USA > New York > Warren County > History of Warren County [N.Y.] with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
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
622
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
was then accounted one of the wealthiest men in the vicinity. From that period up to the date of his decease his time was principally devoted to the management of his large estate.
Mr. Wing was a life long Democrat, an earnest and energetic politician. In the days of his active manhood he exerted a controlling influence in his party, both in town and county, and although no office-seeker himself, those who were, generally took the precaution to insure his kind offices and powerful in- fluence in order to achieve their aims.
Like most self-made men, Mr. Wing's character had its rugged sides and salient points. He was a strong, earnest, untiring friend, a bitter, uncompro- mising and unyielding opponent ; opinionated, self-reliant, and self-willed. Public spirited and liberal, every church in the village received his benefaction, every public enterprise his handsome contribution. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he was among the heaviest subscribers to the relief fund for the ben- efit of the wives and children of the soldiers, and contributed all along in va- rious ways towards the raising of recruits and bounties, in order that his na- tive town might maintain its credit in the great struggle for the preservation of the Union. He was married three times. His first wife was Abigail Barnard, of Townsend, Vt. His second was Angeline B. (Vail) widow of Alexander Robertson, of New York. His third Mrs. Francis A. Glass (nee Bowman). He had no issue except by his first wife. Two children only reached adult age, both daughters and both married. He was for years subject to painful and frequently occurring attacks of illness, resisted by a powerful and well preserved constitution, until at last, like a strongly rooted oak, exposed to the the storms of years, he fell, and the places which knew him on earth shall know him no more. He died at his own house on the morning of the 13th of June, 1873. His deeds of generosity and kindness have embalmed his name in the memory of many still living, and in the hard and trying winter of 1874 there are poor, and destitute, and suffering families, who will miss the kind charities of Abraham Wing.
H TALSEY ROGERS WING.I- The subject of this sketch was the oldest son of Daniel W. and Rhoda A. (Stewart) Wing, and was born in a build- ing occupying a part of the site of the Middleworth House, at Sandy Hill, N. Y., then one of the most flourishing villages between Albany and Montreal. His father was, at the date named and for some years subsequently, an inn- keeper in a building (since burned) known as the Eagle Hotel. In 1814 he removed to the lower part of the village of Fort Edward, where he resided for a number of years. Here Halsey had the benefit of the local schools, and the ex- perience acquired by rendering such assistance as he was able in the management of his father's business. His aptitude for study and persevering application to his
1 From DR. HOLDEN'S History of Queensbury, p. 66.
623
HALSEY ROGERS WING.
books, undoubtedly determined the direction of his career, and the choice of a profession. At the age of sixteen he was sent to the celebrated academy at Lenox, Mass. After three years of a thorough academic course under the supervision of Professor Hotchkiss, its very able principal, he went first to Yale, and subsequently to Middlebury College, Vt., where he entered the sophomore class, graduated in course and took his baccalaureate degree on the 15th of August, 1832. He had probably already commenced the study of the law, for his license shows that he was admitted to the bar as an attorney in October, 1834. His legal studies was pursued in the office of the eminent jurisconsult, the Hon. Samuel Cheever. In the interim of student life he served for a brief period as assistant district attorney of Albany county.
Soon after his admission to the bar he was awarded a gold medal by the Young Men's Association of Albany, for an essay of distinguished merit (after- wards printed) which was read before that body. The following are the in- scriptions copied from the medal, now in possession of the family : -
OBVERSE. The Huygen's Premium, Awarded,
Nov. Ist, 1834, by The Young Men's Association for Mutual Improvement, In the City of Albany, To Halsey R. Wing.
REVERSE. For the Best Essay on the influence of the Study of the Physical and Mathematical Sciences On the Character of Man and the usefulness and application of these sciences to the Common purposes of life.
In December following his name was inscribed upon the rolls as solicitor in chancery, and about the same time he removed to Brockport, Monroe county, where he opened a law office, with E. B. Holmes as partner. He re- mained but a short time at this place, but removing to the larger and more prosperous village of Buffalo, whose coming greatness and importance were already casting shadows before, he formed a new partnership with Judge Fred- erick F. Stevens. Here, with the dawn before him of a lucrative practice and a widespread popularity among the laboring classes, we find him fairly launched upon the swift current of life.
On the 3Ist of August, 1835, he was married with Harriet N., daughter of General E. P. Walton, and sister of the Hon. E. P. Walton, of Montpelier, Vt., who has lately represented that district for two consecutive terms in Congress. Of this union, it is not improper to say that it has been one of the most perfect accord and harmony. The chivalric and devoted respect with which he always regarded the gentler sex, found an apotheosis in his wife, whom he reverenced and loved with a devotion which few have equaled, and none excelled. Through all his life he seems to have made it a special study to spare those he loved from all care, trouble, anxiety or apprehension.
He came to Glens Falls in 1841, in which year he was admitted as counselor
624
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
at law, and the following year, as solicitor in the United States Courts and counselor in chancery. He became, from the first, prominently identified with the interests of the Democratic party, of which he has been a lifelong and un- varying supporter. In the fall of 1843 he was appointed, by the Board of Su- pervisors, to the position of county superintendent of common schools. In 1845 he became the first judge of the county, having previously been elected to the office of justice of the peace and inspector of common schools. In all these multiplied relations he invariably fulfilled the trusts and discharged the duties belonging to them with fidelity and conscientious thoroughness. His legal practice, built up in the face of a sharp and eager competition, was always respectable and remunerative, and that he did not descend to do the dirty work of a venal bar, will be no reproach to his memory in the estimation of those whose opinions are worth the having.
In 1851 one of those rare opportunities presented, which now and then prove the turning point in a man's fortunes. He was offered a partnership in an already established business, and the celebrated Jointa Lime Company was formed, consisting of himself and Mr. John Keenan, to whose indefatigable in- dustry and shrewd management this company is largely indebted for its suc- cess. In 1852 Mr. Abraham Wing sold out his large lumbering interest, to- gether with the saw-mill near the dam on this side of the river to Halsey R. Wing, and his brother-in-law, Lansing G. Taylor. After Mr. Taylor's death (which occurred in 1856), and the settlement of the estate, Mr. Wing became sole proprietor of the lumbering business and the mills connected with it. Af- ter assuming these varied business cares and responsibilities, Mr. Wing gradu- ally withdrew from the practice of law, throwing his legal business into the hands of Isaac J. Davis, esq., with whom he formed a law partnership in 1854, and who has since made his mark in the legal world as a sharp, astute coun- selor, and a brilliant and successful advocate.
Later on, Mr. Wing became one of the firm known as The Glen's Falls Com- pany, and of another called The Glen's Falls Transportation Company, in both of which large financial and industrial interests were represented, and whose extended operations have proved eminently successful and remunerative. He was also a stockholder and director in the Glen's Falls National Bank, and the Glen's Falls Insurance Company. In all public matters, connected with edu- cation or morality, Mr. Wing was an earnest and zealous worker. He was a regular attendant upon the ministrations of the Presbyterian Church, and acted as one of its trustees at a moment of peculiar embarrassment and difficulty. He was an ardent and faithful laborer in the field of temperance, formerly a worthy patriarch of the old Glen Division, one of the charter members of Billy J. Clark Division, and a contributor to its exchequer.
Mr. Wing was a ready promoter and advocate of the interests of education, contributing to its maintenance, and encouraging its elevation and advancement.
625
HALSEY ROGERS WING. - J. L. DIX.
At the time of his decease, he was one of the trustees of the Glens Falls Acad- emy. He was also elected president of the Young Men's Association at its organization and served it faithfully in that capacity, until his term of office ex- pired, giving the embryo organization much of his valuable time, with the hope and aim of giving it permanence and stability.
He always manifested the greatest respect for the observance and ceremo- nials of religion, tenderly regardful of the feelings of others, and, although he made no verbal professions of piety, his was that broader catholicity of doctrine and example, which holds to the belief in
" The Gospel of the Golden Rule, The New Commandment given to men, Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need."
With the outbreak of the Rebellion, Mr. Wing immediately became identi- fied with the war movement, earnestly and faithfully laboring to further the in- terests of the Union. He was an ardent Democrat, zealous in the interests of that party, but his devotion to his whole country and its constitution as he be- lieved it should be interpreted, cannot be justly questioned.
Mr. Wing was a public spirited man, and a hard, efficient worker. To his energetic labors we owe many of our public improvements, and the develop- ment of our industrial resources, of which we have no further space to speak.
His last appearance in public was on the occasion of a great public festival given at the Cosgrove Opera House, for the benefit of the poor. He was em- phatically a friend to the friendless, and few appeals for help were ever turned unanswered away.
His professions were sincere, his friendships enduring, and in his possession was as kind a heart and a soul full of tender emotion, as ever animated a human being. Surrounded abundantly by the comforts and luxuries of life, and the tender, assiduous care of kind and affectionate friends, he passed peacefully to his final rest on the morning of Wednesday, the 26th of January, 1870. His widow still survives him.
J. L. DIX .- The subject of this sketch was born in Saratoga county, town of Moreau, September 19th, 1816. His father was Samuel Dix, an early set- tler, who came from Wilmington, Vt. His other children were Samuel B. and Harriet. Samuel Dix died in Glens Falls, in 1857, after a long life of use- fulness ; his principal occupation having been lumbering.
J. L. Dix lived in Moreau until he was five years old, when his father's fam- ily crossed the river to Glens Falls. He acquired his education in the common schools and the old Ridge Street Academy. In 1835, when he was nineteen years old, he was employed as clerk in the post-office under Jabez Briggs's ad- ministration. Here he continued three years, and then acted as clerk in the stores of Mead & Sanford and Dwight Hitchcock for about six months. Fol-
40
626
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
lowing this he spent about fourteen months in various occupations in the States of Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio. Returning to Glens Falls in ill health he re- mained idle about a year and a half, after which he engaged with Julius H. Rice, taking charge of his general business for two years. He then formed a copartnership with H. A. Hopkins, George Foster and Byron Rice, under the style of Hopkins, Dix & Co., in the manufacture of the well-known " black marble," as it is termed. This firm continued about three years and operated a store at South Glens Falls in connection with their manufacturing business. In 1846 he joined Thomas Reynolds in large contracting operations, on the plank road, railroads and canals, at the same time continuing the store with Mr. Hopkins. About the year 1848 this store was removed to Glens Falls, and Dix and Hopkins purchased the foundry and machine shop under the hill, of James Wells. In the operation of this establishment Mr. Dix has been prom- inently interested ever since, the firm at the present time being J. L. & S. B. Dix, brothers. The contracting business with Mr. Reynolds was continued to 1854, and for the past twelve years Mr. Dix and Mr. Reynolds have car- ried on the marble business. Since Mr. Dix assumed an interest in the foun- dry it has grown from a small affair to very large proportions. A new build- ing of brick was erected for the foundry in 1855, and other additions have been made, steam power put in, etc.
This is the business record of a busy life, and it has been one which has brought with it an enviable reputation for industry, energy and integrity, re- sulting in the acquirement of a competence from a beginning without means.
Mr. Dix is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought to make his creed or action a stepping-stone to office. He held the office of deputy sheriff in Moreau for three years. In 1866 he erected his handsome brick residence where he is surrounded by all the comforts of life. He has, during his entire life since reaching manhood, engaged considerably in the purchase and sale of real estate. He was married in 1856 to Laura Stevens, daughter of Lewis Stevens, of Moreau. Their children are, Walter L., married Julia Whedon and lives in Glens Falls ; Anna, wife of Dr. H. W. Coffin, of Glens Falls; John A., and Charles, who live with their parents.
F RANCIS LE ROY CHAPIN, M. D. - The subject of this sketch is a son of Joel Chapin and Honor Frances Buckley, and was born in Oxford, Che- nango county, on the 30th day of May, 1824. His father was born in Bain- bridge, Chenango county, and subsequently followed the business of cabinet- making in Oxford until the latter years of his life and died at Saratoga. The grandfather of F. L. R. Chapin was also named Joel and served as a surgeon in the Revolutionary army, for which he afterwards received a section of land in Bainbridge, Chenango county. Later he became a Presbyterian minister of that place, and died there.
F. L. R. CHAPIN, M. D.
ALITTLE,PHILA
-
627
FRANCIS LE ROY CHAPIN, M. D.
From the age of twelve years he supported and educated himself and on arriving at a proper age he entered the Oxford Academy, then one of the fore- most institutions of learning in the State. Here his naturally active mind en- abled him to advance rapidly, and in 1845 he graduated fully prepared to en- ter college. Choosing Union College for his further studies, he entered that institution soon after leaving the academy, in the junior class. Four terms only enabled him to graduate with honor. He had already settled upon the medical profession as the field for his life work and at once began his studies in the Albany Medical College. From this institution he graduated with his diploma in 1851. Remaining idle for a short time at Saratoga Springs, he began practice in Albany, associating himself for about a year with Dr. Robert Lay.
In 1853 he was was appointed demonstrator of anatomy in the Albany Medical College; a high compliment to the position he had attained in the esteem of the faculty. He continued in successful practice until the outbreak of the war, when he was appointed surgeon of the Thirtieth Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers, one of the organizations that went out under the call for sev- enty-five thousand troops for two years. This regiment saw hard service as a part of the famous " Iron Brigade," and Dr. Chapin remained with it, sharing in its hardships until it was mustered out of service. Here his success in practice was almost wonderful ; for the first five months of the term there were no deaths in the organization, though there was an unusual amount of sickness, and there were but twelve deaths in the regiment during its term of service outside of battle, and seven of these were purely accidental.
Returning to Albany, he remained but a short time, when he became one of a number of volunteer surgeons under a call sent out after the battle of Cold Har- bor. After a few months' service in this capacity he returned again to Albany and resumed his practice. He was soon given charge of a ward in the Soldiers' Home in that city where his already extended practice in surgery was still further contributed to. His practice continued in Albany until 1866, when he removed to Glens Falls and was associated one year with Dr. James Ferguson, since which time he has continued alone.
This constitutes a mere outline of Dr. Chapin's life work thus far. His ex- cellent natural qualifications for his profession and his thorough education therein have made him a successful practitioner, while his genial social char- acteristics and sterling goodness of heart and sound common sense have con- tributed to his general popularity in the communities where he has resided. He was elected president of the Warren County Medical Society in the year 1868, and read an able address before that body. He was president in 1871 of the Union Medical Association of the counties of Saratoga, Washington and Warren, and delegate from the Warren County Society to the Medical Society of the State of New York, of which body he was elected a permanent member.
628
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
He was president of the Alumni Association of the Albany Medical College in 1881, and read an address before that body.
Dr. Chapin has held no political office nor has he any ambition in that di- rection, or for any public station, his chief desire having been to win and merit the approbation of his fellow practitioners, and the esteen and confidence of his patients. In this he has succeeded to a gratifying degree.
He was married first, in 1853, to Lurinda Dodge, daughter of Amos Dodge, of Owego. She died in 185-, and he was married to Matilda Rockfeller, of Albany, daughter of William T. Rockfeller, in July, 1863. He has a daugh- ter Lula, by his first wife. A son by his second wife died in infancy. They now have an adopted daughter, Carrie W. Chapin, who lives at their home.
EORGE BROWN .- One of the earliest permanent settlers on the Queens- bury patent was Benedick Brown, who probably arrived there as early as 1772, as his name appears in the ancient records as overseer of the poor for 1773. One of his sons was Valentine Brown, who had a son Richard. Valentine settled at the outlet of what is now called Glen Lake (formerly known as Valentine's Pond), and Richard Brown located about one and a half miles from the site of the Half-way House, which is on the road from Glens Falls to Lake George. Richard Brown's children were George (the eldest and the subject of this sketch), Clark J., Daniel V., and Stewart. His wife was Sarah Vaughan, of Washington county, a descendant of one of the Rhode Island pioneers. De- scendants of. this family are very numerous in Northern New York.
George Brown was born on the paternal homestead, September 3d, 1815. His younger days until he was twelve years of age were passed at home and most of the time in attendance at the district schools. When he reached the age of twelve his father died. The family were very poor and the boy, being the eldest son found the burdens of caring for his younger brothers and wid- owed mother upon his shoulders. But he proved himself equal to the task, and heroically assumed it. He began working out by the month at whatever he found that would pay him best, devoting his earnings to bettering the situa- tion of the family. He continued this course until he reached the age of nine- teen, when he returned to the family homestead and assumed the charge of the farm. Here he remained until the year 1846, when he found his proper vocation in catering to the public as a landlord. He began first in a small building that stood opposite the Half-way House, where he remained three years, meanwhile building the famous old hostelry on the opposite side of the road. From the day Mr. Brown entered this hotel, situated as it was about midway on the long popular thoroughfare from the outer world to the famned lake and surroundings, he gave it a reputation for comfort and hospitality that was recognized by all who ever had occasion to enter its doors. This popu- larity continued unabated while Mr. Brown remained at the head of the house,
ยท
629
GEORGE BROWN.
a period of nearly forty years, and only waned after the building of the railroad diminished the highway travel.
Mr. Brown's business operations were not confined to keeping the hotel, for he was the founder of the hamlet of French Mountain, and erected nearly all the buildings. Among these was a store where he carried on a general trade until his removal from the place; this business was started in 1849. He also carried on a tin-shop in connection with this store. He built a saw-mill in 1852 which he operated until 1876, and erected a tannery in 1867 and ran it until 1874, in partnership with James T. Crandell. He built seven or eight dwellings also, and during the period named carried on the homestead farm. He was postmaster at French Mountain from 1850 to 1880, and, in short, was almost the proprietor of the entire settlement. With the necessary decline of business here incident upon the building of the railroad, Mr. Brown sold out his entire possessions, except thirty acres or farming land, and removed to Caldwell in March, 1884, where he assumed charge of the Central Hotel, which he had owned since 1880, it having, between those two dates, been in charge of his son, Clark J. Brown; the latter died in March, 1884. This house Mr. Brown has rendered very popular among hundreds of his old guests and many new ones.
Mr. Brown has been a Democrat in politics until about ten years ago, when he espoused the principles of the Greenback organization. He held the office of town assessor three successive years, and was pathmaster of his district for twenty successive years. In 1856 he was nominated for the Assembly, but defeated, as he expected to be, by the combined vote of the Republican and Know Nothing parties. In 1882 he was nominated on the Greenback ticket for sheriff.
Although now seventy years old, Mr. Brown is active and energetic to an astonishing degree, and superintends his business with all the enthusiasm and success of his earlier years and enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
Mr. Brown was married in 1843 to Silvia Odell, who was born November 22d, 1824, and is descended from one of the pioneer families, a daughter of Benjamin Odell. Their children have been as follows: Valentine, the eldest, born March 26th, 1845 ; died in February, 1875. Sarah Jane, born July 30th, 1847 ; is the wife of James T. Crandell, of Caldwell. Benjamin O., born No- vember 26th, 1849; died November 11th, 1883. Clark J., born March 23d, 1854; died March 14th, 1884. Mary Ann, born January 2d, 1856; is the wife of A. P. Scovill, of the town of Queensbury. Kate, born January 25th, 1859 ; is the wife of William D. Buckbee, of Queensbury. Stewart D., born January 5th, 1861 ; now lives with his parents in Caldwell; married Ida Wor- den, daughter of Isaac Worden. Virginia, born July 18th, 1866; died No- vember 12th, 1874.
630
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
M ERRITT AMES .- One of the early settlers of Poultney, Vt., was Elijah Ames, one of the sons of whom was Oramel Ames, who was born July 22d, 1800, and died June 2d, 1870. His wife was Maria Spaulding, of Mid- dletown, Vt. Their children were Merritt, the eldest and the subject of this sketch, Eliza, Morris, Ellen, Milo and Mary. Oramel Ames was a farmer, but also learned the shoemaker's trade and was a competent veterinary surgeon.
Merritt Ames was born in Poultney, Vt., December 22d, 1825. His boy- hood passed in laudable and successful efforts to obtain a good English educa- tion in the Vermont common schools, combined with considerable hard work at home between terms. This continued until he reached his majority, during which period he had lived with his parents in Poultney, East Dorset, Granville and Middletown, and acquired a far better education than was common among his associates who enjoyed only similar facilities.
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.