History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

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 56

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and gave him the refusal of it for three days. The next morning Mr. Woodruff mounted his horse and rode that day to Utica, eighty-four miles, arriving there in the even- ing. He at once went to the house of his friend Samuel Stocking, laid the proposition before him, and invited him to join in the purchase, which he readily agreed to. They then went to the cashier of the branch of the old Bank of the United States, located there, had hiin open the bank and furnish them the money to pay for it. The next day Mr. Woodruff returned home, and the trade was consumi- mated within the time specified. It proved to be a good one.

In 1836 he, in connection with Mr. Stocking and John Jacob Astor, purchased a large tract of land at Green Bay, Wisconsin. This did not turn out well, and some years after he sold his interest to Mr. Astor. About the same time he purchased quite a tract of land near Ottawa, Illi- nois, which proved a good investment. His natural prefer- ence for real estate led him to purchase a large farm on the opposite side of the river. Here he was enabled to gratify his fondness for good stock. He always had the best pair of horses he could find. Among others he sold one pair to Mr. Astor, which could be seen for many years in Broad- way and admired, and another to the governor-general of Canada.

In politics he was a Conservative Democrat, but never sought or accepted any political office ; but in all business matters of the county he took a prominent official part. For a great many years he was superintendent of the county poor-house, making frequent visits at all times, informing himself in regard to the treatment of the inmates, the pur- chase of supplies, and the preservation of the meats by thrusting his fingers in the brine and tasting it, and giving his practical directions to the overseer accordingly. In these visits he would drop many a dollar in the hands of the worthy inmates, to enable thein to have an extra cup of tea or procure tobacco or other things that would add to their comfort. He early became a stockholder and director in the Jefferson County Bank, and upon Orville Hungerford being elected to Congress in 1842, the then president, and declining a re-election, Mr. Woodruff was elected president, and continued so for some fifteen years and until his death.

When the project of building a railroad from Rome to Watertown and Cape Vincent was started, Mr. Woodruff was one of the most earnest advocates of it, and at once was ready to contribute his full share of money for that purpose. He was elected among the first directors of the enterprise, and it is no injustice to other parties to say that without his money and influence, together with that of Or- ville Hungerford, the road would not have been built when it was or for many years after. They not only subscribed liberally to the stock, but gave with others liberal indorse- ments to notes to carry the work through to completion.

Mr. Woodruff's regard and respect for the early settlers of the county was particularly shown in his attendance at the funerals of his numerous acquaintances ; whether in the village of Watertown or other villages, or in the county, his carriage would be generally in attendance, and he would often go on horseback, and if requested, as he usually was, take charge of it.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

His charities were numerous, but never ostentatious, for the left hand rarely knew what the right did. In his fre- quent rides on horseback he called upon many worthy and needy persons. On Christmas and other days he would drop a five- or ten-dollar note in their hands, or send cords of wood or bags of flour, and ride away before the re- cipients had time to thank him. The extent of this was never known until after his death, by these persons speak- ing of it.

He had many clerks and a great number of apprentices; among the former was Hon. W. W. Wright, of Geneva, late canal commissioner, and Lorenzo W. Prentice, now of Watertown; of the latter most of them went west, and have made a good record.

From the foregoing it will readily be seen what the gen- eral character of Mr. Woodruff was. He had a perfect detestation of an untruthful man, as he never was known to tell a lie himself,-neither would he prevaricate or mis- lead any one by his statements.

In his business he was prompt himself and required all others with whom he dealt to be the same. If they wanted an extension of time on payments, he wanted them to come and say so on the day. When they did so he was never known to distress them.

With his large and prolonged business life he was never known to have a litigated lawsuit. He at all times kept a watchful eye out for young men embarking in business, and gave them encouragement by words and counsel, and pecu- niary aid if worthy and they needed it.

His death occurred January 16, 1857, aged sixty-five years. This hasty sketch would be incomplete and unsatis- factory to the writer if he did not in the most heartfelt way close it up by a lovable reference to the companion to whom Mr. Woodruff in early life gave his affection, and who shared with him his business success, his domestic and family trials in raising a large family to maturity and usefulness.

This esteemed mother, grandmother, and great-grand- mother still presides as the empress of the old homestead. Sixty years after her marriage, and in the most lovable way, receives the daily, monthly, or yearly attendance of her off- spring, who most willingly pay tribute to her and ask her blessing. And all her descendants unite in saying, " May God bless her, and may her cheery years continue indefi- nitely to make them happy as she has done, and when her work is done may she find eternal rest !"

This old home is dear to all the family, for while death has frequently entered its portals and removed loved and dear ones, yet other and pleasant gatherings have assembled under its hospitable roof.

Births, deaths, and weddings have taken place often there, and among the latter was once a noonday wedding. The tables were loaded with refreshments, which were par- taken of by those in attendance; short time for toasts ; train to leave soon ; champagne was drank to bride and groom, and then, as the children numbered nine, all tall, averaging about six feet, the following toast was given : "To the mother of fifty-four feet of Woodruffs." It is not necessary to say that all the goblets were emptied and that Mr. Woodruff should require that they should be

filled again and drank, notwithstanding that this living pyramid was higher than his famous Woodruff House, of which he was justly proud.

CHARLES T. WOODRUFF.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Water- town, December 25, 1814. He was son of Simeon and Rosannah Woodruff, who had a family of twelve children, and were among the first settlers of the town of Watertown.

His father was a native of Litchfield county, Connecti- cut, and, previous to his marriage, came and settled in Oneida county, New York, and there married (1798) Miss Rosannah, daughter of Roderick Adams, of Simsbury, Con- necticut, whose ancestors were of English descent. In the year 1799 his father left Steuben, Oneida county, and, with his brother Benjamin, came and settled in the town of Watertown. Returning the same fall to Steuben, spent the winter; and in the spring, with his wife and one child, Chloe, came to his new home in the wilderness to carve out fortune.

He first took up some one hundred acres of land, and began clearing off the forest and making the land tillable ; but, after a few years, sold his farm to his brother Ben- jamin, and removed to the town of Pamelia, where, as a farmer, he resided until 1843, and returned to the town of Watertown, where he lived to be eighty years of age, and died in the year 1853.

The wife of Simeon Woodruff, and mother of the subject of this memoir, after a life of devotion to her family and to the church, having united as a member of the first class formed in Watertown in the Methodist Episcopal church, lived to the very advanced age of ninety-nine full years, and, in the early part of her one hundredth year, died, honored by all who knew her, in June, 1876.

Charles T. Woodruff was the ninth child in the family, and lived at home until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he went to learn the carpenter and joiner trade, and has spent a large part of the time up to 1860 in carry- ing on that trade. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and brick-making in the city of Watertown, a location on Black river, and well adapted to such a business.

In the year 1850, at the age of thirty-five, he married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of John Clark, of Ellisburg, Jefferson County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff were born five children : John C., Ada F., Rosa E., Abby M., and Charles E. Woodruff. All are living at home except the eldest, John C., who is married, and lives near his father.

Charles E. has entered the law-office of Judge Wright, of Watertown city, and is preparing himself for the profession.

Mr. Woodruff is now in his sixty-third year, and, with the exception of four years spent in Maumee city, Ohio, has remained in his native county.

In politics he is a Republican, and earlier in life took an active part in public interests, and placing honest men in places of political preferment.

He and his wife are attendants upon the Universalist church, and contribute to the support of that body.

RESIDENCE OF MRS. O.R. DAVIS, WATERTOWN, N. Y.

RESIDENCE OF HIRAM DEWEY, ESQ., WATERTOWN, NY

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE GEN. ABNER BAKER, 58 WASHINGTON ST., WATERTOWN, N. Y.

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

221

GENERAL ABNER BAKER.

The subject of this sketch was born September 17, 1791, in Northampton, Massachusetts. He was third son, in a family of eleven children, of Abner and Lois Baker, of Hebron, Connecticut, and a lineal descendant of Edward Baker, who was born in England, emigrated to America in the fleet under Governor Winthrop, which sailed from England, and arrived at Boston July, 1630; the fleet con- sisting of eleven vessels, and bringing some seventeen hundred persons. Edward Baker settled at Saugus (then Lynn), Massachusetts, on the south of a hill since called Baker's hill.

His father resided in Northampton, but about five years after the birth of our subject he removed with his family to Goshen, in the same county, where he remained until March, 1804,-eight years; after which he removed to Deerfield, Oneida county, New York. He did not feel settled yet, but in March, 1806, he removed again to Malta, in the then new county of Jefferson, New York.

During all this time, and up to 1802, he worked with his father and brothers on the farm, or farms, in the several homes which have been described, getting about three months' school each winter, and thus acquiring what little education lay at the foundation of his capacity for business.

After that he started out " on his own hook." at the age of seventeen, to " try his hand" at such methods as he might invent to acquire an independence. He came to Watertown, and hired to Abraham Jewett to work in his brick-yard. His winters were occupied in assisting to pre- pare wood for the use of the yard in the following seasons, and in going to school just " to keep his hand in," and to

perfect himself in arithmetie, writing, etc. He continued on with Mr. Jewett for several years, becoming master of the business and " boss of the yard."

In 1811 there was a prevalent sickness through the country-a malignant type of typhoid fever-which was very fatal, setting at naught the skill of our best physicians, and overriding all barriers to its desolating progress through entire families and neighborhoods. Our subject did not escape the dreaded epidemic. He found himself coming down with the fever, and immediately turned his steps towards that well-remembered home in Lorraine, where he could avail himself of the skill and care of his mother and sisters. While he was in health he did not so much miss the little attentions and kindness which go to make up our enjoyment. But when he was stricken down among com- parative strangers, and a lingering and perhaps fatal sick- ness and premature death were staring him in the face, then he felt and realized more than ever before the truth of the saying, " There's no place like home."

But it was to share with others in the family,-those gentle, loving offices of mother and sister; for though he was spared to get well, yet two brothers and one sister died, viz., one brother aged sixteen, one aged nine, and one sister, -Mrs. Oliver Taylor,-aged thirty. During the same period, and by the same epidemic, two brothers of Mr. Baker, Sr., died at the old home in Northampton, Massa- chusetts. It will thus be seen how " wave after wave" rolled over them as a family, and that " clouds and darkness were for the time around about the throne."

These were the first and only deaths in this large family

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

up to this time, and the youngest of the twelve was now four years old. It was not until April, 1830, that another death occurred in the family,-and that was the loved and cherished mother, who died at the full age of sixty-eight years.

The father passed on through all the periods which are generally supposed to be specially critical in advancing age and natural infirmities to the ripe and green old age of ninety-one years and ninetcen days, ending his protracted span of life peacefully and hopefully at Norwalk, Ohio, in the family of his son, Hon. Timothy Baker, September 15, 1845.

Our subject, as we have said, made brick-making his business for several years during his younger days. He was married January 2, 1817, to Miss Eunice Hull, a daughter of John Hull, of Lorraine, removing her to Water- town in February thereafter, and commenced housekeeping in the little house now owned by Dr. Robinson, and on the Washington street front of his lot.

It was as boss of Jewett's brick-yard, in that particular locality now known as Goodale's lanc, that the writer of this article formed an acquaintance with him, while hauling the brick of his make for the walls of the house built in 1812 by the late Hart Massey, on Massey avenue, in Water- town village. That acquaintance ripened up into friend- ship as stable as the materials of those walls, which now, at the end of almost fifty-five years, are so perfectly preserved.

He has lived on the same house-lot, though for many years in a house better comporting with his altered circum- stances, and on the other side of the lot, during all this half-century of housekeeping.

His active business capacity led to his election as one of the town constables at an early day, while lie was yet a young man. It was before the "non-imprisonment act," and while the collection of debts was enforced by the fears of the "debtor's room" in the common jail, or a tedious sojourn on the " limits" until some friend could be " moved" to interfere and pay the debt or become surety.

A good collecting constable was one who could show mercy to the unfortunate debtor while at the same time he could look after the interest of creditors. Such an officer was Abner Baker, Jr., during those many years in which he was elected to the office of either sheriff or constable, and I am yet to form the acquaintance of the first man who charged General Baker with inhumanity and oppression on the one hand, or unfaithfulness to the interests of cred- itors on the other.

In the fall of 1867 he was elected by the old Whig party sheriff of the county,-the duties of which office he had performed as under-sheriff during the last preceding term under Sheriff Chauncey Baker. This term, to which he was elected in the fall of 1867, was one requiring more than ordinary prudence, as well as taet, courage, and firm- ness on the part of the sheriff of any of the counties bor- dering on the Canada line, on account of the progress of what was known as the " Patriot War." It cost our gov- ernment and its officers, both civil and military, a good deal to hold the reins of government in firm hands, and at the same time avoid trampling on the rights of individuals on either side of the line of the frontier.

Mr. Baker was drawn into the ranks of our State militia about 1819 or 1820, being commissioned as adjutant of the Seventy-sixth regiment New York State militia, commanded at the time by Colonel Anson Hungerford. He held that office for two years, after which he was elected captain of the Watertown company of infantry militia.

He was now in the line of " promotion," and rose very rapidly. At the end of two years he was promoted to the rank of licutenant-colonel of the Seventy-sixth regiment, where he served two years; then colonel of the same five years ; then brigadier-general of the fourth brigade for four years, and finally major-general of the twelfth division for four years.

Some time about 1856 he became involved in pecuniary embarrassments, from which he partially recovered by being placed again, by the courtesy of his old Whig friends, in the office of sheriff, the business of that period making the office one of considerable emolument.

It only remains to speak of his connection with the organ- ization and conduct of the Union Bank, in Watertown, as among his public acts. He assisted in originating that bank in 1852, and was among its directors from the first to the present time ; while he held the office of president for three successive years previous to 1857, when he resigned to assume the duties of sheriff during his last term.

General Baker's last days were full of affliction, suffering on account of a paralytic stroke. He died July 25, 1872. His devoted wife survives him, now in her eighty-fourth year, cared for by a kind nicce, Miss Martha W. Bennett. An engraving of the residence of the late General Baker will be seen on the opposite page, showing fruit-bearing and ornamental trees of over half a century's growth, planted by his own hands.

WILLIAM HOWARD.

The subject of this sketch was born in Springfield, Mas- sachusetts, October 16, 1825. He was the son of William Howard and Susannah Williams. His father was a native of South Carolina, and his grandfather, Henry Howard, with his brother, emigrated from England and caine to Boston about the time of the breaking out of the Revolu- tionary war, and enlisted in the war on the side of the colonists, and never saw each other afterwards. The grand- father, at the close of the war, settled in South Carolina, and marrying in that State, removed to Hampden county, Massachusetts, with his family, in the year 1800, and moved again with his family to Jefferson County, and set- tled in the town of Wilna, near Carthage, about the year 1828, and died. Before coming to this counry his father married, and had nine children, of which William is the third son and seventh child, and came to this county with his father in the year 1843. His father was a farmer by occupation, and settled in the town of Watertown. From the time William was ten to eighteen years of age he worked in the cotton-mills in Massachusetts, but on coming to this county learned the tinsmith trade, which, in con- nection with the hardware and stove business, he has car- ried on until the present time.

In the year 1843 he married Miss Laurinda Pelton, of

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Springfield, Massachusetts. She died 1859. For his sec- ond wife he married Mrs. Helen M. Fanning, daughter of Peter M. Myers, of Orleans, Jefferson County. She was born in this county January 1, 1836. Her father was a native of Little Falls, Herkimer county, and her great- grandfather, Henry, was of German birth, but her great- grandmother was of English birth. His father, subsequent to settlement in Watertown, moved to Hounsfield, where his wife died, in 1854, he returning to South Hadley, Massachusetts, where he died in 1872.

To Mr. and Mrs. William Howard were born two ehil- dren, Charles W. and Frankie M. Howard. The youngest died April 26, 1876.

Mr. Howard is numbered among the active business men of Watertown city, and with limited opportunities for an education while young, and pecuniarily unaided, he has met the obstacles of life, and accumulated sufficient eompe- tence for the comfort of himself and family.

. An engraving of his residence, and the portraits of him- self and wife, will be found on another page of this work.

EGBERT D. WHITNEY

was born in the village of Watertown, February 19, 1822. He was the third son of a family of nine children of Job Whitney and Sylva Delano. His father came to Water- town from Vermont when only ten years old with his father, Job Whitney, Sr., as early as 1802, when the whole country was a wilderness.

His father was a farmer by occupation, and met the ob- staeles of pioneer life with his large family, giving them as much of an opportunity for an education as his means would permit. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was in the battle of Sacket's Harbor. Besides his oceupa- tion as a farmer he engaged in lumbering, shipping some away to Oswego.

The subject of this sketch remained at home, attending school winters, until about the time he was of age, and then went into company with Daniel Smith for one year, making briek. At the elose of which time he began business alone, and has continued the same, that of making brick, and in the same place, until the present time. An engraving of his residence and surroundings, under the portraits of him- self and wife, will be found on another page of this work.

At the age of twenty-nine, in the year 1851, he married Miss Ann Safford, daughter of Joseph Safford, of Oswego county, of New England descent.

They have four children, viz. : Juliett E., Frank C., Etta, and Lillie B. Whitney, living. One son, Egbert A., the eldest, lived to be twenty-one years of age, and died July 8, 1873.

Mr. Whitney is a Republican in politics, but never takes any active part, except to cast his vote.

Ile and his wife are both members of the Methodist

Episcopal church of Watertown, and contribute of their means for the support of both church and school.

His grandfather coming into the country as one of its pioneers, and his father being young, the incidents con- neeted with the first settlements of the town received through his father, and to some extent experienced by him- self, are still fresh in his memory.

Mr. Whitney is classed among the active business men of his day, and pecuniarily has made his business a success. The result of his labors may be seen in connection with almost every brick building in the garden city of Water- town.

PLINY MONROE.

The subject of this sketch was born in Delhi, Delaware county, New York, July 17, 1804. He was eldest son of Noah and Louisa Monroe. His mother was of German birth, having emigrated to America when only six years of age with her father and mother. In 1811 Noah Monroe and his family removed to Delaware eounty, and settled in the town of Rodman, this county. Pliny remained at home until he was some sixteen years of age, and then went to live with Egbert Champlin, his brother-in-law, until he was of age, and at the age of twenty-one was to receive a colt and pair of steers. He served his time, but only received the eolt. He then struck out into the busy world for himself, and started farming. At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Samantha, daughter of Elihu Ball, of Rutland, but formerly of New Jersey, and of English descent. Soon after his marriage he purchased a small farm, and, unaided and alone, by judicious manage- ment and economy, added property to property and aere to aere until he at one time owned some three hundred acres of land. He and his wife have secured sufficient compe- tence to place them beyond the appearance of want.

In the year 1864 they removed to Copenhagen, and re- maining there only three years, removed to Watertown city, where they now reside, having erected a very fine residence, an engraving of which, underneath the portraits of himself and wife, will be found on another page of this work, showing the result of their toil and labor, and show- ing, also, what has resulted from a small beginning of only one crown in their possession at the time of their marriage.

To Mr. and Mrs. Monroe were born Dennis D., Morris C., Marcellus, and Francelia A. Monroe. All are living except the eldest, Dennis D., who died at the age of twenty- two in the year 1850.

Mr. Monroe is a Republican in politics, and looks as well to the principles as to the men who represent them when he easts his vote. He is now in his seventy-fourth year, having resided in the country over threescore years. His wife is now in her seventieth year, being a native of the county, having been born October 9, 1807. They cele- brated their golden wedding July 17, 1877, on which occa- sion there were present representatives of four generations.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

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