History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 115

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862

USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 115

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There are also many advantages in such a place over a residenee in a city or a compact town, on the one hand, and over the complete solitude of being alone on a small island or in the forest, on the other hand. The post-office, the telegraph, police regulations, the pleasures of society, ean be commanded ; while the dwellers in the cottages or tents have all the freedom from restraint, and the healthful in-

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

fluences, that could be commanded in the forest. Steam- boats are landing and leaving at the wharf at all hours of the day. Indeed, the great majority of all the people who go up or down the far-famed St. Lawrence river in the summer call at least once at the Thousand Islands Park.

As a specinien of the meetings held in a single season, we may refer to those of the summer of 1877. From July 17 to the close of the month, a regular camp-meeting was held, under the direction of Chancellor Haven, presi- dent of the association. Several eminent preachers from various parts of Canada and the United States took part in this meeting. This was followed by a series of meetings on temperanee from August 1 to 7, over which Prof. George E. Foster, of the University of New Brunswick, Nova Seotia, presided. The most celebrated promoters of tem- peranee were there. From August 10 to 17, a series of meetings in the interest of science and art were held, ad- dressed by professors from some of the American and Canadian universities. A regular "Thousand Island Park Scientific and ÆEsthetic Association" was organized, and similar meetings may be expected every summer. This was followed by a Sunday-school Parliament of ten days, under the supervision of Rev. W. F. Crofts, addressed by many of the best-known workers of the Sunday-sehool cause. Indeed, the proceedings of the Sunday-school Parliament held here in 1876, having been published in a volume en- titled "The Bible and the Sunday-school," by Rev. W. F. Crofts, the volume has passed through several editions, and been widely eireulated in Canada and the United States.

The influence of this park in bringing together leading men of influence from the United States and Canada is worthy of notice. It is probably doing more to promote the mutual acquaintance of the two peoples than any other one institution. The St. Lawrence is, indeed, not " a nar- now firth," nor do the "lands" on the opposite side " abhor each other;" still, it is noticcable that the streams of travel, and largely of social intermingling, follow the course of the sun, and there is proportionately but little movement north- ward and southward. The intercourse of the Canadians and New Yorkers and other Americans on opposite sides of this broad river and these wonderful lakes, is exceedingly limited. The natural tendency is toward foolish prejudices, which intercourse would dissipate. Business intercourse is not enough. What is needed is the mingling in social life.

At this park several thousand people meet every summer. They are about equally divided among Canadians and Americans. The religious and literary meetings, scientifie discussions, and social intereourse tend to create friendship and harmony, and are on that especial account highly es- teemed by many.

There are some dangers connected with such a place of temporary residence that need to be guarded against. The celebrity of the speakers engaged, and euriosity to see the place, would attraet large erowds there on Sundays, which would tend to defeat the quiet and good order desired. Therefore, the associations shut their gates and forbid the landing of boats at their wharf on Sundays.

This is pre-eminently an American institution. Nothing like it is known in any other country. It remains to be

seen into what it may be developed. Already there are some hundreds of eottages on the grounds, occupied only in the summer. During the bleak winters only one or two families remain to watch over the property. It may yet develop into a permanent village, with a thousand or more elegant cottages for summer residents. The literary and seientific and religious exercises may yet become systematized so as to afford the highest educational advantages. Certain it is that there is no more salubrious region in the world in summer, and that " The Thousand Islands Park" is one of the greatest attractions in this region.

We tender our acknowledgments for assistance to the following gentlemen : Hon. Russell B. Biddlecom, Joshua L. Nash, R. T. Jerome, the Waltons, Timothy R. Staek- house, A. J. Snell, Daniel Eddy, William Whaley, the Robinsons, William Rogers, Esq., Rufus S. Lingenfelter, D. J. Dewey, and others.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ADAM J. SNELL.

The subject of this biography is the son of Joshua and Nancy Snell, of Manheim, Herkimer Co., N. Y. He was born Feb. 22, 1828, in the town and county above named. His father is still living in Herkimer county, and is engaged in farming. He remained at home on the old farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he concluded to locate in Jefferson County, which he did by purchasing the farm upon which he now resides, con- sisting of 127 aeres, and situated in the town of Orleans. He has added to the original purehase until he now has 227 acres, with good outbuildings, a view of which can be seen by reference to another page of this work.

On Sept. 13, 1854, he united in marriage with Juliette Snell, of the same town, in Herkimer county, from whence he came. The result of this marriage was one daughter, Carrie, wife of Frederick Resh, now residing in the town of Orleans. Mrs. Snell died April 10, 1861. On March 18, 1862, he was married to his present wife, Catharine M., daughter of Henry Heyl, who emigrated to this country from Germany in the year 1832, and settled in Orleans. They have one daughter, Emma E., aged thirteen years, who is quite an interesting ehild.

Mr. Snell is in the prime of life, one of the most active and intelligent practical farmers of his town, and among the best in the county. He is surrounded with all the comforts of life, and is apparently enjoying the fruits of his industry and thrift. In politics he is a Democrat, having always acted with that party. Both he and his estimable wife are members of eharch, and both take an active interest in the welfare of the community in which they reside.

MRS.EDMUND SARGENT.

EDMUND SARGENT.

MRS. ADAM J. SNELL.

RESIDENCE AND DAIRY FARM OF ADAM J. SNEL

ADAM J. SNELL.

ORLEANS, JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

H B. WHITMAN, DEL.

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

461

KE *

HON. R. B. BIDDLECOM.

MRS. MARTHA A. BIDDLECOM.

HON. RUSSELL B. BIDDLECOM,

son of Charles and Rhoda Biddleeom, was born in Deer- field, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 18, 1822. At the age of thirteen he emigrated to Orleans, Jefferson County, where he has since resided, except during the years 1859-61. He received a common school education, and for thirteen years taught school, commencing at the age of seventeen, during which time he acquired a knowledge of the higher branches (except the languages), without a master ; and subsequently taught in the high schools and academies. He has been one of the most successful educators of the county. In 1842, as a recognition of his qualifications as an edueator, he was chosen town superintendent of conimon schools of Orleans, which position he filled faithfully and well for eight years.

September 18, 1845, he married Martha Ann Richard- son. From 1851 to 1858 inclusive, he held the office of justice of the peace, and few cases that came before him were appealed, and those that were invariably resulted in an affirmation of his judgment.

During the years 1859-61, he held the office of clerk of Jefferson County, and in that position gave eminent and general satisfaction to the people. He resided in Watertown during his term of office, so the better to at- tend to the duties thercof. In 1848 he became one of the founders of the Orleans Academy, and labored for its suc- cess until its property finally passed into private hands in 1855.

He was colonel during the organization and raising of the regiment or battalion of about 2300 men, during the months of August and September, 1862; and captain in the Tenth New York Artillery from the date of its organization, Sep- tember 2, 1862, till the 31st day of July, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability.

In 1865, Mr. Biddlecom represented the Third Assembly District of Jefferson County in the State Legislature, and the Second Assembly District in the same body in 1866, acting as Chairman of the Committee on Claims the latter

year. Was elected supervisor of the town of Orleans in 1866, and re-elected to the same office the three succeeding years, during the last of which he served as chairman of the Board.

In 1871 Mr. Biddlecom beeame interested as one of the stockholders of the Clayton and Thercsa railroad, and was prominently engaged in its construetion for three years. He has held the office of secretary, treasurer, and general superintendent of the Clayton and Theresa Railroad Company since its organization, in 1871. He was instrumental in bonding the town of Orleans as a means for building the road, meeting with great opposition, especially in the courts. The question of the validity of the bonds is now pending in the Supreme Court of the United States. In polities Mr. Biddleconi was a Whig until 1854, when he became a Republican, and assisted in organizing the Republican party in Jefferson County, and has since strenu- ously labored for that party and its best interests. In 1868, 1869, and 1876 he acted as chairman of the Republican county committee, with general satisfaction. He was a firm supporter of the administration during the War of the Re- bellion, and assisted with his means, labor, and influenee, to fill any quota ealled for by the President.

Mr. Biddlecom is now engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at La Fargeville. He is a gentleman of sterling in- tegrity, and while he has many who differ with him politically, and who entertain a bitter animosity against him on account of his connection with the construction of the Clayton and Theresa railroad, yet we never heard a breath against his character for honesty. He thought, and, doubtless, correctly, too, that the construction of that road would be a public benefit, and believing this, worked for the success of the enterprise; and though there be some who view the matter from a different standpoint,- actuated, as he was, by a desire to promote the best in- terests of the town,- his conduct was, in the estimation of the writer, commendable.

462

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

WILLIAM WHALEY.

Prominent among the self-made men of Orleans is the subject of this sketch, who is the son of John and Sophia Whaley, of Herkimer Co., N. Y., where he was born on the 21st of May, 1819. His father being a man of limited means, he was bound out when he was five years old to one Hiram Skiff, with whom it was purposed he should remain until he attained his majority. On account of the ill usage he received at the hands of the man Skiff, his mother objected to the completion of his servitude. When eleven years of age he went to live with John Tallman, who immediately removed to Jefferson County, and settled in the town of Orleans. His educational advantages were quite limited. At the age of eighteen he left Mr. Tallman, with no early capital but his health, industry, and a desire to succeed. He at once engaged to work for Caleb Willis, and remained in his employ for seven years, and for other parties for the same length of time. He purchased his first land in 1845, being one hundred acres, nearly all in its natural state. This is now known as the old homestead farm, of which an illustra- tion is given elsewhere in this work, in connection with his present residence, the old farm being now occupied by a tenant. Mr. Whaley has added to his first purchase until he now owns 774 acres, being the largest landholder in the town.

On the 23d of March, 1852, he united in marriage with Lovina Folts, of Orleans. She was the daughter of Peter P. and Betsey Folts, and was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 2, 1821. Her father moved to Jefferson County in 1834, and settled in the town of Orleans. At the age of twenty-nine she married Mr. Whaley, and has had two children, Arminda A., now living at home, and Armina A., wife of Jerome Snell, now residing in the town of Theresa.

Mr. Whaley is now in his fifty-ninth year, as vigorous and active as ever, possessing a robust constitution, which, coupled with a clear conscience, is one of the best gifts of Providence. He is a man very generally respected by his fellows. A good neighbor, firm friend, and capital business man, he is well known throughout the county, and enjoys the confidence of the community as a man whose word is as good as his bond. By industry, prudence, and economy, he has accumulated a considerable fortune, owning as he does much valuable personal property, besides his extensive real estate. Mr. Whaley is in every respect a model citizen.

SIMON FOLTS.

This gentleman, one of the most extensive and best prac- tical farmers of Jefferson County, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in the year 1814. He emigrated to Jefferson County in 1834, and settled in Orleans; worked for his father for almost ten years, until he attained his majority. In 1844 he married Jane, daughter of John C. Zimmerman, of the town of Pamelia, formerly from Herkimer county. Commenced business for himself in 1845, receiving 60 acres of land from his father, Peter P. Folts. The first purchase he made himself was 58 acres, from La Farge. By subsequent purchases he has accumulated about 600 acres, all in one body. He is a man very generally respected by his fellow-townsmen, as an honest and upright business man, an accommodating neighbor, and a good citizen. (See illustration, etc.)

NATHAN HOLLOWAY

was born in the town of Hounsfield, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Dec. 20, 1817. His father, Samuel Holloway, was one of the pioneers of this county. He remained under the pa- ternal roof until he was twenty-one years of age. On Nov. 24, 1839, he married Cynthia Lee, who died March 21, 1847. This union was blessed with two children, of whom one, a daughter, Melissa S., survives. Jan. 13, 1848, he married Hannah Gifford, by whom he had a son, Harmon M., who is married and resides on a farm adjoining the old homestead, which his father deeded him. The daughter above mentioned is also married, and resides on a farm on one side of the home-place, whichi her father gave her. Mr. Holloway lost his second wife Sept. 30, 1875, and, on the 6th of the same month, in 1876, married Mrs. Cynthia (Spaulding) Steenburgh.

He commenced life by working out by the month, and by industry and judicious management succeeded in getting a fine farm for himself and each of his children, and now enjoys all the comforts of an independent farmer. He has always evinced an interest in public affairs, and was instru- mental in building the Clayton and Philadelphia railroad, of which he is a director, and also a member of the finance committee of that corporation. He has held several town offices, and is one of the most enterprising citizens of Jefferson County, and one of the substantial men of the town of Orleans. An illustration of his farm, and portraits of himself and his two last wives, can be seen in the de- partment of illustrations of Orleans elsewhere in this work.

MRS. A.A HUGHES

:% HUGUES

RESIDENCE & DAIRY FARM CE A. A HUGHES. ORLEANS JEFFERSON COW

MRS. GEO. E

BANTA, PHOTO

GEO. ECKERT.

RES. & DAIRY FARM OF GEORI

BANTA, PHOTO.

BANTA PHOTO.

MISS LYDIA GOODRICH.

RT.

CKERT, ORLEANS, N. Y.

RES. OF EDMUND SARGENT, ORLEANS, JEFFERSON Co., N. Y.

PAMELIA.

THE first attempt at settlement in the territory now constituting this town was made in 1799, the same year that Jacob Brown and his party located in Brownville. In that year two men, named Boshart and Kitts, established themselves with their families about three miles northeast from Watertown, near where Le Ray street now runs, erected log houses, and began clearings. Their families, however, were dissatisfied, and on the approach of winter they all removed to Lewis county ; that is, they went to the territory now called Lewis county, for at that time both Lewis and Jefferson were a part of Oneida county. The present Pamelia, together with all the rest of Jefferson County north of Black river, was then embraced in the town of Leyden.

In 1799 the south part of the territory afterwards called Pamelia was owned by Pierre Chassanis, a French gentle- man, it being a portion of what has been known as " Cas- torland," "the Chassanis Tract," or "The French Com- pany's Land." The central and northern portions were a part of "Great Tract No. Four" of Macomb's purchase, except the territory east and northeast of Perch lakc, which was embraced in Penet Square. Tract No. Four was then actually owned by the Antwerp Company, an association of Holland gentlemen residing in the city of Antwerp, though being foreigners the title was held by others for them. The origin and transfers of titles previous to the beginning of settlement have been sufficiently set forth in the general history of the county.

In the year 1800 the southwest half of Tract No. Four (which included the Pamelia portion) was conveyed in trust for the Antwerp Company to the celebrated James Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont. He was made the agent of the company for the sale of the territory thus conveyed, and ten years later he purchased all the unsold land in Tract No. Four. Le Ray soon acquired an interest in the Chassanis tract also, and made all the sales after 1801, either as principal or agent. Thus it will be seen that all land-titles in Pamelia (except in the small tract embraced in Penet Square) may be traced back to Le Ray de Chau- mont, acting either for himself or others.

On the first day of April, 1802, the territory which is our present subject was transferred from Leyden to the new town of Brownville, of which it formed a part for seven- teen years. On the 28th of March, 1805, it became a part of the county of Jefferson, which was formed from Oneida on that day.

The territory of Painclia was a comparatively level tract, slightly rolling, entirely underlaid with limestone, which frequently came to the top of the ground. It was heavily timbered, the principal growthis being elin and maple,

with considerable beech, basswood, and oak, and occasional patches of black ash on the wet ground. Besides the lime- stone, which frequently cropped out in low ledges, there were a few large bowlders of granite scattered though the forest, which had apparently drifted from other regions.

At the northern extremity of the yet unformed town lay Perch lake, a beautiful little body of water, nearly three miles long and three-fourths of a mile in width at the widest place, renowned for the fish whose name it bears. Along the southeastern and southwestern corners ran the turbulent Black river. This description, being confined to the territory which now constitutes Pamelia, excludes con- sideration of the tract bordering on Black river, which has lately been annexed to Watertown, and the history and description of which are given in the chapters devoted to that city. The territory of Pamelia was also drained by several small streams, of which Perch river (the outlet of Perch lake), Philomel creek, and Cowen's creek were the principal, all three running in a southwesterly direction, and all, previous to the clearing off of the forest, containing a considerable quantity of water.

EARLY SETTLERS.

After the fecble attempt of Boshart and Kitts we cannot learn exactly who were the first settlers within the present limits of Pamelia. All who located there during the first ten years of this century have died or moved away, in- cluding those who were children at that time. One of the very earliest was Mr. Makepeace, grandfather of Elliott Makepeace, Esq., who settled on the farm now occupied by Daniel Augsbury, in the north part of the present town. He built the first frame house within the present limits of Pamelia.

As early as 1804 a few settlers located on the north shore of Black river, in what is now Watertown. In 1805, Mr. Haven settled a mile from the river, just inside the present city limits, and it is fair to presume that as early as that year some emigrants located in the present Pamelia. Pos- sibly there were a few at a still earlier date. Previous to 1812, some twenty or thirty families came into town. Among these were John Gould and J. M. Parish, who both settled in the northwest part of the present town, on farms still owned by their sons. Elijah Ainsworth, Philip Ains- worth, - Brintnall, Caleb J. Bates, Isaac and Jacob Mea- cham, William Morse, and Jacob Lowell all settled in the northwest part of the town before 1812. Benjamin Cole, Obadiah Rhodes, and Stephen Farr settled during the same period, near Pamelia Four Corners, while Aaron Dresser, Curtis Goulding, Henry Becker, and Alvin Twing were the founders of that village itself.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

John Folts located in the southwest part of the town before 1812, and probably Simeon Woodruff, Peter Acker, and David and Belshazzar Tillipaugh. Two families, named Bacon and Cooper, were among the earliest settlers in the southeast part of the present town. Smith Scoville located himself previous to 1811, near the hotel now kept by his son, John Seoville. Mr. John Scoville was born in 1811, and is the oldest native of the town, now residing in it, whom we have been able to discover .*

In 1811, David Augsbury with his family settled in the northwest part of the town. He was followed, in 1812, by his father, John Augsbury, with his three youngest sons, Benjamin, Nicholas, and Daniel. Two other sons, John and Abraham, already men of family, did not come until after the war. Of all these the youngest son, Daniel, then eleven years old, is now the only survivor. He is the only person we have been able to find who was a resident of Pamelia and old enough to recollect events previous to the War of 1812. It is to him we are principally indebted for the names of settlers earlier than himself. His father pur- chased the farm of Mr. Makepeace, who, however, removed but a short distance. The house was still the only frame one in town, and is yet standing on the same farm. Mr. Augsbury says it appeared in 1812 to be seven or eight years old, by which we infer that Mr. Makepeace settled there as carly as 1804 or 1805.

The road from Brownville running past Mr. Augsbury's, and thence northeastward on the east side of Perch lake, was then cut out and used on the same ground it now occu- pies. Another road, running northeast from Brownville, ran nearly, though not exactly, on the line of the present " Military road." Deer were very abundant, frequently showing themselves close to the houses of the settlers, but wolves do not appear to have been as troublesome as in many other new regions. Their warning voices were some- times heard, however, up till the War of 1812, but after that time they almost entirely disappeared. Large num- bers of Indians frequently visited Perch lake for the pur- pose of fishing, but they always behaved themselves peace- ably towards the settlers.

Otters were numerous about the lake. Mr. Augsbury mentions going thither shortly after he eame into town, and seeing seven otter together, swimming for life towards the . mouth of a creek, in the bank of which they were seeking shelter. His dog plunged in and caught hold of one, but the animal, in his own element, was too strong for his canine assailant, and quickly broke loose and gained a place of safety.

In Pamelia, as elsewhere throughout the country, potash was the principal article produced by the settlers which brought eash. The people of Pamelia were favorably situ- ated for sending it to Canada, and many were the loads which, during the non-intercourse days previous to the War of 1812, found their way to the St. Lawrence by the secret road, cut through the forests of Brownville and Cape Vineent, and known only to the initiated.

During that war the few residents of Pamclia were kept in a state of continuous alarm by the hostile operations along the border, and every man capable of bearing arms was again and again called out to repel invasion. No foe- man, however, found his way thus far eastward, and at the conclusion of the war old settlers and new immigrants recommenced the task of felling the great elm forests of Pamelia.

Theron Converse had put up a log house in the winter of 1814-15, on what is now called Le Ray street, just north of the present city line. In the spring of 1815 he moved thither with his family from Watertown. His son, Hiram Converse, then thirteen, is now one of the earliest settlers of Pamelia, though at present residing just within the city line. He states that at that time it was all a dense wilder- ness eastward almost to Carthage. Dcer were still numer- ous, and were often shot at a deer-liek only two or three miles north from the county-seat.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 115

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 862

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862