History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 62

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922

USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 62
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 62

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Mr. Kingsland was united in marriage, on May 6, 1829, to Susan, daughter of James Y. Watson, of Salem, Wash- ington Co., N. Y. The golden celebration of fifty years of connubial life was fitly observed by the venerable couple in May, 1879.

NELSON KINGSLAND

was born at Fair Haven, Rutland Co., Vt., Jan. 22, 1810. His parents were John and Lucy Kingsland, natives of the State of New Jersey, and he is one of a family of several sons, who worked their way up by ar- duous toil and self-denial from lowly positions, to become the most successful and wealthy business men in the several localities in which they established themselves.

The first fifteen years of Mr. Kingsland's life were passed at home, and his education was derived at the dis- triet school of Fair Haven, and in attendance upon a private school taught by Rev. Mr. Cushman.

At the age of fifteen he was apprentieed to learn the trade of a carriage-maker, in whieli he passed six years, the last three with O. Eaton, of Troy, N. Y. At the elose of that period he located at Keeseville and established a car- riage-factory, which he carried on with great sueeess for twenty-eight years.

In the year 1860 he removed to Titusville, Pa., where he remained for four years, extensively engaged in the mer- eantile and lumber business. He purchased a large traet of timber-land, which he eleared off, manufacturing the timber into lumber.

In February, 1865, Mr. Kingsland returned to Keese- ville and purchased the old foundry and machine-shops formerly owned by Goulding & Peabody. This enter- prise Mr. Kingsland, either alone or in connection with his son, Edmund Kingsland (2d), has conducted with great sueeess ever since. It is one of the largest and oldest of its kind in this section of the country, and has produced a great variety of excellent work. Some of its productions have been sold in European markets, including thirty-six machines for the manufacture of horse-shoe nails now in use at Berlin, Germany. Machines of a similar nature are now being manufactured to go to England.

Mr. Kingsland's other business enterprises have been nu- merous and diverse, and the influence of his judgment, taet, and business ability has been strongly felt in the com- munity in which he resides. He is a trustee and viee-pres- ident of the Ausable Horse-Nail Company of Keeseville, and the owner of one-quarter of the stoek. He was the first president of the Keeseville National Bank. He has dealt largely in real estate, and, besides an attractive resi- denee, owns a block of handsome stores on Front Street, Keeseville. He is engaged largely in the manufacture of agricultural implements in the West, in connection with his son, and was one of the stockholders in the purchase of the growing village of Maywood, Ill.

In polities, Mr. Kingsland is a pronounced Republiean, having received his political education in the old Whig party. In church affiliations he is a member of the Con- gregational Church of Keeseville, and las aided liberally in sustaining the various objects of benevolent and Christian charity around him.

Mr. Kingsland has been twice married. IIis first wife was Miss Catharine Ashby, of Troy, N. Y., to whom he was united in May, 1832. Six children were born to the union, of whom three, Alfred B., Edmund (2d), and Emma, are now living. The latter is the wife of Dr. G. O. Moody, a practicing physician in Titusville, Pa. Mrs.

236

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Kingsland died July 19, 1849. His present wife is Phebe, daughter of the late Isaac Smith, of New York, whom he married Dec. 24, 1850. By this union have been born George N. and Henry S. Kingsland.

WILLIS MOULD.

No class of men is more worthy of the respect and esteem of their fellow-men and of the emulation of the young than those who, in spite of adverse conditions, have risen by their own unaided efforts from humble stations in life to positions of honor, profit, and trust, acquiring a handsome compe- tency, and sustaining, by their benevolent benefactions, the various public and religious enterprises around them. Such men seem to emerge naturally from a chrysolitic state, and by a gradual process of development, tempered by the winds and waves of adversity, to attain an elevated sphere of use- fulness and honor. The life of the subject of this sketch furnishes an apt illustration of the truth of this fact. His grandfather, Joseph Mould, emigrated from England near the close of the last century, and located at Charlotte, Vt. There he remained and passed his days. Thomas, the second of his three children and the father of Willis, was born in Charlotte, in 1796. He removed to Stoekholm, St. Lawrence Co., when a youth, and went to work as a carpenter and joiner, and, with axe in hand, cleared up a home-lot in that then wild section of the country. He married Caroline Taylor, a native of Williston, Vt., and a daughter of Eldad Taylor, one of the first two settlers of the town of Stockholm, and now resides, at the ripe old age of eighty-three, in the adjoining town of Norfolk, enjoying that rest from labor which his busy and energetic life has well entitled him to.

Of the four children of Thomas Mould, Willis Mould is the second, and was born May 16, 1822. Born in the lowly dwelling of a pioneer settler, his early life was necessarily one of labor and toil, and his general advantages limited. Up to the age of eightcen years his time was largely oecu- pied in clearing up land and otherwise assisting on the paternal farm and in enjoying such educational opportuni- ties as the schools of the period afforded.

At the age of eightcen years the natural energy and en- terprise of young Mould began to assert themselves, and with that speculative turn of mind which seems to have animated his entire life he first engaged as a clerk in a store in Stock- holm, and after two years set up business for himself. This venturc, after a further two years, proved unsuccessful, and Mr. Mould withdrew from business after one of those dis- ciplinary experiences which have proved so valuable in the early careers of many successful business men.

In 1845, Mr. Mould directed his steps towards Keese- ville, having married Amanda M., daughter of Joseph Goulding, an early and prominent manufacturer of the place, in September, 1842. He became book-keeper for the firm of Goulding & Pcabody, in the old foundry (else- where described), and for twelve years worked arduously in their employ, with the exception of the period from 1851 to 1853, when ill-health drove him to California, where he, with pick in hand, engaged in digging gold. He was also, during this period, one of the overseers of the California

State Prison, which consisted of an old brig anchored in San Francisco Bay. Returning in 1853, owing to the death of Mr. Goulding, he continued in the old business until 1857. .

In that year Mr. Mould purchased the drug store of Hasbrouck & Sanborn, on the site of the present store of Mould & McLean, where he continued in trade until 1878, when he was succeeded by the present firm.

While all of Mr. Mould's business enterprises have centred around this point, his other undertakings have been numer- ous and diverse. He was one of the pioneers in the Pennsyl- vania oil speculation, and after two years and a half with- drew, with great pecuniary advantage to himself. He was one of the original stockholders of the Ausable Horse-Nail Company, at Keescville, also of the Adirondack Twine Company. He has been vice-president of the Keeseville National Bank from its organization, and owns one-eighth of the stoek now. He was also one of the original stoek- holders of the village of Maywood, Ill., and now owns twenty lots at that growing place. He has been the agent of the National Express Company for twenty-three years, discharging the duties of the position to the great satisfac- tion of the company and the public.

Amid these diverse enterprises Mr. Mould has had but little time to devote to political matters and public office. He was postmaster at Keeseville from 1861 to 1865, con- ducting the office solely for the support of the family of Joseph Reynolds, his deceased predecessor, and is one of the present trustees of the village, and a member of the school board.

In his church affiliations, he is a member of the Con- gregational Church ; was for many years a trustee of the church, and always a liberal supporter of church and benevolent enterprises.

During the trying period of the Rebellion of 1861-65, Mr. Mould was an active and earnest supporter of the government, and made many sacrifices in behalf of the Union cause. He was one of the first to subscribe to the discredited bonds of the government, and to canvass per- sonally for their sale. He was one of the most active or- ganizers of the 118th New York Regiment, and personally offered a bounty of ten dollars each to volunteers who might enlist in the ranks of the regiment. Though not liable to draft, he paid twelve hundred dollars for a substi- tute to serve in his stead. His son, H. N. Mould, was second lieutenant of Company K in the regiment, and served two years, and until the failure of his health. His son-in-law, P. V. N. McLean, also served five years in the same regiment, and attained the rank of licutenant.

Probably no one man has done more to enhance the beauty of the village of Keeseville nor contributed more substantially to its varied attractions than has Mr. Mould. In 1868 he erected the handsome brick block of six stores, known as Mould's Block, at an expense of thirty thousand dollars. Besides these, he owns six other stores on Front Street, and in 1872-73, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars, he built his present handsome dwelling-house. Besides these, he has owned many other buildings in Keeseville, and now owns one-half of the building occupied by the furniture- factory of Rufus Prescott.

Eng. Cy A H.R. W. NA.

Photo, by Bigelow. Plattsburgh.

HON. HENRY MCFADDEN,

son of George McFadden, was born in the town of Argyle, Washington Co., N. Y., Ang. 25, 1798, and removed to Clinton County, in 1802, with his parents, who settled in Beekmantown.

His father was a native of Ireland, who came to America, and settled in Washington County. He was a successful farmer, owning at one time some two hun- dred and forty acres. He settled in Chazy with his parents in 1815, and remained till 1824, when he returned to Beekmantown, and continued to reside there until his death, June 10, 1875. He was a Democrat in politics till 1856, when he became a Republican.

He was one of the most prominent and influential men that ever lived in Beekmantown. He held nearly all the important offices of his town, and rep- resented his district two years (1860-61) in the Leg- islature. He was a prominent man in the Presby- terian Church, an elder in the same, and in 1869 a delegate to the General Assembly, at New York City. While a young man he taught school several winter terms.

He married Phebe Wood, of Chazy, June 28, 1824, by whom he had eleven children ; three only now survive, viz. : Mrs. John S. Kirby ; Gustavus, who is a physician, and at present residing in Wilson County, Kansas ; and Amelia A., for many years a snecessful teacher in the normal school at Potsdam, N. Y. He lived to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage. He was an esteemed

citizen, and a kind husband and father. His mem- ory is cherished. .

JOHN S. KIRBY, a successful farmer of Beekman- town, is the son of James Kirby, and was born in Middlebury, Vt., June 10, 1824. His father died when he was fourteen years of age, and he was left to look out for himself. At sixteen years of age he commenced to work by the month on a farm, and continued to do so for twenty-two consecutive years, sixteen of which he spent with one man. His wages ranged from seven to ten and a half dollars per month. In 1863 he owned a half interest in his mother's farm, which he sold in 1865, and came to Beekmantown, and made his present purchase of some one hundred and forty acres. In politics he is a Republican, and at present assessor of his town.

He married Sarah A. Buttolph, of Middlebury, Vt., Sept. 26, 1848, by whom he had four children, all of whom are dead. Mrs. Kirby was a member of the Congregational Church. She died Nov. 11, 1862. He married for his second wife, Esther M. McFadden, daughter of Hon. Henry McFadden, March 12, 1863. She was born in Beekmantown April 14, 1836. She was a successful teacher for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church of Beekman- town. He is an elder, and for many years has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a kind and benevolent man, and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the town.

237

TOWN OF BEEKMANTOWN.

Mr. Mould's first wife dicd July 11, 1845, leaving two children. Henry M. is a rising young business man of Keeseville, and a member of the drug-firm of Mould & MeLean. Hattie M. is the wife of Philip V. N. MeLean, the other member of the firm.

For a second wife Mr. Mould married Prudence W. Webb, in September, 1847, who is still his estimable con- sort. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Roswell B. Webb, of Sudbury, Vt. Three children were born to this union, none of whom are living. . A bright young lad of eight years, Charles W., was instantly killed, in 1871, by an accidental blow from a ball-elub.

Mr. Mould is yet in the prime of life, in the possession of excellent health, and in the height of his usefulness. A glanee at his portrait in this work will display to the observer the strong lines and marks that bear witness to the possession of those characteristics which have made his life a sueeess.

CHAPTER XLVI.

BEEKMANTOWN.

Geographical-Topographical-The First Settlers-Their Location -Pioneer School-Ecclesiastical History-Presbyterian Church- Civil History-The First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Super- visors and Town-Clerks from Organization of Town to 1880-Pres- ent Town Officials-Documentary History-General Works, etc .- Military History.

BEEKMANTOWN lies on the east border of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Altona and Chazy, on the east by Lake Champlain, on the south by Plattsburgh, and on the west by Dannemora. In the east the surface is level, while in the west it is moderately hilly. The soil is a elay loam in the east and sandy in the west. On the eastern eoast is Bay St. Armand. Point au Roehe is a eape in the northeast part.

The first permanent settler within the present boundaries of this town was Gen. Benjamin Mooers, who was born in Haverhill, Mass., April 1, 1758. At the age of eighteen he entered the army of the Revolution as a volunteer. In 1777 he was appointed ensign in Hazen's regiment, and was afterwards promoted to the rank of lieutenant and adjutant. At the elose of the war he removed to Clinton County, and in August, 1783, located at Point au Roehe .*

Mr. Mooers brought with him to his wilderness home Franeis Monty and son, Z. Peasley, Pierre Boilan, Chas. Cloutier, Antoine Levan, Joseph Letorvran, Antoine La- sambert, P. Aboir, and John Fessie. The party reached Point au Roche on Sunday, August 10th, and on the follow- ing day commenced the erection of a log house, which was completed at the expiration of ten days.

He soon after cleared a small field near his house, and on the 11th of September had sowed it to wheat and turnips.

Soon after Mr. Mooers eame to Point au Roche he was appointed to survey the whole Refugee tract of land lying within this county. Taking his compass, field-book, and accompanied by a few friends, he set out on his survey.

He followed down the lake to the province line at latitude 45°, and from thence followed the line to the west, and re- turning home through the dense woods over the region of the Flat Rock and adjacent highlands.

Gen. Mooers oeeupied a prominent position in the county from the time of his arrival until his death, in February, 1838. He was the first sheriff of the county ; was four times eleeted to the Assembly and onee to the State Senate. For forty-two years he held the office of county treasurer. During the war of 1812 he was major-general of militia in command of the State troops on the frontier. He took an aetive part during the siege of Plattsburgh, in September, 1814, and by his energy, sound judgment, and military knowledge and experience rendered very important service to his country upon that oeeasion.

An early settler within the present limits of this town, and one of the original proprietors of Plattsburgh, was Thomas Treadwell of honored memory. He was a native of Smithtown, L. I., born in 1742. He graduated at Princeton in 1764. He was well edueated, and highly distinguished for his good sense, prudence, and firmness. In 1755 he was a member of the Provincial Convention. He was also a member of the convention that framed the State constitution, and was one of the senators under that constitution. In 1788 he was a member of the convention which assembled to consider the Constitution of the United States, in which he eo-operated with Clinton, Melancton Smith, Yates, and Lansing. He was Judge of Probate of Suffolk County in 1783, and held the office until surrogates were appointed, when he received the appointment of sur- rogate, which he held until 1791.

Soon after the organization of Clinton County, he re- moved to what was then Plattsburgh, and located on Bay St. Armand. He was chosen senator from the northern distriet for the years 1804-7. In 1807 he was appointed surrogate for Clinton County, which office he held until the spring of 1831. He was for many years the last surviving member of the venerable assembly that framed the first constitution of the State. He died Jan. 30, 1832, enjoying to the last the respect and confidence of his fellow-men. (The above notice is taken from Palmer's " History of Lake Cham- plain.")

Ezekiel Hubbard, who was reared by Judge Treadwell, settled near Beekmantown Corners.

The principal settler and largest landholder at the " Cor- ners" was Daniel Pieree. He had three sons, Perry, Amos, Cromwell, and Leonard.

John and Jonathan Smith, from Long Island, settled just south of the "Corners." A prominent settler near the " Corners" was Henry Dominy, also from Long Island. Capt. John Jersey settled south of the "Corners ;" and Simeon Neweomb, Jr., Joseph Main, and Henry Barnes located on the State road leading to Chazy. James Mix was an early settler. Deaeon David Howe, who settled near Mix, was his son-in-law. Deaeon Howe was for a long time a deaeon in the Presbyterian Church, and was always regular in attendance. He was a gunsmith by trade. John Howe and Chas. Marsh were early settlers. The old Marsh homestead is now occupied by Darius W. Marsh.

On the same street, between the " Corners" and East

* French for " Rocky Point."

238

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Beekmantown, Ira Howe, a brother of John, mentioned above, was an early settler. He was supervisor in 1825.

On the west road from Plattsburgh leading to Beekman- town Corners, an early settler was Benj. Barber, grand- father of R. O. Barber, of Plattsburgh. Adjoining him lived his sons, Benjamin and Roswell. Next lived a family of Jerseys, Samuel Tennant, and Philip B. Roberts. Mr. Tennant was the first town clerk. Mr. Roberts died a few years ago in Plattsburgh, at the advanced age of ninety years. A son of Deacon Hubbard, mentioned above, also resided on this road.

North of the " Corners," in 1810, lived Hosea Shaw, next Henry Dominy, son of Henry Dominy, Sr. Ad- joining him lived William Dominy; next north, and the last farm in the town, was that of Miner Lewis. On this farm the British camped on the night of Sept. 6, 1814, before invading Plattsburgh. Lewis was an eccentric genius, and given to rhyming. Hallock Bromley, an old settler, died a short time ago, aged ninety years.

An early settler east of the corners was Deacon Jeremiah Kingsley. Later settlers in this vicinity were Benjamin J. Silence, Isaac Hewitt, and Congdon Douglass. Mr. Doug- lass was the father of John Douglass, who, just before the late Rebellion, succeeded Gen. McClellan as superintendent of a railroad from Chicago to St. Louis. In this vicinity lived and died Daniel Owen, a deacon in the Baptist Church, and a soldier of the Revolution.

On the road leading west from Beekmantown Corners, Rev. Daniel Bromley, a local Methodist minister, was an early settler. Southwest of the " Corners" lived a family named Coons. Northwest the pioncers were Isaac Shaw, Parker Warren, Elijah Allen, and Nathaniel Marshall. Marshall's was the last farm in the town on that road. Early settlers on the turnpike were the Larkins. On the road known as the old road from " Nip City" to Chateau- gay lived the family of Comstocks. George Robinson also had a hotel on this road. Guinnip and Baldwin also were located on this road.

The high hill in the northwestern part of the town known as " Rand Hill" derived its name from the first settler in that locality, Israel Rand. The Sangers also early located in the vicinity.

The locality known as Culver Hill derived its name from its owner, a Mr. Culver.

On the cast street in Beekmantown, Ira Rowlson was a worthy early settler. The old homestead is now occupied by his son, Ira Rowlson * One Pardy and Baker also early located in this vicinity.

Among other early settlers are mentioned the names of George McFadden, Abel Allen, Mr. Walker, G. McCready, and Levi Marshall.

The first physician was Dr. Baruch Beckwith, father of Hon. G. M. Beckwith, of Plattsburgh. He was a native of East Haddam, Conn., from whence he removed to Wash- ington, in this State, and to Beekmantown, in 1810. He was one of the prominent and influential citizens, and did much to advance the moral and educational interests of the town. He had an extensive "ride," and continued in

active practice until about the year 1850, when declining health compelled him to retire.

THE SCHOOLS.

The citizens of Beekmantown early manifested an interest in schools, and during a long period the school at Beekman- town Corners was one of the best in Clinton County or Northern New York. Among the early teachers were Miss Kingsley, now Mrs. Dayton, of Whitehall, N. Y., Dr. Hall, and David Stafford. The town records of 1822 show that the whole amount of money received from the State and town for the use of schools was $264, and was appor- tioned among the districts as follows : No. 1, $46.46; No. . 2, $35.20 ; No. 3, $51.25 ; No. 4, $27.79 ; No. 5, $26.55 ; No. 6, $33.96; No. 7, $13.42; No. 12, $6.79; No. 14, $24.

BEEKMANTOWN CORNERS is a pleasant village located ncar the centre of the town, and contains a church (Pres- byterian), a hotel, store, and about 200 inhabitants. An agricultural-implement manufactory is located near by, owned by John Rea. The store is kept by J. B. Lewis, and the hotel by Benj. Simonds. H. L. Dominy, postmaster.

. EAST BEEKMANTOWN is a small hamlet in the southern part of the town, and is a station on the New York and Canada Railroad. It has one store; Arthur Webb pro- prietor. Station agent and postmaster, Ceylon McFadden. There is also a Methodist church located here.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

In 1815 and 1816, before the town of Beekmantown was set off from Plattsburgh, there was a wide-spread revival of religion in the First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, under the powerful preaching of Rev. Nathaniel Hewitt, and the records show that 84 were received into the church in 1816, all but 5 on experience, which, considering the small population of that early date, was very remarkable. Of this large number, many werc from the west part of the town, from four to eight miles distant, on Beckman's patent (now Beekmantown), and, owing to the great inconvenience of traveling so far, they determined on organizing a second Presbyterian Church, which was accomplished the following ycar. The minutes giving a complete history of the for- mation of this church, written by the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, we print complete, as follows :

"This church was composed of members from the First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh. Living in a part of the town commonly called Beekmantown, at a distance of six miles from the stated place of worship, it was found impossible for most of the members statedly to attend the ordinances and the preaching of the gospel in the mother- church. Feeling themselves able and willing to support the gospel among themselves, and regarding with compassion the numbers around them who were in a great measure deprived of the means of salvation, they unanimously applied to the session of the First Church to be set off and organized into a distinct church. The session received their application and took it into consideration. After a serious and careful deliberation upon the subject, their decision was made in the following resolution :

" Resolved, That it is expedient for these members of the church who live in Beekmantown to be formed into a separate church, to be denominated the ' Second Presbyterian Church in Plattsburgh.'

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 62

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 922

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922