Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 101

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York > Part 101

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).

Tilden, John M., was born in Randolph, Vt., August 8, 1831 In 1857 he came to Watertown, where he was employed by Goodnow, llolden & Co. in peddling tinware on the meager salary of $14 per month and furnished his own horse. He continued in this capacity twelve and a half years and increased his salary during the time to $100 per month and was furnished with the entire outfit, consisting of as good a span of horses, weighing 2, 800 pounds, as could be found, and

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

as good a peddling wagon as could be built; at the end of which time, in recognition of his faithful service and business ability, he was ad- mitted as a partner. After the death of Mr. Goodnow, which occurred AApril 1, 1822, Mr. Tilden purchased a half interest in the business and the firm was then known as Holden & Tilden until the withdrawal of Mr. Holden in 1882, when Mr. Tilden became sole proprietor. In 1894 Mr. Tilden formed a partnership with David M. Anderson, which continued until July 1, 1888, when he again became sole owner of the business. Mr. Tilden's eminent success is due to exemplary habits and strictly business principles which are worthy of emulation. He married Harriet A. Kelsey of the town of Antwerp, in 1861, and they have three daughters: Mrs. H. N. Denny of Watertown, Mrs. John Parker Martin of New York city, and Mrs. W. N. Smith of Schenec- tady, N. Y.

Iluntington, Frederick R., son of Richard H. Huntington, was born at Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., on the 21st day of February, 1865. lle was educated in private schools until his eyes failed him and for two years was unable to study. Later was tutored by Dr. Albert D. Watkins, late regent of the State of New York. He then entered Hungerford Collegiate Institute at Adams, N. Y., from which institu- tion he graduated in 1883. In January, the following year, he accepted a position as helper in Watertown National Bank and was rapidly ad- vanced to the position of head bookkeeper, which he held for a period of seven years when he resigned and removed to New York, entering the brokerage office of his uncle as his confidential clerk, remaining in that capacity till 1892. Ile returned to Watertown, where he has since resided, and for four years held the position as secretary and treasurer of the Watertown Brass Manufacturing Company. Mr. Huntington is a young man, in politics a Republican, a prominent member of the Union Club and is esteemed by all with whom he has business.

Massey, George B .- Prominent among Watertown's leading business men is George B. Massey. He was born in that city in January, 1836. His education was obtained from the public schools and Homer Acad- emy. At the age of fourteen he entered the employ of T. H. Camp & Co. In 1858 he became the junior member. Soon after the firm name was changed to Camp & Massey. In 1889 Mr. Massey became sole owner and he has since conducted the business under the old firm name. This is one of the oldest established drug houses in Watertown

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

and Mr. Massey is one of the leading druggists in the city. After the death of T. 11. Camp in 1897, who was president of the Jefferson County National Bank for some thirty years, Mr. Massey was elected vice-president of said bank where he had been director for nearly a quarter of a century. Mr. Massey is the local director and second vice- president of the New York Air Brake Company, the largest manufac- turing concern in Watertown.

Devendorf, Frederick B, was born at Cedarville, Herkimer county, N. Y., February 14, 1816. He was educated in the public schools and the Mexico Academy in Oswego county, graduating from that institu- tion in 1866. He then engaged in teaching for a number of years and in 1845 accepted a position with 11. H. Babcock & Co. as a traveling salesman, in whose employ he remained for eight years. In 1885 he established himself in the hardware and plumbing business in which he has since been actively engaged. Mr. Devendorf takes an active in- terest in all public affairs and is always ready to assist in any good move for the betterment of the community in which he lives. October 24, 1811, he married Miss Anna C. Bassett of Watertown, Conn., and they have three children: Grace, wife of Stanley E. Hunting; William F., now in the senior year of Cornell University, and Christian A., a student in the Watertown High School.

Pierce, Frank D., is the son of De Forest and Mariette Pierce, and is of Scotch-Irish origin. His father's people were from Vermont, and this genealogy shows that some of them were with Stark and the Green Mountain Boys in the war of the Revolution. His grandfather (on his mother's side), Samuel Shelley, took part in the battle of Saeket Harbor. Mr. Pierce's boyhood days were spent in Dexter, N. Y., and there in carly life he was taught the lessons of frugality and perseverance that have been a help to him through life. His age pre- vented him enlisting in the army during the Rebellion, but he was full of patriotism and it was with a great many regrets that he was turned away from the recruiting station as too young. In politics Mr. Pierce has always been a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Grant on his second term. Mr. Pierce was elected several times town clerk of the town of Brownville, and in the years 1882-83 and 1884 was elected supervisor of the town, being the youngest man ever elected from that town for that responsible position, as well as the youngest man on the board His family consists of a wife, two sons and three

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

daughters. In October, 1893, he was elected president of the Lincoln League, a Republican organization made up largely of the young men of the county. As an indication of Mr. Pierce's popularity, it may be remarked that when he received the nomination for county clerk, it was without a dissenting voice, and he was elected by a majority of about 2,000. He has filled this position with much honor to himself and with universal satisfaction to his constituents. lle is a gentleman of even temperament and possesses a genial disposition and a kind- ness of heart which have made him one of the most popular and best known residents of Jefferson county.

Pratt, W. L., was born in Lowell, Mass., April 6, 1868, only son of Matthew C. and Hannah C. Pratt. In 1885 he graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, and moved to Ogdensburg, N. Y., entering the employ of the Shillings, Whitney & Barnes Lumber Co. He returned to Lowell in 1887, remaining till 1889, when he came to Adams and engaged in the lumber business. In 1889 he married Naney G., daugh- ter of IIon. William L. Proctor, of Ogdensburg, and they have three children : Pauline Howard, Proctor and Grace Lowell. Mr. Pratt is one of the conservative business men of his town, taking an intelligent in- terest in school and church matters, and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.

Bagg, Samuel F., secretary of the Watertown Steam Engine Works, was born at Utica, N. Y. He graduated in 1869 from Hamilton Col- lege, receiving the degree of A. M. He also attended the Hamilton Law School and received the degree of LL. B. and later was admitted to the bar in Oneida county. He engaged in teaching for a few years, after which he bought and edited a newspaper for some time. He then obtained a clerkship in the Oneida County National Bank at Utica, where he remained for about a year and then became secretary of the Utica Steam Engine Company. In 1876 he removed to Watertown to become secretary of the Watertown Steam Engine Works, in which capacity he has since acted. Mr. Bagg has served on the Board of Education and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; and, locally, a director in the Watertown National Bank, the Ontario Paper Company and the Northern New York Marble Com- pany.

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Purcell, Henry, son of Michael and Susan (Keon) Purcell, was born in Wilna in 1848. He was reared and educated in the county, having the advantages of the Antwerp Academy and the Watertown High School, from the latter of which he graduated in 1871. While attend- ing school he taught winters to earn money to defray his educational expenses. He commenced the study of law with John C. McCartin in the spring of 1872, and the following fall was elected school commis- sioner of the Second District of the county and served in that capacity three years, continuing his law studies in the mean time. He was ad- mitted to the bar in January, 1876, and the following three years was with the law firm of MeCartin & Williams as assistant. Ile then became the law partner of the late Charles A, Sherman, which association continued until the death of Mr. Sherman. In the fall of 1881 he was elected city recorder and served the four succeeding years. He was city at- torney during the years 1887 and 1888, He was appointed county judge by Governor Flower in January, 1892, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge John C. MeCartin. He was a member of the Board of Education from 1885 to 1897. He is now vice-president of the National Bank and Loan Company of Watertown and a trustee of the Jefferson County Savings Bank. In 1894 he formed a law partner- ship with John N. Carlisle, which continued until the Ist of May, 1894, when he associated himself with the late Senator Mullin and George II. Walker, the surviving members of the firm of Mullin, Griffin & Walker, who were the attorneys for the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad Company. This firm continued until the death of Senator Mullin, Sep tember 1, 1892, and a short time afterward the present firm of Purcell, Walker & Burns was formed, which still has charge of the business of the C'entral Railroad in Jefferson, Oswego and Lewis counties, in ad- dition to a large general law practice.

Farwell, Frederick R., son of Eli and Margaret A. (Brayton) Farwell, was born in the house where he now resides at No. 3 Clinton street, Watertown, N. Y., August 30, 1834. He was educated in the public schools and Jefferson County Institute. After completing his school- ing he entered his father's mill. became a member of the firm of Eli Farwell & Co., proprietors of the " Union Mills" and September 15, 1863, that firm was succeeded by Messrs. Farwell & Son. Upon the death of his father in 1866, Frederick R. succeeded to the business and conducted the same for a short time alone, when he sold out and en-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

gaged in contracting, building, etc. (principally public work), for a period of about eleven years. In 1828 he embarked again in the mill- ing business in company with Mr. F. P. Rhines, under the style of Farwell & Rhines, and in 1895 the company was incorporated under the same name. Their chief specialties are "Gluten Flour," "Special Diabetie Food" and "Barley Crystals." They have all the latest im. proved machinery, nineteen pairs of rolls, the eapaeity of which are about 200 barrels per day. Mr. Farwell has had many years' experience in milling and gives his personal attention to the affairs of the company. Hle is a trustee of the Jefferson County Savings Bank, and was for five years a member of the Board of Education.

Eastman, Orlando C., was born in Rodman. January 10, 1854. He was educated in the schools of his native county and had the advantages of the Watertown High School and Adams Collegiate Institute. He engaged in teaching and in 1884 entered the office of Dr. J. R. Stur- tevant of Theresa. One year later he came to Watertown and studied with Dr. C. N. Johnson, with whom he continued until Dr. Johnson's removal to California, when he continued his studies under Dr. A. B. Stevens, who succeeded Dr. Johnson. Dr. Eastman was graduated from the University Medical College of New York eity in Mareh, 1888. and commeneed practice in Watertown in the same year, and where le is now located. He joined the County Medical Society July 10, 1888, and acted as eounty physician for the years 1889-90-91-92. He was elected viee-president of the Jefferson County Medical Society for the vear 196, and was elected and served as its president for the year 1892. Dr. Eastman was married August 13, 1879, to Mary E. Taylor of Brown- ville, N. Y., and his family consists of his wife and two daughters: Mollie E., born July 15, 1882, and Amitta P., born January 13, 1891.

Brown, George N .- One of the foremost and best known insurance men of Watertown is Mr. George N. Brown. He was born in that city May 2, 1862, and after finishing his college education in Chicago he accepted a position in that eity with the Chieago Wire and Iron Works, holding same for one year; he then returned to Watertown and has since made that his home. He has held the position as bookkeeper for some of the largest manufacturing concerns in Watertown ; among them are the Remington Paper Co., the Watertown Spring Wagon and the New York Air Brake Co. In 1-96 he embarked in business for him- self, representing some of the strongest insurance and loan associations

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

in the country ; the Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York, the Roch- ester Saving and Loan Association, and the U. S. Casualty Co. Mr. Brown was married May 23, 1888, to Sadie J. Phillips, daughter of Augustus J. Phillips of Watertown, N. Y. Mr. Brown is a prominent member of most all the lodges and social clubs in his city, and is a pub- lie spirited citizen, full of devotion to the interests of the city in which he is so well known and which esteems him so highly. Mr. Brown is emphatically "a man to swear by."

Muldoon, James E., son of James and Mary (Grear) Muldoon, who came to Watertown, N. Y., from Ireland in 1848, was born in that city February 16, 1810, and is a graduate of Watertown High School, class of 1884. His first employment after school was with James R. Smith, who was engaged in the upholstering business, and after two years he entered the service of Messrs. Emes & Nearoth, in whose employ he remained for five years. At this date he began business on his own account in company with his brother john C. and George Burdick, under the style of the Spring Bed and Mattress Company, which con- tinned for a short time when it was succeeded by the present firm of Muldoon Bros. They do a wholesale business only, and give employ- ment to from five to eight workmen. Mr. Muldoon is a practical work- man and is an honored and respected citizen.

Isham, Franklin R., is a farmer in Jefferson county. Ile was born in the town of Watertown, N. Y., August 14, 1846, and was educated in the common schools and the Watertown Academy and Institute. After finishing his schooling he worked on his father's farm until November 29, 1867, when he was married to Emma D., daughter of George and Elzina (Pierce) Thayer, and then removed to Lewis county, N. Y., where he engaged in farming. In 1888 he removed to his present farm, which is about three miles south of the city of Watertown. Ile is a son of Ilenty and Louisa B. (Burt) Isham. His father was born in Massachusetts in 1802 and settled in Jefferson county in 1835.

Diek, Andrew James, M. D., was born in the town of Lyme, Jeffer- son county, N. Y., March 25, 1864, His father, of Scotch descent and birth, is a retired blacksmith and now a resident of Canada; his mother, Johanna MeCarthy, died in June, 1889. Dr. Dick was reared in the town of Lyme, educated at Three-mile Bay graded school, passing the State Regents' examination. Ile as a boy aspired to become a physi-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

cian, and by diligence at the forge and persistent study he fitted him- self to enter the College of Physicians and Surgeons (Baltimore, Md. ) in 1891 and was graduated therefrom April 19, 1893. He then spent two years with the Drs. Spencer and in the fall of 1894 went as house surgeon in the Fitch Hospital, Buffalo, graduating from the University of Buffalo in 1895. He returned to Watertown in June, where he re- simed his practice. In the fall of 1895, he was elected coroner of Jefferson county on the Republican ticket. In the fall of 189; he was re-elected coroner for a full term of three years. He has also served as town clerk of the town of Lyme. Dr. Dick is a member of Chau- mont Lodge No. 112, F. & A. M., of the I. O. R. M., a Forester and K. O. T. M. In 1886 he married Jessie MI. Hayes of Lyme, and they have three children : Bertha, Leon and Harold. Dr. Dick was made a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society in the spring of 1891.

Stiles, Edmund S., treasurer and general manager of the Stiles & Fladd Press Company, of Watertown, a firm that was established and incorporated in November, 1895, and is one of the largest of the kind in Northern New York devoted exclusively to the manufacture of presses, dies, drop hammers and special machinery. Mr. Stiles was born in Meriden, Conn., March 12, 1861, and educated in private schools, the Middleton High School and preparatory college at Wilbra- ham, Mass. His first business experience was with his father, who was engaged in the manufacturing business at Middletown, Conn., he be- coming secretary and superintendent of the works in 1885. In 1891 he removed to Brooklyn to accept a position with the E. W. Bliss Com- pany, where he remained until 1895, and then came to Watertown to to take charge of the affairs of the Stiles & Fladd Press Company, which was organized at that time and where he has since resided. November 23, 1893, he married Monterey W. Randall of Eastern Shore, Md .. and they have two children. Norman C., three years of age, and Sarah MI., one year old. Socially Mr. Stiles enjoys the good will of a large circle and the warmest friendship of those who know him intimately and are familiar with those high qualities of mind and heart which are so seldom called into exercise in the ordinary transactions of business life.

Hooker, George S., a native of Jefferson county, was born in 1848 at Sacket Harbor, his ancestors on both sides being among the first settlers of that village. He commenced the study of law with Starbuck &

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Sawyer and was admitted to practice in 1876, which he still continues in and has served as eity attorney for three years. He has also served three terms as member of the Board of Education and is now president of the board.

Gotham, John 11., was born in Watertown, August 3, 1840. He spent his boyhood in the public schools and on his father's farm. lle is a son of Jennery and Carolina ( Hutchinson) Gotham, who were natives of this State. Ilis ancestors were of English deseent and set- tled in this country in the early part of the nineteenth century. Feb- ruary 2, 1869, Mr. Gotham married Syntha Kelsey and they had two children. Mrs. Gotham died September 2, Isst, and March 19, 1889, he married Mary, daughter of James and Isabella ( Byers) Henderson. Mr Gotham is a prominent member of the 1 O. O. F. and the Encamp. ment, of which he has been treasurer for the last seventeen years. He attributes his success to his own patient, methodical habits, punctu- ality, thrift and unceasing attention to business at all times.

Kenyon, Walter B., was born in the town of Ira, Cayuga county, June 17, 1852. ITis father, James Henry Kenyon, was a native of Jefferson county, where his parents moved in the early days. James Ilenry married Mary, daughter of Hodge Wendell, and through life was identified as a farmer; he died in 1863 from the effects of being bitten by a mad dog. Walter B. Kenyon was educated in the common schools, and in 1874 married Caroline, daughter of Daniel Fawdry, and they have one son and one daughter: David D. and Grace. Mr. Ken- yon is one of the self-made men of Jefferson county, a practical and successful farmer, taking an active interest in school and church mat- ters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.

Ives, Frank, was born in Colburn, Ontario, September 26, 1861. His parents, Henry and Mary (Shultz) Ives, came to the United States in 1863, settling in the town of Henderson. He was a jeweler by trade, and died in 1866. Frank Ives received a common school education. At the age of thirteen he started in life's battle as a farm hand and two years later he entered the general store of C. II. Sprague, in Ilender- son village, as clerk, and held this position for ten years, when he re- signed to accept a position in a large establishment in Chicago. After a year's service here, he returned to llenderson and entered into the mercantile business with his former employer, under the firm name of

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

C. H. Sprague & Co. In June, 1890, Mr. Ives removed to Smithville, where he opened a general store, and has enjoyed a prosperous and steadily increasing business. October 10, 1886, he married Ella L., daughter of Lorenzo and Amy Potter, and unto them has been born one child, Edna M. Mr. Ives has served six years as justice of the peace, is public spirited, being interested in all matters which deserve the consideration of a cultured man. From childhood's early days up to the present time, Mr. Ives has fought his own battles, and owes his present prosperity and standing to honesty, fidelity and hard work.

Fuller, Hon. Harrison, was born on the homestead in 1845, where his father, William Fuller, and his grandfather settled in 1830. Will- iam Fuller married a sister of Henry Keep and through life was iden- tified as one of the practical and successful farmers of Jefferson county ; conservative and of untiring industry, he accumulated a competency and was recognized as a man of sterling integrity, receiving and merit- ing the respect of all who knew him. Hon. Harrison Fuller was ed- ucated in the public schools and at the Union Academy of Belleville. In 1865 he married Ella Snell, and they have one daughter, Nannie. Mr. Fuller is one of the largest of the farmers and land owners in Jef- ferson county, cultivating at the present time 1,650 acres of land. He takes an active interest in the progress and development of his town, is vice-president of the Farmers' National Bank of Adams and director of the Watertown National Bank; he was elected to the Assembly in 1892, 1893 and 1894, his re-election then being his fourth term in the Assembly, and in which he served as chairman of the committee on banks and member of the committee of ways and means and on trade and manufactures, and it can well be said that he gave his best efforts to benefit his fellowmen.

Gardner, George W., was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, May 31, 1831. His father, George Gardner, married Almira Hunt, daughter of William Hunt. and through life was a carpenter and joiner. G. W. Gardner was educated in the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1851 he came to the town of Adams, and in 1856 married Delia, daughter of Charles Potter, and they have one daugh- ter, Mrs. Eliza Kenyon, now of Westerly, R. I. Mr. Gardner is one of the conservative men of his town, a practical and successful farmer, serving as deacon of the Seventh Day Baptist church for twenty-five years, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Maxon, Thomas V., was born in Petersburg, Rensselaer county, March 16, 1823. His father, Joseph S. Maxon, was also a native of Rensselaer county, where his father, Asa Maxon, was among the pio- neer settlers. He was born in 1750 in Rhode Island and wounded in the battle of Bennington in the Revolutionary war, and came to the town of Adams in 1835. Joseph S. Maxon married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Thomas Vars, and through life followed farming; he died in 1836. Thomas V. Maxon was educated in the common schools and followed farming; he formed a partnership with J. M. Cleveland and they bought a few bushels of seed peas and beans and started an in- dustry that reached into the thousands of dollars. In 1819 he married Alma A., daughter of Benjamin A. Hull; she died in 1869, leaving two daughters, Maria E. and llelen II., and Mr. Maxon afterwards married Carrie, daughter of Jonathan Benham, and she died in 1891. Mr. Maxon was one of the progressive farmers of his town, making a specialty of small fruits and breeding Jersey cattle and horses. Hle was conservative in character, of sterling integrity and ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people. He died October 31 1887. The first Maxon of which we have record was a land owner in Portsmouth, R. L., in 1634. T. V. Maxon was the eighth generation from him. Elizabeth (Vars) Maxon was the sixth generation from John De Vars, who came to Rhode Island from France in 1650. John De Vars's ancestors were of the French nobility and can be traced back for seven hundred years in France.

Taylor, William HI. H., was born in Ellisburg, March 22, 1840, a son of Grove G. Taylor, who came from Ellisburg in 1820 from Con- necticut and took up a section of land (of the Pierrepont purchase) and cleared himself a farm, Grove G. married Almira A., daughter of Jeremiah Risley. He was a farmer and a strong energetic man whose life has left its mark on his county, one of the pioneers who with only axes and their hands achieved success and independence. He died in Is47. William H. H. was educated at Belleville Union Academy and taught school for twenty years, teaching five years at Adams Collegiate Institute and two years at llamilton Female Seminary, and various other schools, studying law at the same time, and was admitted to the bar in 1876, and is practicing in Adams at the present time. In 1868 he married Sarah M., daughter of Edward Remington, and they have one daughter, Musette R. Taylor. Mr. Taylor is one of the self-made

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.

Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 101

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 1368

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368