Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 102

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 102

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

men of his county, serving as assessor and justice of the peace and was elected pohce justice in 1897. He has ever advanced the best in- terests of his town and its people, taking an active interest in the Adams Collegiate Institute, of which he has served as trustee for twenty years.

Maxon. Edgar C., was born in the town of Adams, July 26, 1856. a son of P. S. Maxon, also a native of Adams, born April 3, 1831, and his parents, Jesse and Betsey (Brown) Maxon, came to Jefferson county in 1829 and bought a farm near Adams Center, Jesse Maxon being one of the founders of the Seventh Day Baptist church. P. S. Maxon was a carpenter and farmer and manufacturer of cheese. He married Amy L. Gould, and served his town as assessor for eighteen years, and supervisor in 1896 and 1891. Edgar C. Maxon was educat - ed in the common schools and in 1st6 came to Adams Center and en- gaged in mercantile pursuits; in 1891 he engaged in the milling busi- ness, flour, feed and coal. In 18:8 he married Vinalla White, and they have two sons, Harry P. and Frank S. Mr. Maxon is one of the con servative men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in school and church matters and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity, who has received and merited the respect of his associates.

Osburn. W. H., was born in Cape Vincent, August 16. 1864, a son of Orlando F. Osburn (born in the town of Clayton), who was a farmer. Orlando F. married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Fair, who was a manufacturer of potash. W. H. Osburn was educated in the common schools and then learned the miller's trade. In 1891 he bought the Evans Mills, selling out his interest in 1895, when he came to Adams and purchased the Adams Mills; in 1596 he purchased the Woodville Mills and makes a specialty of custom trade, feed and handling of grain. In 1sss he married Mary C., daughter of M. E. Casler. Mrs. Osburn died October 31. 1895, leaving three sons, Leon C., Gaylord F. and Kent M1; the latter died November 13, 1896, aged two years and one month. Mr. Osburn has served as trustee of the town and takes an active interest in educational and religious enterprises, having ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.

Hungerford, James M., was born in the town of Henderson, Decem- ber 19, 1534. His father, Philo Hungerford, came to Jefferson county with his parents, Amasa and Lucy (Morgan) Hungerford, in 1810,

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

settling near Henderson, at what is known as Hungerford's Corners. Philo Hungerford married Caroline, daughter of Roswell Davis; he was a farmer and served as justice of the peace and postmaster at Rural Hill. He died in 1881 in his seventy-eighth year. James M. was educated in Belleville, and for three years was engaged in mercan- tile business in Henderson ; he served ten years as purser for the Union Steamboat Company, and in 1855 came to Adams and engaged in the dry goods business, the firm being Arms & Hungerford, which con- tinued up to 1893, when Mr. Hungerford retired from active business. In 1812 he married Mary, daughter of John Ranney. Mr. Hungerford is one of the conservative men of his town, taking a very active interest in educational matters and a liberal supporter of the Adams Collegiate Institute, of which he has served as trustee for twelve years or more, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.

Wright, Orlando, was born in Adams, July 1, 1835. His father, Ly- man Wright, was also born in the town of Adams, and his parents, Elijah and Betsey Wright, came to Jefferson county in 1805, with three brothers, David, Stephen and Elijah. Lyman Wright married Olive, daughter of Olive Emmons, and was the first manufacturer of fanning mills in Jefferson county. He was prominent in political events, school and church interests and a great advocate of temperance principles; he died in 1880. Orlando Wright was educated in Adams and in 1863 enlisted in Co. F, Ist N. Y. Veteran Cavalry, taking part in Sheridan's ride to Winchester, battles of Piedmont and Cedar Creek ; he served until the close of the war and then retired and located in Mannsville. In 1871 he married Ella, daughter of D. B. Lockwood, and in 1862 came to Adams where he now resides. Mr. Wright is one of the conservative men of his town, serving as collector of the town and has ever been recognized as a man of sterling integrity, whose life has proven his word as good as his bond.

Nickelson, W. Herbert, was born in Lowville, May 18, 1858. His father, Charles Nickelson, was also a native of the same town, where his parents were among the pioneer settlers. Charles Nickelson mar- ried Martha, daughter of Samuel Smith, of Gouverneur, N. Y., and through life has been identified in agricultural and insurance business, William Herbert was educated in Canton Union School and was gradu-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ated from the St. Lawrence University in 1849, with the degree of A. B. ; and was graduated from the Ilahnemann Medical College of Chi- eago in 1881 with the degree of M. D., and afterwards received an honorary degree of M. A. from the St. Lawrence University, begin- ning his practice in Adams. In 1884 he married Lizzie B., daughter of Cyrus K. and Susan (Phillips) Stone, and they have one daughter, Mary E. Dr. Nickelson is a trustee of the First Presbyterian church of Adams, of the Union School and Adams Collegiate Institute, a mem- ber of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, the New York State Medical Society, Jefferson County Homoeopathic Medical Society and president of the Medical Chirurgical Society of Central New York, and a visiting physician in the Homoeopathic Hospital of Syracuse, N. Y. He is also a Mason, being a member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 234, F. & A. M., and a member of Adams Chapter No. 205.

Manville, Dr. George P., was born in Smithville, December 3, 1863, a son of M. D. Manville (born July 4, 1833). Dr. M. D. Manville was educated in the common schools and engaged in the study of dentistry. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. 1, 10th N. Y Heavy Artillery, serving until 1864, when he received an honorable discharge. In 1862 he settled in Adams and has followed his profession of dentistry up to the present time. In 1852 he married Elizabeth, daughter of J. L. Hall; she died in 1864, leaving one son, George P. ; Dr. Manville after her death mar- ried Sarah M., daughter of Russell M. Jones. Dr. Manville has served as trustee of the village eight years and was elected president in 1897. Dr. George P. Manville was educated in Adams select schools and at Adams Collegiate Institute, and graduated from the New York College of Dentistry in 1886, beginning practice in Camden. In 1889 he came to Adams and is now associated with his father. In 1886 he married Ella M , daughter of James H. Huffstater, and they have two children, Harry H. and Marion E. Dr. George P. Manville is one of the con- servative men of the town, was elected trustee in 1896, and takes an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions.

Collins, Charles D., was born in Watertown, March 27, 1851. His father, Wesley Collins, was born in Jefferson county, his father being among the pioneer settlers of Watertown, afterwards moving to the western frontier and was supposed to have been killed there by the In-

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

dians. Wesley Collins married Charlotte, daughter of Elisha and Ruth Crandall Fuller, and through life was identified as a farmer in the town of Ilenderson; he died in 1881. Charles D. Collins was educated in the common schools and in 1881 married Adelaide, daughter of William T. and Esther Gardner Walker, and they have two daughters, Florence and Glorian. Mr. Collins is one of the practical and successful farmers of his town, making a specialty of breeding cattle and hogs. He takes an active interest in educational and religious institutions and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.

Cooley, Hon. A. E., was born in the town of Ellisburg, September 23, 1834. lle is a descendant of one of a colony of Huguenots who fled from France and settled at Landstone in the south of England early in the seventeenth century, where many of the family still live. They seem anciently to have been rather a " bad lot," but cut no great figure in any way, though it appears that one Hugh Cooley (Colet) was rather a conspicuous rascal and was in a fair way to become notorious, if not noted, when his career as well as his head with that of his son John was cut off at the same time; and soon after several members of the family were invited by the authorities to emigrate, which they will- ingly did, and some of them came to the colony of Massachusetts, and settled with the immortal twenty nine "erested " Mayflowers. The coat of arms of these Cooleys has not yet been discovered, but was probably " Vert ground, 2 Plow handles Rampant, Hoe couchant D'argent, Spelling Book Dormant erased." Later many of the family removed to the foot of Lake Champlain and near Windham, Vermont. They appear to have been fighters, for at least five of them, four pa- triots and one tory, were killed in the Revolutionary war. In 1804 eight brothers and two sisters came into Jefferson county from Wind- ham, and some of them, including John, the grandfather of A. E., who had married one Clare Taintor, settled in Rodman and were the ancestors of the Cooley family now there. John Cooley, jr., married Fanny, an adopted daughter of the late Eben Brown of Lorraine; she was a descendant of one Pierre St. Clair, who came to Massachusetts with the Cooleys and had a hard time of it, being a Papist. John, jr., followed various pursuits, chiefly mechanical, and was noted for his consistent failure in every business undertaking. A. E. Cooley went through the common, academic and a partial collegiate course of education, studied

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

law with the late Judge Conklin and Austin Abbott, took his degree at the National Law School, standing second in his class of nearly one hundred, and was admitted to the bar at Poughkeepsie in 1861. He enlisted in the same year in Co. K, 94th .N. Y. Vols., and remained in service until the consolidation of his regiment. when he was mustered out with the supernumerary officers with the rank of captain. Since then he has been engaged in the practice of law, and in addition he was for many years extensively engaged in lumbering and shipping at the west, in which he made by good luck quite a fortune, which he speedily lost in speculation. He is at present also largely interested in farming. He served six years as school commissioner and twelve years as special county judge. In 18:3 he married Frances MI., daughter of the late Dr. James Whitley. They have three children living: Fanny, May and Martha. In politics he has always been actively Republican, and though a lawyer has never been plaintiff or defendant in an action on his own account.

Webster. F. L., was born in Northfield. February 10, 1856, a son of Lyman Webster, one of the pioneer families of Vermont. F. L. Web- ster was educated at Barre, \t., and in 18;S established the mince meat trade of which he was the pioneer; he also introduced the canning of dandelions and spinach, adopted by the United States government. In 1$81 he came to Adams and established a canning factory, making a specialty of dandelions, spinach and cabbage, having a yearly output of 100,000 cans. In 18;S he married Harriet Townsend, who died in 1551, and he married Fannie C. Hopkins. Mr. Webster is one of the conservative men of Jefferson county, energetic and enterprising, is trustee of the village, supports both educational and religious institu- tions and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.

Greene. A. J., was born in the town of Adams. December 15, 1832. His father. Joseph Greene, was a native of Berlin, Rensselaer county. and went from there to Brookfield, where he married Clarissa, daugh - ter of Oliver White. In 151; they moved to Jefferson county and settled a: Greene's Settlement, where he was identified as a farmer He was one of the founders of the Seventh Day Baptist church and died in 1864. 1. T. Greene was educated at Adams Seminary, and carried

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

on farming until 1861, when he engaged in the hotel business and in 1866 engaged in the mercantile business, continuing up to 1891, then gave his attention to farming and dealing in horses and stock. In 1855 he married Mary L., daughter of Joseph Ilull; she died in 1889, and he then married Terressa V. Greene, and they have two children, Benjamin M. and Janie B. Mr. Greene traces his descent from John Greene, who landed on the Rhode Island coast about 1639. Joseph Greene and Oliver White, grandfathers of Mr. Greene, both served in the Revolutionary war, and his father served in the war of 1812 at Sacket Harbor.

Green, O. De Grasse, was born in the town of Adams, June 19, 1831. His father, Thomas H. Green, was also born in the town of Adams, where his parents, Charles and Amy (Sheldon) Green, settled in 1805. and were prominently identified in the early history of the town. Charles Green was a man of sterling integrity and of him it can well be said, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." He was one of the organizers and founders of the Seventh Day Baptist church of Adams Center, and died in 1828. Thomas H. Green married Ann M., daughter of John Sweet, and early in life was a builder, afterwards studying law and practiced in New York and Illinois; he died in 1876. O. De Grasse Green was educated in the select schools and Rodman Seminary; having a decided talent for mathematics he learned to be a surveyor, and in 1868 established his factory of sash, doors and blinds, with his son, and they are well known builders and contractors. In 1855 he married Melissa, daughter of Paul Green, and they have three children, O. De Grasse, jr., Anna and Hannah. Mr. Green served as highway commissioner and was elected supervisor for eight terms, elected county clerk in 1885 and re-elected in 1888.

Grimshaw, George B., was born in the town of Lorraine, December 11, 1868. His father, Henry M. Grimshaw, was a native of Stenben county, and came to Jefferson county with his parents, Joseph and Mary Grimshaw, in an early day. Henry L. married Mary L , daugh- ter of Leonard Bullock, and through life was identified as a farmer. George B. was educated in Belleville and Adams and engaged in the mercantile business in 1892, being a member of the firm of Grimshaw & Moore at East Rodman. March 26, 1895, he came to Adams Cen-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ter and at the present time is carrying the leading stoek of that town, dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, paints, oils, hats and caps and notions. Mr. Grimshaw is one of the conservative men of the town, a self-made man of sterling integrity, has ever advanced and support- ed any enterprise intended to benefit his town and its people On July 21, 1892, he married Fannie E. Lord, the only daughter of Alfred and Emma (White) Lord of Adams Center; she was born in Water- town, October 25, 1813.

Dixon, William, was born in Lincolnshire, England, October 31, 1823, and came in 1832, with his parents, Edward and Sarah Dixon, to America, settling in Ellisburgh, and in 1847 came to Adams, where Ed- ward was identified as a farmer and died in 1851. William Dixon was educated in the common schools and carried on farming until 1843, when he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. In 1860 he began the manufacture of shot guns and rifles, and in 1893, established his machine shop. Mr. Dixon is a self-made man, of conservative char- acter and of sterling integrity, whose life has proved his word as good as his bond.

Walrath, Walter H., the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Orleans, June 9, 1845, a son of Alonzo Walrath and Kate M. (Wal- ter) Walrath. Ilis grandfather, Martin Walter, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was at the battle of Sacket Harbor, having marched from the Mohawk and saw the British retreat at that battle. His granchinother, Polly Walter, survived to the good old age of ninety-six years. His father, Alonzo Walrath, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, a member of Co. E, 186th Regt., and was honorably dis- charged at the close of the war. Mr. Walrath at the age of sixteen years began teaching and followed that occupation till his twenty-third year. In 1868 he married Marion E. Henry of Depauville, N. Y. Two children were born to them : Ethel B., wife of C. A. Snell, and Charlie A., who died in 1888, Mr. Walrath followed farming in the towns of Lyme and Clayton, being a noted breeder of Jersey cattle, till 1888, when he went into the mercantile business at Lafargeville, N. Y., which he has successfully conducted to the present time. Mrs. Wal- rath, in connection with her husband's business, has a millinery de- partment which attracts an extensive trade in Lafargeville and vicinity.

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

At the first organization of the Grange in Jefferson county, Mr. Wal- rath identified himself with the order and was master of Three Mile Bay and also of St. Lawrence Grange for several years, He was also director of the Jefferson County P. F. R. Insurance Company for six- teen years and helped to place that institution on a firm basis, He has been a member of the M. E. Church for twenty-two years and has been a member of the official board of the church nearly all of the time. Politically Mr. Walrath was a Republican prior to Grant's second term, sinee which time he has worked with the Democrats and the Prohi- bitionists. For several years he has been the efficient secretary of La- fargeville Lodge No. 171, F. & A. M., and is a consistent believer in the principles of the order. He is an esteemed citizen and enjoys a large circle of acquaintances in the county and State.

Eddy, Widmer E., son of Jason and Maggie (Snyder) Eddy, was born at Lafargeville in 1871, educated in the public schools and took up the study of telegraphy. His first appointment was with the R., WV. & O. R. R. at Redwood, in 1892, where he remained nine months as operator under Station Agent G. Allen MacDonald. He was trans- ferred to Philadelphia, where he served as night operator and clerk and finally was appointed ticket agent. After serving the company in these various capacities Mr. Eddy was transferred to his present posi- tion, which he has held for four years. He is known as one of the affable, courteous station masters connected with this important sys- tem of the great New York Central's network of railroads throughout the country. He is one of the youngest agents and has won advanec- ment by strict attention to business and constant and indefatigable efforts to please the people along his line. Mr. Eddy has always affiliated with the Republican party and is at the present time member of the Town Committee; is vice-chief ranger of Court Penet No. 1, 182, I. O. O. Foresters.

Dewey, Edgar A., was born on a farm in the town of Orleans, in 1843, a son of Hiram and Sylvia (Marble) Dewey. He was educated in the public schools and remained on the farm. In 1865 he married Martha Angsburg of Clayton, and they had three children: Winnie, wife of. E. S. Turner, Raymond A., aged twenty, in business in Water- town, and Harry E., at home. Mr. Dewey remained on the farm

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

twenty years after his marriage, when he engaged in the hay, grain and produce business at Lafargeville for four years, the balance of the time has been actively engaged in the fire insurance business, repre- senting the Agricultural of Watertown and the Hartford of Hartford, Conn. He is a member of Lafargeville Lodge No. 171. F. & A. M. Mr. Dewey's family genealogy goes back further without doubt than any other in the county, reaching to Thomas Dewey, who came from Sand- wich, Kent county, England, and settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1630, and in 1633 removed to Windsor, Conn., where he married Frances Clark in 1635. Our space forbids the full publication of this most interesting family history which can be seen in its entirety at Mr. Dewey's resi- dence in Lafargeville. Mr. Dewey has spent years of time in this interesting work.

Comstock, William M .. was born in Evans Mills, in 1840. a son of Dr. William G. and Jane (Munson) Comstock, both deceased. Dr. Comstock is remembered by those still living, as both physician and merchant, he carrying on for a number of years a general merchandise and drug and grocery business with Dr. Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Comstock, which continued until about 1845, Dr. Com- stock continuing the business until his death in 1851. In 1853 John M., a brother of William, succeeded to the business and William M. became associated with him in the latter part of 1>56 and continued uninterruptedly till August, 1862. In that year he married Maria L. Eddy, daughter of Horatio N. Eddy, of Evans Mills, and in the same year enlisted in Co. C, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, as a private, was commissioned lieutenant six weeks later and accompanied the regi- ment to the seat of war. In the early winter of 1863 he was prostrated with typhoid fever and after a long illness in the hospital was dis- charged for disability and returned home and resumed business rela- tions with his brother, John M .. till 1866, when they discontinued the Evans Mills store and opened a general merchandise establishment on Court street in Watertown, which they conducted with success, relin- quishing in 1522 owing to the fact of his brother having been appointed to a lucrative position in the pension department at Washington, D. C., where he was chief of the western division at the time of his death in 1.4. Mr. Comstock's business ventures did not end with the closing out of the Watertown enterprise. He immediately formed a copart-

PERSONAL. REFERENCES.

nership with Caleb Slocum in the general merchandise business and the manufacture of woolens at Slocumville and continued for two years, then sold out and again returned to Evans Mills, engaging in the hard- ware business for a number of years, until his store was destroyed by fire and he decided to retire from active business. His only sister, Mrs. Emma Simons, widow of Frank Simons, late of the treasury de- partment, resides in Washington, D. C. Mr. Comstock has two brothers living in Watertown, N. Y .: Clarence E., manager of the Great Northwestern Telegraph office, and Charles G., employed by Camp & Massey, druggists In 1889 Mr. Comstock met a great be- reavement in the death of his amiable wife, since which time he has led a retired life, dividing his time about equally between his home in Evans Mills and his cottage at the Islands, the latter place being his preference when in season.

Hoyt, Frank Norton, was born at Plessis, January 10, 1867, a son of Horace P. and Mary A. Hoyt. He was educated in the common schools and Ives Seminary at Antwerp. He worked with his father until twenty-one years old and spent one year at Anita, Ia., in his brother's store (furniture). For two years he was in Seattle, Wash., mostly engaged in business prospecting. He returned to Plessis in 1892 and married Carrie Banter, October, 1892, and they have two children, Ralph and Fern. Mr. Hoyt established his present business in Lafargeville March 1, 1893.

Sayles, Josiah, was born in the town of Theresa in 1845, a son of Ezra and Eva (Putnam) Sayles. After leaving school Mr. Sayles fol- lowed farming, and when twenty-four years old married Sophia, daughter of Elexius Teed of St. Lawrence county, and they had ten children: Eliza A., Chauncey E., Effie A. (deceased), Clarissa E., Ho- bart J., Louella M., George E. (deceased), Simon L., Wealthy E. and Jennie B. In connection with his farming Mr. Sayles conducts one of the largest dairies in Orleans, his herd numbering upwards of sixty cows. Politically Mr. Sayles has always been a Republican and has served his party in the office of commissioner of highways. Owing to the limited means of his parents, Mr. Sayles received but little school- ing, but by hard work, temperate habits, and earnest perseverance, he has accumulated a good property, having a farm of about 350 acres and a considerable amount of personal property. i

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Mitchell, Isaac, son of Hiram and Anna (Wood) Mitchell, was born June 5, 1835, and died at his home between Stone Mills and Lafarge- ville, February 2, 1893. He was educated in the common schools and Lafargeville Academy ; he taught school several winters and attended to his farm summers. In 1863 Mr. Mitchell married Kate L. Bort daughter of Cornelius Bort of Orleans township, and they had four children: Sadie L., wife of Dr. Elmer E. Eddy, Lottie (deceased wife of Frank H. Peck), and Fred B., who married Pauline M. Freer, and Lucien C. Mr. Mitchell was not only a farmer on an extensive scale, but at one time became noted as a cattle breeder. In politics he was a Republican and was elected by his party to the position of town assessor from 1876 to 1878; supervisor six years, two of which he was chairman of the board; he served his district in the Assembly in 1890 and 1891 ; he also served his party on several occasions as dele- gate to various State conventions. He was supervisor of the town of Orleans during the great bonding fight and mainly through his efforts the struggle was brought to a close and something like $50,000 saved to the people of the town of Orleans. Mr. Mitchell was a member of Lafargeville Lodge No 121, F. & A. M. Of sterling characteristics and devoted to his family, he died universally lamented. He was a director of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society several years and at the time of his death he was serving the society as president.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 102

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