USA > New York > Oswego County > History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 106
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116
Lot 94 was settled by Joseph Myers, who remained but a short time, and returned to the east. The first settle- ment on lot 78 was made in 1806, by Daniel Hall, a native of Herkimer county. The following year he sold to Joseph Turner, who occupied the place until his death, since when it has been in possession of his son Russel. Samuel Jacks
purchased, in 1805, a farm on lot 89, the possession of which he retained but a short time. This place was owned as early as 1805 by Solomon Madison, whose descendants still retain the title to it. Merritt and Justin Hall, brothers, early located on lot 103. They came from Connecticut in a wagon, drawn by a yoke of oxen and a horse hitched on before, bringing along a supply of pewter buttons to defray their traveling expenses. This place was sold to Simon Phillips, and by him to E. Robinson; it was afterwards purchased by I. Parkhurst, its present owner.
George Cyrenius located on lot 90 in 1806, and the place has remained in possession of descendants of the family until recently. In the spring of this year, Paul Shelden, accompanied by his son, Paul, Jr., then sixteen years of age, came in on foot from Herkimer county, making the journey in three days, and commenced improve- ments on one hundred acres of land, situated on the State road, within the present city limits, which he had pur- chased for three dollars and seventy-five cents per acre the year previous. The father and son, during the summer, cleared two acres and forty rods of ground, which was planted to corn and potatoes. After harvesting a splendid crop in the fall, they returned to Herkimer. The winter following, the family, consisting of himself and wife and eleven children, came back, bringing with them a cow, a hog, and a pair of steers. Mr. S. lived on the place until his death. Paul, Jr., early located on lot 41, where he now resides, being the only surviving member of the family.
He informs us that the settlers considered themselves well accommodated when a grist-mill was put up at Mexico, as previous to this the nearest one was at Camden, Oneida county. When the meal was manufactured at home, one method much in vogue was as follows:
" The pioneer felled a good solid maple-tree at a conve- nient point near the front door of the log mansion, cutting off the top of the stump as squarely and smoothly as pos- sible. He then cut a hole in the top of the stump as deep as could be made with an axe, and as near round as might be. This being done, a few good coals were placed in the cavity and the hole burned out smoothly and evenly until it was of the proper shape and size. After this the propri- etor, who could now almost boast that he owned a corn- mill, with a peculiar tool seraped out the charred and burned wood until the hole aforesaid presented a smooth and even surface, and was about twelve or fourteen inches deep and ten inches across. Then a spring-pole was erected, to which a wooden pounder, nicely rounded on the lower end, was attached. All being thus in readiness, the miller seated himself upon the stump astride the hole, which, being filled about a third full of corn, he proceeded to pound until it was sufficiently broken and crushed to make his johnny-cake."
In 1807, Dr. Deodatus Clark, from Onondaga county, located in what was afterwards the town of Scriba, but is now Oswego city. He was the first physician who had any considerable practice in town.
Hiram Warner, a wheelwright, was the pioneer on the farm now owned by J. Randall, as early as 1807. Eph- raim Parkhurst settled on lot 70 in 1807. His brother Daniel was a pioncer on lot 66. Three sons of the former,
414
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Nelson, Rufus, and Charles, also two sons of the latter, Isaac and Sylvester, are yet living in town. Silas Bacon, a soldier in the war of 1812, settled on lot 16, where he re- sided until his death. The place is now owned by his grandson, George Bacon. As early as 1810, Geo. Potter had commenced improvements and lived in a log house on lot 88. He was accidentally shot at a training prior to the war of 1812.
Other early settlers were Eliphalet Parkhurst, on lot 108; Holden and Daniel Corp, on lot 17; Heury Potter, on lot 90 ; Harvey and Abel Butler, on lot 31; Chapman Morgan, on lot 43; James Farley, on lot 44; Reuben Seely, on lot 95 ; Samuel Frazier, on lot 105 ; Daniel Burt, son of William, on lot 96; Aaron Parkhurst, a short dis- tance east of the corners; William Woolson, on lot 94; also Erastus Stone, son of Hicl, took up a large tract on lots 23, 24, and 44. We also find the following, whose names should appear on the roll of pioneers : Rev. Samuel Baldwin, T. S. Morgan, Daniel Du Bois, Alfred Sabins, Joshua Miner, Hezekiah Lathrop, John Shapley, Orlo Steele, Joseph F. Sweet, Philo Fowler, J. Meacham, Peter D. Hngunin, Amasa Newton, Mr. Pickett, and Mr. Whitney.
THE FIRST SCHOOL AND POST-OFFICE.
The first school-house was erccted in this town, in 1807, a short distance west of Scriba Corners, on land then owned by Wm. Burt, and now by his grandson William. It was a log structure, Que and a half stories high, and very small. The seating accommodation was limited to five short benches, made of slabs, and one chair. The first school was kept here by a Mr. Edgecomb, who lived in the school-house with his wife and two children. For two summers Mr. E. labored here imparting instruction to the aspiring youth. In the spring of 1809 a larger and more commodious school-house, accommodating perhaps sixty pupils, was built on the four corners north of Scriba. For a number of years the only school in town was kept in it. Others among the pioneer teachers were James Taggart, John and Francis Dean, Levi Reed, Hezekiah Lathrop, Wm. Ras- mussen, and a Mr. Loomis. Among surviving pupils of these schools are Mrs. P. Potter ; Philo, Wm., and Anson Stone ; John and Daniel Burt ; Mrs. A. Parkhurst, James and Mrs. Church, Polly Burt, Mrs. S. Adams, Mrs. T. Hall; Russell, Benjamin C., Morris, and Sylvester Turner ; Alvin, Cyrenius, Nelson, Rufus, and Isaac Parkhurst.
The first post-office was established at a very early day, and received the name of Scriba post-office, which it has ever since retained. Hiel Stone became the first post- master, which office he held for many years. This post- office was on the old mail-route between Oswego and Utica, and the only mail-carrier for a long time was Joseph Wor- den, who made the journey on horseback.
MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.
The first marriage was that of John Masters and Elsie Baldwin, in 1806. It is believed that this ceremony was performed by Rev. Samuel Baldwin, the bride's father. The second marriage was that of Walter Reed and Susan Morrow, who were joined in wedlock in 1807, by Wm. Burt, justice of the peace. The parties came on foot from
near the lake-shore to his house, a distance of about two miles. At the conclusion of the ceremony the wife re- turned home, and the husband, having urgent business in Utica, continued the journey. The frequency of matrimo- nial alliances was regulated by the influx of the marriage- able, and it is to be regretted that no record has been kept by justice or minister.
The first cemetery was that known as the Burt burying- ground, at Scriba Corners, and the first interment therein was that of a son of Hiram Warner, in 1807, this being the first death in town. Phoebe Pickett, George Potter, Fannie Shelden, Mrs. Joseph Sweet, and several members of the Whitney and Lathrop families were among the early burials here. This place was succeeded for mortuary pur- poses by the Worden burying-ground, which was used as early as 1820.
Early roads were rare, usually consisting of an enlarged foot-path at first, but keeping range with the advance of other improvements. The first one in this town was the old State road, the main thoroughfare from Oswego to Utica, which became passable as early as 1812. At this time it ran north from Scriba Corners, and thence east on the middle road. It has since been used as a plank-road.
Much more might be written without our being able to make the reader realize half the privations and difficulties of the early inhabitants; yet that very simplicity of fare and life laid the foundation of great vitality. Food was made of the squirrel that depredated upon the growing crop, and the housewife found the gooseberry, cranberry, and wild-plum no poor substitute for the sauce and pre- serves of the cast. Sickness was added to hardship, and the fever and ague kept them alternately shivering and burning throughout the summer. The women did their carding by hand, and colored with bark of the butternut. Summer clothing was made from the fibre of flax, and for males homespun was the only wear.
Orrin Stone and Aaron Parkhurst kept the first store, in 1819. It was situated a short distance from the log tavern, and for at least twenty-five years was the only store in town. It was a small frame building, the first in the vicinity, one story in height, and a "pocket concern," as it has been termed, in every respect.
VILLAGES.
Scriba Corners (Scriba post-office) is a small village with a population of about three hundred, and is located near the centre of the town, on the plank-road, four miles east of the city of Oswego. It contains two stores, two physicians, -Drs. A. C. Taylor and G. W. Snyder,-one church (Methodist Episcopal), a school, a cooper- and blacksmith- shop, and other minor interests.
This place commenced with Stone's tavern. W. Wool- son kept a shoe-shop and Amos Grafton a blacksmith-shop here at an carly day.
North Scriba is a hamlet and station on the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburgh railroad, and is situated north- east of the centre of the town. It contains a post-office, two stores, a harness-shop, a blacksmith-shop, a school, and two churches (Methodist and Baptist). The population is about two hundred.
RUSSELL TURNER.
RES. OF RUSSELL TURNER SCAIRA newErn MAN V
PHILO H. BURNHAM.
LYDIA A.BURNHAM .
( ADDRESS OSWEGO. )
415
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
South Seriba is a hamlet situated in the southeast part of the town, and has a post-office, grocery, saw-mill, and blacksmith-shop.
Lansing, situated two and one-half miles southwest of Seriba Corners, contains a post-office, a grocery, a harness- shop, a church (Methodist), a school, and about twenty-five houses.
CIVIL HISTORY.
From the old town-book it appears that the first town- meeting in Scriba was held March 3, 1812, at the house of Hiel Stone, agreeable to an act of the legislature passed April 5, 1811. The following officers were chosen : Cap- tain Henry Potter, supervisor; John King, town clerk ; Samuel Tiffany, Joshua Miner, and Hiel Stone, assessors ; Samuel B. Morrow, collector; Hiel Stone and Walter Read, poor-masters ; Joshua Miner, Walter Read, and Hiel Stone, commissioners of highways ; Samuel B. Morrow and Wm. Coe, constables ; and Orrin Stone, pound-master.
It was further voted at this meeting,-
" First. That a lawful fence shall be four and one-half feet high, and well wrought from bottom to top.
" Second. That Canada thistles shall not be left standing on any man's or woman's land after three days' notice is given by any person. Any landholder neglecting this for- feits the sum of five dollars to the good people of this town, to be recovered with costs.
" Third. That any wolf caught within this town by any inhabitant of the town, and if said person kill it, he or they shall be entitled to the sum of ten dollars each wolf."
The following is a list of the principal officers of the town since its organization, with the time of their election :
Date. Supervisors.
1813 ... Henry Potter. 1814 ...
1815 ... Samuel Tiffany. 1816 ...
1817 ... T. S. Morgan.
1818 ...
1819 ...
44
1820 ...
1821 ... 44
1822 ... 44
1823 ... =
1824 ... Peter D. Hugunin.
1825 ... T. S. Morgan. 1826 ... 1827 ...
1828 ... Joseph Turner. 1829 ... ‘ 16 1830 ... T. S. Morgan. 1831 ... Charles King. 1832 ... Peter S. Smith. 1833 ... « =
Ambrose Morgan. Orlo Steele, Jesse Cook. Geo. Wales, Sulomon Mattison. James Church, Daniel Carde.
P. F. Persons. W. Barnes.
John C. Hugunio.
James Charch. W. Rice.
J. W. Patten. Daniel Allen.
James Cortis. Ambrose Morgan.
Robert Simpsoo. John W. Smith.
Juhn Dunham, Wm. Congduo, Amos Kingsbury, and John Remington.
1849 ...
1850 ... Thomas Askew. 1951 ...
[852 ... "
1853 ... Daniel Jones.
1854 ...
Robert Simpson.
Dale.
Supervisors,
1855 ... Wm. It. Wales.
Wm. Cungdon.
Charles Lumb.
1857 ...
1858 ...
=
Robert Simpson.
1860 ...
Joel Baker.
1861 ...
V. Il. Burch.
1862 ...
Robert Simpson.
1863 ...
Wm. Congdon.
1864 ...
=
1865 ...
16
=
Wm. E. Blossom.
1866 ...
"
Robert Simpson.
1867 ...
=
Wm. Congdon.
1868 ... Juel A. Baker.
Amos Kingsbury.
1869 ... Robert. Simpson.
W. E. Blossom.
1870 ...
Robert Simpson, Jacob Whitmarsh,
J. E. Vincent.
1871 ... Jocl A. Baker.
Wm. Congdon and Silas Haker.
1872 ... Juho B. Sewel.
Silas Baker.
1873 ... . 44
Jacob Whitmarsh.
1874 ... JI. L. Hart.
I. R. Parkhurst.
1875 ... John B. Sewel.
E. J. Lawton.
1876 ... HI. L. Hart.
Joseph Otis.
1877 ...
=
J. Newton Peck.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Contemporary with settlement begins the history of re- ligion. It is needless for us to say that the efforts with which our forefathers aided every means of mental or moral instruction have been greatly blessed. They labored for the right, for their own good, and for that of posterity, and their works attest their zeal. Below we give a history of the different church organizations as obtained from the re- cords and from the older members of the churches.
METHODIST CHURCH, SCRIBA CORNERS.
The first movement towards the organization of a society at this point was made by William Kilburn ; he advocated the formation of a Methodist church here An interest having been aroused in the neighborhood, Rev. Burris Holmes, who became its first pastor, was called to organize a society of that denomination, which he did in 1841. It consisted of seven members, viz. : William and Margaret Kilburn, Mrs. James Adams, Isaac Sewel and wife, and Mr. Knight and wife. Previous to the building of the church edifice, which was in 1853, the meetings were held in the school-house. "The Scriba society was made a sta- tion, agreeable to request of the quarterly conference of the New Haven circuit, during the session of the Black River conference, held at Camden, Oneida county, New York, commencing May 31, 1854."
It will be seen by the above extract from the church records that it had belonged to a circuit until this year. Among the preachers prior to this we find the names of Rev. Messrs. Holmes and Hiscock ; Benjamin F. Brown and E. A. Munson ; Reuben Reynolds and Rev. Mr. Chapin.
At the time of the building of the church M. M. Rice was the pastor. Since then the following persons have officiated in that capacity : Rev. Messrs. Isaac Turner, L. L. Adkins, M. D. L. B. Wells, William Jones, C. Phillips, Addison Wheeler, J. II. Buck, II. M. Danforth, S. B. Crozier, O. H. Holton, H. W. Hlowland, J. G. George, and the present pastor, W. F. Purrington.
The church edifice is a wood structure thirty-five by sixty feet in size, nicely furnished, with good basement and gallery. The church property is valued at six thousand dollars. The present organization of the Sunday-school was effected in 1871, and Dr. A. C. Taylor chosen superintendent.
Juslices of the Ponce.
1856 ... Robert Simpson.
=
Ebenezer Jerrett,
1859 .**
Justices of the Peace.
1834 ... Heory Fitzhugh. 1835 ... John C. Hogunin. 1836 ... Edwin C. Harte. 1837 ... 44 1838 ... John B. Edwards. 1839 ... Lucius Vao Schanek. 1840 ... James Lyon. 1841 ... Daniel Hall. 1842 ... Samuel B. Morrow. 1843 ... Simeon Bates. 1844 ... George Wales. 1845 ... Jacob Richardson. 1846 ... Orville J. Harmon. 1847 ... E. C. Harte. 1848 ... Daniel Hall.
Jacub Whitmarsh, I. R. Parkhorst, and Amos Kingsbury. Benjamio Benedict. Wm. Congdon. Charles Lamb. Jacob Whitmarsh.
W'm. Cangdun.
Joel Baker.
416
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
It has an average attendance of about one hundred and twenty-five scholars, and a library of one hundred and seventy-five volumes.
THE METHODIST (PROTESTANT) CHURCH OF NORTH SCRIBA.
This society was organized in 1843 by a Rev. Mr. Fowler, and at that time contained but very few members. For a while it was prosperous, but was finally allowed to run down. The early meetings were held in the town-line school-house. This church was until recently a part of the Richland circuit. By the annual conference of the Methodist Prot- estant church, held September 9, 1875, this class was made a station, and Rev. C. M. Boughton was appointed pastor. The church building is located at North Scriba Station, and was dedicated by Rev. J. J. Smith, of New York, January 20, 1875. It is a wood structure thirty by forty-eight feet in size. The society has a membership of sixty-seven. There is a Sunday-school in connection with it.
THE LANSING METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This, with the society of the same denomination at the centre, forms one charge. Meetings were held here for many years, but there had been no regularly-installed pas- tor, or real organization of the society, until the spring of 1873. Samuel Du Bois, Mrs. Ann King, Zachariah All- port, Daniel Bronson, Oliver Hall, Hugh Downs, David Whitaker, and Galen Hall were among those who early represented the religious interest at this point. In 1873 a movement was made towards the building of a church, whereupon all members of the different denominations united in a general and successful effort. It was agreed that it should take the name of the " Lansing Methodist Episcopal Church," on condition that the seats should be free and open to all religious denominations for worship. The building is thirty-six by fifty-six feet in size, has a good basement, and is nicely located.
It was dedicated December 10, 1873, by Bishop Jesse Peck. The church property is valued at four thousand five hundred dollars.
At present the church has sixty members and a Sunday- school of fifty scholars.
THE FIRST FREE BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORTH SCRIBA.
This society was organized January 7, 1828, by the Rev. David Marks, and received the name of the " Free-Commu- nion Baptist Church." The original number of members was seven, viz. : Daniel Knapp, Daniel and Lucy Gorsline, Stephen Krumb, William Coon, Samuel Frazier, and John Sweet.
On the thirteenth day of December, 1831, this organiza- tion was dissolved and the present society formed. Meetings were held at the homes of its members and in school-houses until 1848, when a plain wooden meeting-house was built, forty-four by thirty-two feet in size, and located on the north road, six miles east of Oswego. The present handsome church building, occupying the old site, is of the Gothic form of architecture. The stone basement contains two commodious rooms, well furnished,-the second floor being divided into three apartments, viz. : a lecture-, an audience-,
and a class-room, arranged with folding doors. This church was dedicated December 1, 1875, by Rev. G. H. Ball, D.D.
There is a good parsonage in connection with it. The present value of the church property is about seven thou- sand dollars, and the membership one hundred and thirty- two.
The following-named persons have filled the office of pastor since the institution of the church, viz .: Revs. William Nutting, J. Wilson, A. Griffeth, and S. Krumb ; and, since 1848, M. Stanley, L. Hanson, J. Noye, J. J. Allen, C. Prescott, J. Wilson, and A. E. Wilson, the present minister, who has entered upon the seventh year of his pastoral labors. There are one hundred and thirty scholars in the Sunday-school.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THOMAS ASKEW
was born at St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, England, March 8, 1802. He pursued the business of brewing in England, which he learned in his youth. In 1831, he with his wife and two children emigrated, and on reaching New York
THOMAS ASKEW.
formed the acquaintance of the Messrs. Burckle and Haw- ley, and by them was induced to come to Oswego, with the intention of purchasing the then newly-erected brewery situated on the Burt (now Murry) farm ; but not succeeding in that enterprise, he purchased a farm in Scriba, where his plain, unostentatious, and honest life was spent tilling the soil, and in the perusal of the leading periodicals of the day, and the study of various works on farming and agriculture. His ereed that "theory and practice" go hand in hand was fully demonstrated by the scientific and
·
DANIEL HALL, 2d
DANIEL HALL (second), son of John and Margaret Hall, was born in Petersburg, Renaselaer county, New York, May 22, 1789. In 1815 he came with his father to Oswego County, and located in the town of Scriba, on the farm now occupied by Galen Hall. He had worked at the carpenter and joiner trade previously to his settle- ment in Oswego, and upon arriving here continued to labor in this honorable ealling, and the first few years were passed in erecting buildings in the city of Oswego.
Mr. Hall had been a resident of Scriba but a few years when he was called to fill various offices within the gift of hia townsmen, and he diacharged the duties of the various positions with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfac- tion of the people. We find upon examining the records that he was elected assessor in 1823, and, besides other minor offices, was chosen, in the years 1841, 1848, and 1849, to the office of supervisor.
Mr. Hall married Jerusha, daughter of David and Lydia King, of Herkimer county. Their family consisted of
eight children, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Hall died May 10, 1844. March 12, 1846, he united in marriage with Miriam Littlefield, who was born August 1, 1801. She died October 24, 1867.
Mr. Hall was an active member of the old Whig party, and upon the organization of the Republican party became an earnest supporter of its principles. In all mattera con- cerning the welfare of the public generally, and the com- munity wherein he resided, he ever manifested a lively interest. He was a consistent Christian, and a member of the Baptist church at Scriba Corners. Aa a father he was kind and indulgent, and as a citizen his course was ever marked with honesty of purpose. Daniel Hall will long be cherished in the memory of his friends and fellow-citizens as one who was ever ready to assist in all good works. He died January 4, 1874.
" There is no man who hath power over the spirit, to re- tain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death, and there is no diacharge in that war."
ERASTUS STONE.
417
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
intelligent manner in which he conducted his well-cultivated farm. After having made his home in the " new world," Mr. Askew received his naturalization papers from the hands of the present Judge Allen, then in law partnership with George Fisher, Esq. During the prime of his life, Mr. Askew officiated in several township offices, and was elected supervisor for three successive terms. In the year 1852 he was the Democratic candidate for member of assembly for this district.
Through all of his useful life he was the strenuous advocate of every good cause benefiting the public. In him the free-school system found a most earnest supporter, and the " Stone school-house," on the middle road, remains a monument of his energetic influence.
His death occurred January 12, 1875, at his home in Scriba township, where his much-respected widow still lives, surrounded by her children, in good health, and very active.
Mr. Askew was married October 13, 1828, to Miss Anna F. Cozzens, daughter of George Cozzens, Esq.
Anna F. Cozzens was born at the stamp-office (of stamp- aet notoriety), Bristol, Somersetshire, England, January 12, 1804, and is consequently now in her seventy-fourth year. She is a much-respected and estimable lady, beloved by her children, and cherished by her numerous acquaintances and friends.
ERASTUS STONE,
son of the late Major Hiel Stone, the first settler of the township of Scriba, was born at Norton Hill, on Provost's patent,* in the township of Greenville, Greene county, New York, in the year 1791. He moved to Oswego with his father's family in the year 1803, and in the year follow- ing they removed to Scriba (then called Fredericksburg). It was then a dense forest, and he was very efficient in surveying and locating land and in constructing highways in the townships of Scriba and Volney, and assisted in surveying, and superintended the construction, of the first publie highway from New Haven to Oswego.
Mr. Stone was a patriotic and active supporter of the war of 1812, was a " volunteer," and on guard at the time of the embargo, and used to relate some amusing incidents connected therewith.
He purchased a large traet of land, and in the year 1818 married Miss Alma Everts, daughter of the late Solomon Everts, Esq., one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Mexico. He then began to clear the then wilderness ; built a saw-mill and had quite an extensive lumber business, furnishing quantities of lumber for buildings in Oswego, and employment for a great many men. He lived to see the growth and progress of Oswego from a small settlement, containing but a few buildings, to a flourishing city. He was very active and generous in everything for the advance- ment of the good of the public. He was the most exten- sive fruit-grower in his vicinity ; his home was surrounded by a body-guard of fruit-trees. He barreled from eight
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.