History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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 94

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Mr. Haven is among the few surviving early settlers of Ellisburg, and it may be said of him that few have lived a more active life, and none more esteemed in the community. His wife died June 7, 1847. The subject of this sketch has always lived in Ellisburg, on the spot where he was born. He was married, Sept. 23, 1857, to Mary Freeman, daughter of Elder Joshua Freeman, by whom he has had two children ; one died in infancy, and Clarence F., born April 25, 1862. In polities Mr. Haven was first a Whig, then Republican. Though not a member of any church, he has been an attendant upon the Baptist church, of which his wife is a member.

Of the many good farmers of Ellisburg, few, if any, have been more successful than Mr. Haven. Thorough in all his undertakings, prompt and upright in all his dealings, no one has better deserved success. To the original home- stcad farm he has added other adjoining lands, until he is now the possessor of over 600 acres, all in a body.

NAHUM C. HOUGHTON, ESQ.

Nahum Houghton, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Marlborough, Vt., Feb. 6, 1790. He was married to Mary M. Brown Nov. 3, 1816. Five sons and two daughters were the issue of this marriage, viz. : Algernon Sidney, physician, born July 21, 1817 ; died Nov. 21, 1874, in Belleville. Rev. James Dunbar, born July 5, 1820, principal for thirteen years in the Union

SOPHRONA HAVEN.

MRS. E. B. HAVEN .

LUTHER HAVEN.

E. B. HAVEN .

C. F. HAVEN .

BANTA, PHOTO.

OLD MILL AND GOODENOUGH CHURCH.

CHARLES GOODENOUGH.

RES. of MRS. G. W. GREENE, ELLISBURG, JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Academy of Belleville, also of the Adams Institute, Oneida and Carthage academics; died at Carthage Oct. 8, 1874. Lucy L., born May 1, 1822, wife of Alcander Dickinson, living at Belleville. Nahum C., subject of this sketch, born Jan. 8, 1825. Charles M., born March 1, 1827; deccascd. Nancy M., born Oct. 20, 1829, widow of George Fletcher, living at Rural Hill. Amour De Val- ance, born June 23, 1836 ; died Aug. 7, 1838.

Mr. Houghton's father was among the earliest settlers of Ellisburg, and was called out at the time of the battle of Big Sandy Crcek, but arrived just too late to take part in the engagement. He died December 17, 1845.

The subject of this sketch was born in Belleville, and has always lived there. He received his education in the dis- triet school and at the Union Academy. He remained at home, helping on the farm, till he was twenty-one years of age. For six or seven years thereafter he devoted himself principally to teaching vocal music. The four years follow- ing he was clerk in Alcander Dickinson's dry-goods store. Ile then entered into business on his own account, and carried on the dry-goods trade for seventeen years. He was postmaster for thirteen years of that time, and overseer of the poor for three years. At the present time Mr. Houghton is justice of the peace, and has served in that capacity for the last two years. At the same time he carries on a fire and life insurance and general collection agency. In politics, Mr. Houghton has acted with the Whig and Republican parties. He has been a warm friend of education and religion, and has always contributed his share of means for the support of the churches and schools of his neighborhood. For two years he has been trustee and treasurer of the Union Academy, in which institution he has always taken a decp interest. He was married Oct. 27, 1858, to Marietta Warrener, daughter of Walter and Eliza Warrener. They have no children.

JAMES F. CONVERSE

was the youngest son of Thomas and Lydia Converse, and the youngest but one of fourteen children, twelve of whom are still living. Both his grandfather, whose name was David, and his father were natives of Belchertown, Mass. The grandfather moved at an carly day to Bridgewater, Oneida county, N. Y., and he and his wife died there. His father married in Bridgewater Lydia Stratton, and inoved into Ellisburg, Jefferson County, in March, 1835, having purchased of Azariah Doane his farm of 235 acres, lying near Woodville, north of the north fork of Sandy creek. The house in which the family lived is still standing, the first house north of the iron bridge, and is still owned by the subject of this sketch. With the exception of tlirce ycars, in which the family lived in Belleville, they lived in Woodville. The father died there Sept. 24, 1858, the mother having died in Belleville June 18 of the same year.

The subject of this sketch was born October 2, 1825, in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N. Y. Hc prepared for college at the Union Academy, Belleville, and graduated at Hamil- ton College at the age of twenty-three. In 1848 he bought the homestead farm, and has worked it ever since. He first

engaged, in company with James Brodie and George S. D. Hungerford, in the importation of blooded stook in 1855, since which time, mainly in company with James Brodie, he has continued such importations. Ayrshire cattle have been the chief feature of their importations, though it has also embraced Leicester shecp, short-horns, Yorkshire swine, and Shetland ponics. His herd of Ayrshire cattle at the present time numbers 100 head. His conveniences for keeping stock are not surpassed by any in the country. In 1874 he built his large barn, 165 by 45 fect, with basement stable under the whole. In the following year he built his residence, one of the finest farm-houses in the county.

Mr. Converse was married November 12, 1857, to Marietta Bull, daughter of Alvah and Louisa Bull. Their children are Frank A. and Marietta May. Mrs. Converse died Nov. 18, 1865.

Mr. Converse was again married Dec. 11, 1866, to Adclia C. Hopper, daughter of Samuel and Betsey Hopper. Two children-George Henry and Clara J .- are the issue of this marriage.

In politics Mr. Converse is Republican. He has been a member of the Congregational church since he was ten years of age, and of the Congregational church at Wood- ville since its organization. His four sisters and seven brothers, living, are members of either the Congregational or Presbyterian churches. Mr. Converse was prominent in organizing the Ellisburg Agricultural Society,-a society which has been in existence about thirty years.

JAMES BRODIE

was born in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Oct. 14, 1798, the second son of Robert and Margaret Brodic. Robert, his eldest brother, died at the age of twenty-two, in Scotland. His younger brother, David, died at the age of twenty-one, in Scotland. His father died when he was nine years of age, and he lived with his mother till he was twenty- one. He then commenced farming on his own account, at Barr Hill, Ayrshire. He was married Dec. 25, 1819, to Margaret Brodie, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Brodie. Nine children-seven sons and two daughters-have been born to them, viz., Robert, born Oct. 19, 1820, a farmer, living in Henderson ; Margaret, born Dec. 25, 1823, wife of George Maxon Burdick, living in Watertown; Elizabeth, born July 28, 1824, widow of Alexander Faird, living at Woodville; James, Jr., born June 12, 1826, died in Cali- fornia, Nov., 1850 ; Hugh, born Jan. 1, 1830, married to Annie Jonas, and assisting his father in carrying on the home farmn ; David, born Feb. 3, 1835, married to Maria Jane Huggins, and living in Iowa; John, born July 28, 1838, died Jan., 1871 ; William, born Dec. 25, 1840, living with his father; Alexander, born Aug. 28, 1842, married to Martha Ellsworth, and living in Clare, Clare Co., Mich.

Mr. Brodie emigrated to this country in 1847, and settled on the farm he still owns and occupies in Ellisburg, consist- ing of 157 acres, bought of Samuel Haekley. Acting upon the belief that it costs no more to feed a good animal than it docs a poor one, Mr. Brodie, while thorough in all branches of farming, has paid more particular attention to the importation, improvement, and raising blooded stock.

378

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

He imported the first Ayrshire stock which came into Jef- ferson County. His son David, twice, and his son Hugh, eight times, have crossed the Atlantic for the express pur- pose of importing blooded stock. Ayrshire cattle, York- shire swine, and Leicester sheep have been the principal brecds in which he has dcalt. Without detracting from what others in the county have done towards improvement in its stock, it will not be saying too much to state that none have done more than Mr. Brodie.

In politics Mr. Brodie has voted the Republican ticket, though he is no strong partisan, believing in voting for the best men without reference to party. In Scotland both Mr. and Mrs. Brodie were members of the Reformed Presbyte- rian church. They were both members of the Presbyterian church at Belleville, but are now attendants upon the Con- gregational church at Woodville.

LAVIAS FILLMORE

was born in Middletown, Vt., Aug. 1, 1811. In October, 1816, his parents moved, and settled in Ellisburg, on the same place where he now lives. His father, whose name was Ethni, died in Boylston, Oswego Co., March 25, 1844. The mother lived twenty-eight years after her husband's death with her son (subject of this sketch), and died, April 7,1872, at the age of ninety-four years. Lavias was the only son of nine children, four sisters deceased, viz. : Ru- netta, wife of Elijah Houghton ; Mariam, wife of Stephen W. Hackley ; Harley Fillmore ; Alzina, wife of Thurston Baxter; and four living, viz. : Harriet, living at Rural Hill ; Adelia, wife of R. Rudd, living in Boylston; Lo- disca, wife of Cyrus Woodruff, living at Sandy Creek ; Lavina, wife of Mr. Farmer, living in Lorraine.

In March, 1816, the father first came to Ellisburg, having purchased the land of Pierrepont, 25 acres, all woods, and built a log cabin. When the family moved in, in the fall, there was no floor; stumps served for chairs, and bed- steads were constructed of poles. The father and son cleared and worked the farm together up to the year 1841, when the father sold the farm to his son, having purchased 500 acres in Boylston. Mr. Fillmore was married, Sept. 1, 1836, to Marietta Thayer, daughter of James and Fanny Thayer. Six children were the issue of this marriage, viz., H. H. Fillmore, born Nov. 9, 1837 ; Orson B., born Aug. 7, 1839, died July 27, 1843 ; Lucy Helen, born Jan. 23, 1843, dicd June 15, 1847 ; Ferry De Forest, born July 19, 1846, died Dec. 11, 1855; M. M. Fillmore, born Oet. 18, 1848. H. H. Filhorc married Mary Kemp, Nov. 27, 1866. Two children were born to them, viz., Menzo E. and Emma Marietta. M. M. Fillmore was married, April 16, 1872, to Jennie Chamberlain. Arthur M. is their only child. After the death of his father Lavias paid up a large balance due on the Boylston land, which had been left a legacy to his sisters. Besides the "home" farm of 256 acres, Mr. Fillmore is the owner of a farm of 62 acres, also the " Hemmingway" farm of 2472 acres, which is worked by his son, H. H. Fillmore. He has also a half- interest in another farm of 90 acres.

This large property, with houses and outbuildings to correspond, and which are among the best in the county,

is the result of a life of unremitting industry and economy, coupled with strict honesty and integrity in all his business transactions. Few men have been blessed with better health and a stronger constitution, and consequently few can be found who have " put in" more " hard days' work" than has Mr. Fillmore. Though not a member of any church, he has always contributed to the building and sup- port of the churches in his township. In politics, he is a Democrat, but never a seeker for office. Thoroughly de- voted to his family, a kind and obliging neighbor, a good citizen, no one more deserves the respect and csteem in which he is held in the community.

ALVAH BULL

was born in Huntington, Chittendon Co., Vt., Feb. 5, 1803. His grandfather, Chrispin Bull, was the third settler in the town of Danby, Vt., an account of whose life was published in a history of that town, by J. C. Williams.

His father, Elijah, died in Danby in 1848. His mother, whose Christian name was Eunice, died in the same place in 1868. His sister Annie, widow of Greene Packer, lives in Adams, this county. Chrispin Bull, a farmer, living in Ellisburg, and Clark Bull, living in Wallingford, Rutland Co., Vt., are brothers.

When Alvah was two years of age his parents moved to Danby, Vt. He remained with them till he was twenty- nine years of age. In the fall of 1831 he came to Ellis- burg, and bought, where he now lives, 147 acres of land; 54 acres of Scth Brewster, and 93 acres of Seth W. Brew- ster. Returning to Vermont, he was married, Feb. 11, 1832, to Louisa Packer, daughter of James and Mary Packer, of Guilford, Windham Co., Vt., and on the 1st of March following moved on to his farm. While in Ver- mont, from 1827 to 1832, he worked at blacksmithing, since which time he has followed farming. Six children have been born to them, viz., James A., living in Minne- apolis, Minn .; Marietta, deceased wife of James F. Con- verse ; Eunice, wife of Wm. Mathers, living in Henderson ; George E., married to Mary Brimmer, living with his father, and helping to carry on the homestead farm; Frances, wife of M. D. Swan, living at Belleville ; and Henry Clay, married to Maria Edmonds, living at Collingwood, Meeker Co., Minn. Mr. Bull has served six years as assessor and one year as supervisor of the town. In politics first a Whig, then a Republican. Of Quaker descent, throughout his life he has endeavored to live up to the motto " honesty is the best policy." His wife has been for many years a member of the Baptist church at Belleville, and Mr. Bull has always contributed his proportion of means towards sus- taining the church. A great " home man," fond of chil- dren, an accommodating neighbor, no one in his community is more deserving of the respect and esteem in which he is held.

FREDERICK WILLIAMS.

This gentleman was the third child of Alexander and Rhoda Williams. His grandfather, whose name was Oth- niel, was born in Providence, R. I., and was one of the

SAMUEL GRIGGS .

MRS. SAMUEL GRIGGS.

OLD HOME Of SAMUEL GRIGGS, NOW OWNED BY NEWELL GRIGGS & MR. & MRS. L. W. ABBOTT. MENDERSOM. JEFFERSON CO TY

HON.GEORGE BABBITT.

MRS. GEORGE BABBITT.

RESIDENCE OF HON. GEO. BABBITT, HENDERSON , JEFFERSON CO., N.Y.

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

379

first settlers in Chester, Vt. His grandmother's maiden name was Field, a descendant of the early settlers of Providence. His father was born in Chester, Vt., April 21, 1794. In 1818 he came to Ellisburg and bought of Nathan Lapham 154 acres of land, situated two miles west of the village of Belleville, all woods. Remaining about one year, he returned to Vermont, and was married to Rhoda Reed, of Rockingham, Vt. After their marriage he moved on to the farm above named, and occupied it till his death, which occurred April 21, 1876. Their children were as follows : Lucena, wife of Amos Randall, of Lorraine ; Lucretia, wife of Joseph Randall, of Belleville ; Frederick, subject of this sketch; Arrosina, unmarried, living in Belleville ; Laurilla Lestina, widow of Frank Tecar, killed at the second battle of Bull Run; Abigail A., wife of Fayette M. Wise; H. H. Williams, married to Ophelia Clark, and living two miles west of Belleville; Mary D., unmarried, living in Belleville.

The subject of this sketch was born at the homestead, March 17, 1828. He lived there until he was twenty- four years of age. Besides attendance at the common dis- triet school, he attended the Union Academy, off and on, for four years. He was married March 9, 1853, to Cor-

delia Swan, daughter of Dewey and Polly (whose maiden name was Rounds) Swan. His wife died June 27, 1871. Frank M. is their only child.

He was again married March 23, 1873, to Marionette Swan, sister of his first wife. Mason Swan, who died at the age of sixteen; M. D. Swan, living near Belleville ; Daniel M. Swan, living at Leavenworth, Kansas, are brothers of Mrs. Williams.

Mr. Williams first bought and settled on a 70-acre lot about two miles east of Belleville in 1852. In 1861 he sold it and bought 63 aeres where he now lives, one mile east of Belleville. In 1866 he first engaged in growing peas and beans for the seed trade, and the business has yearly increased upon his hands, and has been very success- ful.

In 1872 he built his present residence, a fine brick structure, which, with its furnishing and surroundings, is one of the pleasantest homes in the township. Mr. Wil- liams has always taken great interest in the Union Acade- my, and has been active in the recent effort to endow that institution. In politics he is Republican, and has been a member of the Baptist church in Belleville sinee lie was fifteen years of age.

HENDERSON.

THIS town comprises number six of the "eleven towns," and is the most westerly in the county, if we except the Galloo and Stony islands, which belong to Hounsfield. It was formed, with its present limits, February 17, 1806, from Ellisburg.

The first town-meeting was held at the house of Reuben Putnam, March 11, 1806, at which Jesse Hopkins was chosen supervisor ; Mark Hopkins, clerk ; Lodowick Salis- bury, Daniel Spencer, and Emory Osgood, assessors ; Elijah Williams, constable and collector ; John B. Carpenter, Samuel Hubbard, poor-masters ; Marvel Danley, Asa Smith, and Anthony Sprague, commissioners highways; George W. Clark, Willes Fellows, and Jedediah MeCumber, fence- viewers ; Reuben Putnam, pound-master ; Israel Thomas, James Barney, Levi Scofield, Thomas Drury, Calvin Bishop, Robert Farrell, Benjamin Barney, John B. Carpenter, William White, Simeon Porter, path-masters.

The successive supervisors have been as follows : 1806- 10, Jesse Hopkins ; 1811, James Henderson, Jr .; 1812, Asa Smith ; 1813, Mark Hopkins; 1814-15, Asa Smith ; 1816, Mark Hopkins ; 1817, John S. Porter; 1818, Noah Tubbs ; 1819, Asa Smith ; 1820-24, Noah Tubbs ; 1825 -26, Caleb Harris ; 1827, Jonathan Bullard ; 1828-31, Caleb Harris; 1832, Peter N. Cushman ; 1833-34, Caleb

Harris ; 1835-37, Peter N. Cushman ; 1838-40, David Montague ; 1841, George Jeffers ; 1842-43, John Carpen- ter; 1844, Joseph A. Montague; 1845, William McNeil ; 1846-51, Henry Green, Jr. ; 1852, Washington Bullard ; 1853-55, Henry Green, Jr. ; 1856, William P. Davis ; 1857-58, Clark Auchard ; 1859-62, William Dobson ; 1863, Truman O. Whitney ; 1864-65, George G. Whit- ney ; 1866, William Dobson ; 1867-68, Albert A. Davis ; 1869, L. B. Simmons; 1870, A. A. Davis ; 1871, William Dobson ; 1872-75, Leonard Seaton ; 1876-77, John Chap- man.

In 1811-12 it was voted that Canada thistles should be mowed in the old of the moon, in June, July, and August. Penalty, $5; one-half to the complainant, one-half to the overseers of poor. Wolf bounties of $10 in 1807 to 1815, except in 1809, when $5 were offered for wolves, wild-cats, and panthers.

This town fell to the share of William Henderson, of New York, one of the four who bought the eleven towns of Constable, and from him it derived its name. Ile was accustomed to spend a part of each summer here for several years, and remained interested in the title of the town till his death.

There was an ancient portage from the head of Hender-

380

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

son bay to Stony ereek aeross this town, by which the ex- posure of passing Stony Point, which forms a eape difficult to navigate with small boats, was avoided. At the head of the bay there is said to be a trace, thought to be the re- mains of a kind of wharf or landing. The evidenees of aboriginal occupation were noticed at one or two places in this town, and near an ancient trench inclosure there is said to have been found a golden cross, about two inches long, and furnished with a ring to be worn on the neck.

On Six-Town Point can yet be seen the traces of an old fort, supposed to have been built by the French. It is square, with bastions at the angles, and its location is peeu- liarly adapted for defense, commanding as it does the en- trance to the bay. Six-Town Point is a narrow neck, or peninsula, extending into the lake on the west side of Hen- derson bay, and in high water becomes an island. Its con- tinuance forms several islands, to the west of which lie the group including the Galloo and Stony islands.

More than half the boundary of Henderson is formed by the waters of Henderson bay and Lake Ontario. Big and Little Stony creeks flow through the town, the former hav- ing at an early day furnished motive power for numerous mills and manufactories. Several are yet located upon its banks, prineipally at Henderson village. At its mouth is a harbor of easy aeeess, though not as safe as others. It was at one time hoped the Government would establish a port here. Several vessels were built at a ship-yard which was located immediately below the bridge crossing Big Stony creek, near its mouth. In 1808 the first one was built, and was capable of carrying a considerable eargo of grain. She was floated out light, and afterwards used in the lake trade. Dr. Barney, now of Henderson village, recollects seeing the men at work on her, but does not now remember who built her.

The surface of the town is much diversified. In the southwestern portion the land is low, but little elevated above the surface of the lake, and very fertile. Forming a ridge in its rear, and extending around to Henderson bay, is the ancient lake beach, rocky, and for some distance cov- ered by a very thin soil. At Henderson bay the shores are higher and more abrupt, the basin being nearly oceupied by the water. A rolling territory stretehes off to the south and east until the bluffs of Big Stony creek are reached. This stream has cut a deep channel through the liniestone rock, and aside from its interest to the geologist it presents many picturesque and attractive features to the seeker after . the beauties of Nature. East of Henderson village is a deep hollow, wherein a pond has been formed by an ancient beaver dam, the creek here spreading out and eovering an extent of perhaps three hundred acres. Passing a ridge between Big and Little Stony creeks, we reach the latter, which is but a small stream, yet has furnished power for several mills in the past. In the southeast part of the town the stream passes through Six-Town pond, which, like the point of the same name, received its appellation from the town to which it belongs .. In other portions of the town are found traces of ponds which formerly existed, and the remains of dams built long years since by the beaver, which at an early day inhabited this region in vast numbers.

On Stony Point, the extreme western projection of Hen-

derson, is a light-house, built in 1837, an appropriation of $3000 having been made March 3 of that year. The lake-shore from the mouth of Stony creek northward and eastward is rocky, and free from bays of any kind between there and Henderson bay. When a steady west gale is blowing, the effect of the rolling waves and dashing breakers is most picturesque. In the other direction from Stony ereek the shore consists of almost barren hills of sand, in the rear of which lie in many places extensive marshes. The wide, sandy beach is beaten hard by the waters in the ebb and flow of centuries, and a drive along it is a source of much enjoyment. Away to the westward stretches

"The sea, the sea, the open sea ! The blue, the fresh, the ever free !"

and in clear weather the south shore is visible in a low, dim outline, appearing of nearly the same eolor as the water. Lake Ontario is a noble sheet of water, and many of its choicest beauties of shore scenery are to be found in Hen- derson. In fact, there is probably nothing upon its shores surpassing in loveliness the beautiful Henderson harbor. This harbor, for extent, safety, and facility of access, has not its superior on the lake. This eireumstance gave value to the township, in the opinion of the early proprietors, and had a beginning been properly made and directed with suitable energy, the place might at this time have been an important commercial point.

The town was surveyed into lots, in 1801, by Benjamin Wright, of Rome, the plan of subdivision being similar to that of Adams, into lots and quarters. In 1805 lot No. 20, near the present village of Henderson Harbor, was sur- veyed into twenty lots, or four ranges, of ten lots each, for the purpose of a village.

The town of Henderson began to settle, under the agency of Asher Miller, of Rutland, about 1802, the land books showing that Thomas Clark, Samuel Stewart, Philip Cru- mett, John Stafford, and Peter Cramer had taken up lands in this town, to the extent of 1195 acres, on October 26 previous. Moses Barret, Willian Petty, Daniel Spencer, Captain Jolin Bishop and sons, Calvin,* Luther, Asa, and Sylvester, Jedediah and James McCumber, Samuel Hub- bard,; Elijah Williams, Levi Scofield, William Johnson, David Bronson, John and Marvel Danley, Andrew Dal- rymple, Luman Peck, Jonathan Crapo, George W. Clark, Thomas Drury, Anthony Sprague, Daniel Forbes, Emory Osgood, and many others settled within two or three years from the opening of settlement, being mostly emigrants from New England.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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