the mines of the Burroughs Gold Mining Company (a New York organization) until the fall of 1865, when he went to New York and organized a stock company known as the Colorado Ore Reducing Works, his three brothers, of the firm of J. G. Du Bois and Company, being the principal stockholders.
Mr. Du Bois constructed the works of the new company at Black Hawk, Colorado, at an expense of $65,000, and after
154 GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
operating them for nearly a year and reaching a point where they were paying a profit, they were unfortunately destroyed by an accidental fire, resulting in a total loss without insurance. and as no insurance could be obtained in Colorado at that time, it was decided not to rebuild. Mr. Du Bois was the originator of the plan of purchasing the gold ores of the Colorado mines. and extracting the gold by improved scientific methods, a plan which has since been universally adopted.
After the destruction of his fine and much cherished re- duction works, Mr. Du Bois returned to New York, in 1868, and associated in business with his brothers, JJ. G. Du Bois and Company, adding to that firm his skill and ingenuity. The business of J. G. Du Bois and Company was the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, established in 1844, by his oldest brother Lewis, who had been in the building business in New York since 1836.
After the return of Mr. Du Bois from Colorado, the firm of J. G. Du Bois and Company added to their business the manufacture of lead pipe, and Mr. Du Bois took especial charge of that branch of the business. It was while conducting the business of manufacturing lead pipe that Mr. Du Bois made the valuable invention of the "Du Bois Seamless Drawn Lead Trap," now used by phimbers in all civilized countries. In January, 1877, Mr. Du Bois engaged on his own account in the manufacture and sale of his patent plumbers' traps, at the factory of J. G. Du Bois and Company, 512 West Thirtieth street, and since that time has had the valuable assistance and association with him in the business, of his son-in-law, Mr. F. W. Blanvelt. At the same time he organized his business into a stock company under the name of The Du Bois Maun- facturing Company of New York, for the purpose of handling the product of his patent, and established a branch for the
The Old Du Bois Homestead, Catskill, Greene County, New York, owned by the family 179 years
1.1.1
Summer Residence of F. N. DuBois, Catskill, New York
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
manufacture of the traps in London, England, and another at Berlin, in Germany. At the expiration of the patent, the company having subserved its purpose, was dissolved.
In 1884 Mr. Du Bois erected the spacious six-story brick building at Ninth avenne and Twenty-fifth street, which he equipped with special machinery of his own invention and de- sign, for the manufacture of his patented Plumbers' Seamless Wrought Lead Trap. In addition to the numerous features and accessories for manufacturing purposes, the building con- tains large show and ware rooms. in which are kept a large and varied assortment of plumbers' materials and supplies. A large suite of offices are located on the second floor, where a skilled corps of stenographers and clerks are employed. This establishment furnishes employment for a large number of skilled operatives and salesmen, and is not only one of the lead- ing concerns of its kind in the city, but stands out unique from all others, owing to the fact that its founder is the sole proprie- tor and owner, and to his skill and enterprise alone is dne the snecess the house has attained, and it can be correctly stated that the name of Frederick N. Du Bois is everywhere regarde l in business eireles as a synonym for honesty and straightfor- ward business methods.
In addition to his many commercial duties, Mr. Du Bois takes an active interest in all such enterprises as have for their objeet the social and moral welfare of the neighborhood where- in he resides. In 1891 Mr. Du Bois acquired the family home- stead at Catskill, Greene county, New York, and has made ex- tensive improvements to the property, having restored the old family mansion to its present condition in 1904. In 1898 he erected a commodious and modern house on the ancestral farm at Catskill, in which he resides during the summer months. The location is one of the finest in the Hudson river valley. as
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well as of great historie interest, the first ancestors of the family having been among the first settlers of that part of the country. Mr. Du Bois, having always cherished the place of his early associations of life, has established his citizenship at Catskill, and has contributed of his time and substance towards advancing the material as well as the social and moral interests of the town. In 1903 he donated $25,000 towards the erection of the Young Men's Christian Association building at Catskill, and in many ways has contributed of his substance for the betterment of the community. He is a member of the board of directors of the Catskill Electric Railway Company, at Cats- kill.
Frederick Nelson Du Bois married, at Buffalo, New York, September 1, 1851, Helen A. Riley, born at Toronto, Canada, August 1, 1828, and of this marriage were born two children : 1. James Frederick, November 27, 1852, died December 22, 1863. 2. Alice, born April 11, 1856, married Frank W. Blan- velt, and has three children: Evelyn, born November 3, 1878, married Calvin Alfred Littlefield, January 24, 1906: Frederick Du Bois, born June 24, 1884; and Madaline Allaire, born Feb- ruary 27, 1892. Frederick N. Du Bois and his wife are active members of the North Presbyterian ehnreh at Washington Heights, of which Mr. Du Bois has served as trustee, and is president of the board.
GOELET FAMILY.
One branch of the Goelet family is so closely connected with the Du Bois family that an extended notice is required, especially as no complete account of this particular branch has vet appeared in print. The Goelets are of French Huguenot origin, their ancestors living at La Rochelle, but fled to Holland to escape persecution, the records of Amsterdam showing that
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THE RECORDER
PE TING HOUSE
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Young Men's Christian Association Building, Catskill, New York Erected by F. N. DuBois
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they were living in that city in 1621. Francis Goelet, a younger son of the family, came to New Netherland in 1676, bringing with him his son, Jacobus Goelet, then a lad about ten years of age. The father returned to Holland on business. but the ves- sel in which he sailed was never heard from afterwards, and he doubtless perished in the sea. Jacobus Goelet, thus left an ' orphan, was brought up by Frederick Philipse, the famous mer- chant of New Amsterdam. He married Jannettie Coesar, who was also of a Huguenot family, and at his death in 1731, left a family of six children.
One of the sons, Johannes (or John) Goelet, married in 1718, Jannettie, daughter of John Cannon, a merchant of New York, who was also of French Protestant descent. John Goelet died in 1753, leaving a family of seven children. Of these, Peter Goelet, the fourth son, was born in 1737, and became a pros- perons merchant in New York. His place of business was on Hanover Square. In those days what is now Hanover Square was occupied by a triangular block of several houses and lots which were bounded on the south by Pearl street, west by "Burgers Path," now William street ; north by a narrow street called Van Brnggens street, or Van Brugh street; and termi- nating in a point on the east. The store of Peter Goelet was next to Pearl street, and was where the elevated railroad stairs now stand, and was known by the sign of the "Golden Key." His name very frequently appears as a man of wealth and importance, and in 1755 he married Elizabeth Ratse, the daugh- ter of a wealthy merchant. His son, Peter P. Goelet, not only inherited considerable property, but largely increased it, and it is owing to his ability and foresight that his descendants, the present family of Goelet, have obtained their wealth and con- sequent importance.
The branch of the family to which we particularly allide in
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
this sketch are descended from Jacobus, or Jacob Goelet, who was a son of the first Jacobus Goelet, and brother of Johannes (or John) Goelet, the ancestor of the other branch of the fam- ily. Jacobus Goelet was born about 1690, and became a wealthy merchant and prominent man. On May 11, 1716, he married Catherine Boele. Of several children, the only one who sur- vived was Jannettie (or Jane), who was baptised November 23, 1720.
Among other positions held by Jacob Goelet was that of "Sworn Interpreter of the Dutch Language." The descendants of the ancient Dutch families continued to write their wills in that language down to a comparatively late date, and the rec- ords of them in the New York Surrogate's office are certified as translated by JJacob Goelet. The residence of Jacob Goelet in New York was the south corner of Broadway and Morris street, which was anciently called " Beaver Lane." Here there were formerly three or four small houses and lots, all of which, inehiding the house of Jacob Goelet, were torn down long years ago, and the hotel, known as the "Stevens House," now stands in their place.
Jannettie (or Jane Goelet, as she was afterwards called) married John Dies, July 28, 1743. Of John Dies but little is positively known. He is said to have been a ship captain, and traded with the West Indies. He is also said to have been a major in the British army, and deserted from it and fled to ('atskill as a remote and safe retreat from the pursuers. All that is known with certainty is that his father-in-law, Jacob Goelet, was at one time a merchant in Catskill, and probably John Dies went with him, and turned out to be an extravagant man, lacking in prudence, and was charged with still worse faults. Jacob Goelet in his will dated July 9, 1768, leaves his property to his daughter, but takes special care to place it in
George the Second By the Grace of God of Great Britain Frances And Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth To all to whom these presente shall come or may concern Greeting. Know Me that He bung well a foured of the Loyally Fidelity Milety and Learning of our loving Subject facol velet of our City of New york ont own. Province of Wilfork in America Gentleman. Have Nominated Constituted and_ appointed And by the prevents Do Nominale Constituie and appoint him the said Jacob Goelet to be Interpreter and Translator of the Fra Dutch Language of and for our Province of Newyork in America and for and in all our Courts within our said Provence To have and to hold, the said Office of Interpreter and Translator of the Lon Dutch. Language of and for our said. Provence, and for and in the several Courts within our said. Provence with the Salaries Fees Perquisites Profite and Advantages unto the same belonging unto fum the said. facol Goelet for and during our Royal Hill and Pleasure. In Testimony whereof He have caused these our Deres to be make Patent and the Great Deal of our vaid. 0 Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness Our Trusty and Willbeloved, James De Lancer Esquire Our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief in and over our . Provence of Newyork and the Terrimiss depending thereon in America. At Our Fort in Our City of NewYork, the fourteenth day of Sequember in the year of our Lord One thousand seven humira and fifty four and of our Reign the Twenty Eight.
Clarke fun.
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the hands of trustees, to prevent its coming into the hands of his son-in-law, JJolin Dies, "of whose prudence I have no opin- ion." Jacob Goelet probably died soon after, but the date is not known. Upon the property at Catskill, John Dies erected a mansion that was long famous, and was an elegant and ex- pensive specimen of Colonial architecture. It was erected in 1763, and was built of sandstone, with corners of freestone. It had large wide halls extending from back to front, fine stair- cases, deep wide fireplaces, large and square rooms with very high ceilings, and presented a very striking contrast to the low Dutch houses in the vicinity. It stood on a tract of about five acres, bounded east by the highway, now known as Main street, and on the south and west by Catskill creek. Its exact location was about a hundred feet north of the foot of Green street. The immense chimney of a tile making establishment now stands on its site. It was very near the side of the creek. After the death of Jane Dies, this elegant mansion became sadly neg- lected, but could not fall into decay. It was occupied as a tene- ment, later as a school, and as a private dwelling. While it was a tenement it was occupied by the family of Thurlow Weed, once so prominent in the political affairs of the State, whose father, Joel Weed, was a village cartman in Catskill. In its early days it was popularly known as "Dies' Folly," and in later years was known by the irreverent title of the "Stone Jug." It was torn down in 1897, having stood for one hundred and thirty-four years. Its massive walls required the use of dynamite to destroy them. It was a tradition that in a small room in the attic next to a chimney, John Dies was concealed by his wife, when British soldiers were in the vicinity.
Jane Dies, or as she was universally known, "Madame Dies." was a lady of superior mind, and greatly esteemed by all who knew her. Her tombstone, which is now standing in a
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private burying ground on the Du Bois estate, bears the in- scription :
In memory of Jane Dies, wife of Jolm Dias, Who departed this life the 5th of March,
1799, aged 78 years.
See here she rests free from all care The world no more to mind
But mounts up to her Saviour dear Her sure and faithful Friend.
In The Packet, a newspaper printed by Mackay Croswell. in the number dated March 9. 1799, appears the following notice: "Died on Tuesday last, (March 5th), Mrs. Jane Dies of this town, aged seventy-eight years. Her virtues, piety. he- nevolence and charity have been equalled by very few."
The date of her husband's death is unknown, but it was be- fore 1773. Their children were: 1. Matthew, born May 13. 1744. 2. Catharine, born February 26, 1746. (She married John H. Du Bois, July 17, 1804. For her descendants see sketch of Du Bois family.) 3. Jacob Goelet, born February 19, 1748, died in Canada. 4. Jane, born September 28, 1759 (mar- ried Jolm J. Du Bois, son of Isaac Du Bois, 1780). 5. John. born September 14, 1761 (died unmarried at Gilboa, abont 1835).
Matthew Dies married Eve, daughter of Johannes Van Loan and Jeannette Van Volkenberg. They had children : John. ( who lived at Gilboa and died unmarried, aged ninety-six ) : Jane. born March 19, 1768, died August 29, 1840, (she married. Feb- mary 23, 1791, Isaac Van Loan, captain and owner of the pas- senger sloop " Delaware") : Rebecca ; Lydia; Matthew, born April 29, 1778 (died in Canada) ; Christina, born September 1. 1784, (married Benjamin Fanning, and died at Gilboa, August. 1816) ; JJacob, born March 27, 1792, (died in Claryville. Sullivan
7
1
Henry Dubois
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GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
15, 1835, Anna Hoy. Their children were: Mary, Benjamin, Nelson, Walter Dies, Jol Tuttle, Harriet Clark, and Sarah Elizabeth. The two last are now living in Catskill, and have many interesting relies of the family. Dr. Nelson Fanning was a surgeon in the Union army, and a very prominent physician in Catskill.
ABRAHAM DU BOLS.
Abraham Du Bois is a worthy representative of one of the oldest Hugnenot families who were among the first settlers of the Hudson River Valley. He was born at the family homestead in Harrington township, Bergen county, New Jersey, Jan- uary 20, 1835, son of Henry Du Bois. The ancestors of the latter were also among the early settlers of the lower Hudson Valley, Powles Hoek, or Powles Ferry, which took its name after the family, and was located at or near where the Jersey City ferries are now situated; it was the principal landing on the New Jersey shore for the boatmen and ferries coming from New York.
Henry Du Bois, born June 17, 1803, at Ulster Landing, Har- rington township. Bergen county, New Jersey, was left depend- ent upon his own efforts. His educational privilges being lim- ited, he was compelled to take up such employment as could be secured, and took up boating, which at that time was one of the leading industries along the Hudson. By industry and perse- verance he improved his opportunities and increased his capital. Abont 1840 he removed to New York city, and here became engaged in the dock building trade. In this undertaking he met with good success, and in 1845 associated himself with Isaac Hendrix, under the firm name of Du Bois & Hendrix, who soon became well and favorably known as the leading pioneer dock builders of New York city, the firm's name of Du Bois & Hen- Vol. I-13
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GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
drix being everywhere regarded as synonymous with honest business methods. The firm successfully continued until 1878, when Mr. Du Bois retired from active business pursuits.
In addition to the many duties devolving upon him in their dock building business, Mr. Du Bois was interested in other enterprises in New York city. He was for some time a member of the board of directors of the St. Nicholas Fire Insurance Company, and the Knickerbocker Bank, corner Fourteenth street and Eighth avenne. Mr. Du Bois was a man possessed of even and kind disposition and good temperament. He was a stanch supporter of the Prohibition party. His moderate and abstemious habits were no doubt conducive to his years of longevity. He passed away July 1, 1887, mourned by a large circle of friends.
Henry Du Bois was married in Bergen county, New Jersey, to Catherine Powles, born November 12, 1807, died October 8, 1878. a descendant of an old Colonial family. Of this marriage were born a family of ten children, as follows: 1. Jacob, who married and resided in New York city, died there aged seventy years. 2. John, who married and resided in New York city. 3. Rachel, who married Captain Edward Skinner. 4. Abraham, who died. aged one year. 5. Abraham (2d), of this review. 6. Charles, who married and resided in Brooklyn. 7. Sarah Ellen, who died in early childhood. 8. James, who married and resides in Brooklyn. 9. Isaac Hendrix, who died in early child- hood. 10. Henry E., of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The mother of this family. Catherine (Powles) Du Bois, passed away October 8, 1878. She was a most estimable lady of the old school type, and, like her husband, had a wide circle of friends, many of whom lost in her a generous benefactor at the time of her death.
Abraham Du Bois, fourth son and fifth child of Henry and
Calcas Dubbio
Abraham DuBois
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GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Catherine (Powles) Du Bois, was born at the family homestead in Harrington township. Bergen county, New Jersey, Jan- mary 20, 1835. After having attended the schools of the Ninth ward in New York city, and upon reaching the age of sixteen, he began to learn the bookbinding trade with the Harper Brothers of New York. The work proving too confining for his health, he decided to take up outdoor work. and engaged in the dock- building trade with his father. In 1857, soon after his marriage. he removed to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he resided for over nine years. In 1867 he returned to New York city, having bought an interest in the firm of Du Bois & Hen- drix. He has since been actively connected and identified with the firm in all its various undertakings, namely : building docks and bridges. and in its dredging contracts, the latter being their chief line of enterprise at the present time. By his skill and practical judgment, Mr. Du Bois has done much for the success and advancement of the firm, which for some time was known as Henry Du Bois & Sons. November 25, 1898, the interests of the firm were incorporated under the title of Henry Du Bois' Sons Company, with Abraham Du Bois, president and treasurer: Henry N. Du Bois, general manager and civil engineer: and Edwin W. Du Bois, vice-president and secretary.
Abraham Du Bois married, at Elizabethport, New Jersey, May 7, 1857. Mary B. Montgomery, born September 25. 1836. daughter of John and Elvira (Horton) Montgomery. Of this marriage were born six children : 1. Elvira, born April 25. 1858. died November 25. 1877. 2. Henry N., born in Susquehanna county. Pennsylvania. January 27, 1860; came with his parents upon their removal to New York city. and here attended the public school, and for two years attended the College of the City of New York. When seventeen years of age he took up the practical duties of life in the employ of Henry Du Bois & Sons.
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GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
and has since been connected with the firm and their successors in various capacities. Since the incorporation of the firm of Henry Du Bois' Sons & Company in 1898, he has acted as general manager and chief engineer. He is a member of Lodge No. 756, Free and Accepted Masons, of Brooklyn, and the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 22, of Brook- lyn. He married, October 16, 1888, Trene Mackey, born May 22. 1864, daughter of William J. and Ella (King) Mackey. Of this marriage were born four children: Edna, born August 4, 1889; Irene, born September 23, 1890; Henry N., Jr., born Decem- ber 25, 1893; and Agnes Miriam, born August 29, 1896. 3. Abra- ham, died in infaney. 4. John, died in infancy. 5. Mary, died in infaney. 6. Elliott C., born July 30, 1878, a graduate of the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He married, January 23, 1906, Jessie Miller Van Wicklen, born November 5, 1876, dangh- ter of John Y. and Henrietta K. (Miller) Van Wicklen. Mrs. Du Bois died August 15, 1903.
EDWIN W. DU BOIS.
Edwin W. Du Bois, vice-president and secretary of the Henry Du Bois Sons' Company. was born in New York city, July 18, 1868. son of Charles and Emily A. (Wells) Du Bois, and grandson of Henry and Catherine ( Powles) Du Bois.
Charles Du Bois (father) was born in Harrington township, Bergen county, New Jersey, April 16, 1837, died February 17, 1901. He received his educational training in the schools of New York city, and at the age of sixteen entered a publishing house in the city of New York, serving in a clerical capacity for some time. Captain Du Bois commanded the steamer " Austin," one of the pioneer Hudson river tow boats. In 1872, after hav- ing pursued various occupations for a number of years, he be- came associated with his father and others under the style of
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Henry Du Bois & Sons, the firm having purchased the interests of Isaac Hendrix. deceased. Charles Du Bois continued his con- nection with the firm of Du Bois & Sons for several years, and then became connected with the firm of Morris & Cummings, with whom he remained in the capacity of assistant superin- tendent for a period of fifteen years. In 1878 he again returned to the employ of the firm with which his father was connected, and remained actively engaged up to the time of his death. Feb- rnary 17. 1901, at which time he was president and treasurer of the company. During the many years of his varied and prac- tical career, Mr. Du Bois acquired a thorough knowledge of the various details of the business in which his father had been so many years engaged. He was president for two years of Dredge Owners' Association, a body of men representing the dredging companies throughout the country. Was also connected with the Pratt Oil Company. He was a useful and public-spirited citizen, and took an active part in all such enterprises as tended towards the good and welfare of the community in which he resided. He held membership in the Carrol Park Methodist Episcopal church of Brooklyn, New York, and served as a mem- ber of the board of trustees for a number of years. Mr. Du Bois was mited in marriage to Emily A. Wells, born Septem- ber 9, 1838, daughter of David and Sally (Curtiss) Wells. Three children were the issue of this union: Sarah Frances, born No- vember 16. 1857. died December 25, 1862. Minnie E., born Feb- ruary 26. 1864 married Walter A. Miles, a resident of Mt. Ver- non, New York, and their children are: Ethel L .. Mildred L. and Walter Du Bois. Edwin W., see forward.
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