Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 111

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 111

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Council. R. and S. M . Mass. ; Gethsemane Commandery, K. T., Newtonville; the Consistory of Boston, Mass., and the Shrine of Bridgeport, Conn.

Lamon. Lester, was born in the town of Hounsfield, September 27, 1824, edu- cated in the district schools and by occupation is a farmer. He has married twice, first in 1849 to Lucy A. Blood, who died August 5, 1890, and on December 16. 1891, Mr. Lamon married Mary C. Campbell. Mr. Lamon is a Democrat, and the ancestry of his family is Scotch and Irish of New England origin. Mr. Lamon's father, James Lamon, was born in Salem, Mass., in 1971, and came with his parents to this State soon after the Revolutionary war. He married Mrs. Polly Burdell of Houns- field, and they had five children: Esther, Alice, Mary A., Lester and Elizabeth. Mr. Lamon died in 1852, and his wife in 1845. Mrs. Lamon's father, William Campbell, was born in Canada in 1792. He married Mary Duffield, who was born in England in 1795, and they had ten children John A., Mary C., Priscilla, Ira, Ed- win, William R., James A., Florence T., Harriet and Louise. Mr. Lamon's mother's son by her first husband. Dr. Harvey Burdell, was murdered in New York city. Mr. Campbell died in 1879 and his wife in 1872.

Ives, Mrs. Adelia. - The late Francis Ives was born in the town of Watertown, December 15, 1830. Ile obtained his education in the public schools and always followed the honorable occupation of farming. April 7, 1859, he married Adelia, second daughter of Jerome and Chloe Ives of the town of Watertown, and they had four children Brayton L., Helen L., George H. and Willard J. Brayton L. mar- ried Mary Dillenbeck of the town of Alexandria and they have three children. Gor- don G., Clarence N. and Karl. Helen L. is an invalid at home; George H. is a celebrated physician in Watertown; he married Bessie M. McDonald. Willard J. died March 24, 1877. Mr. Ives died January 7, 1897. Mrs. Ives's father, Jerome lves, was born in the town of Watertown. April 7. 1810, was educated in the public schools and was a farmer by occupation ; he married Chloe Holloway, and they had tour children. Lucy, Adelia, Franklin (died at the age of three years) and Franklin 2d. Jerome Ives died November 5, 1877. and his widow April 18, 1886. Mrs. Adeha Ives survives at this date, 1997. The ancestry of family is English, Welch, German and Scotch.

Sargent, Washington, was born in the town of Hounsfield, January 24, 1841. He was educated in the public schools and has always followed the honorable occupation of farming. January 7, 1862. he married Mary J. Harrington of the town of Brown- ville, and they have five living children: Almon J., Minnie A., C. Jay, Elva M. and Elsie M. C. Jay married May McWayne of Dexter, N. Y., and they have one son, Harold E. Mr. Sargent and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Dexter, and he is one of the elders. In his political choice he is a Prohibitionist. Mr. Sargent's father, John Sargent, was born in Hastings, England, in 1782. He was a carpenter and contractor by occupation: he married Susanna Luff and they had five children. John, George. Salina. Henry and Walter. They came to the United States in 1420 and soon afterward located on the homestead. His wife died and he married Mr. Sarah Whiley, and they had six children: Lois, Laura, Lydia, Luthera. Sarah and Washington. Mr. Sargent died February 1, 1863, and his

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widow January 7, 1881. Mrs. Sargent's father, Almon Harrington, was born in the town of Rodman, July 5, 1811. He was well educated and married Polly Palmer and they had two children, Mary J. and David, who died in Ins seventh year Mr. Harrington died December 9, 1895, and his wife March 29, 1875. Mrs Sargent's grandfather, Cyrel Harrington, was a soldier in the war of 1819, as was also her grandfather, Zebulon Palmer.

Dawson, Henry G., M. D., was born on Wolf's Island, Canada, in 1863, and is a son of John and Maria Dawson, both residents of Wolf's Island. He received his earlier education at the Collegiate Institute of Kingston and the University of Kings- ton. In 1880 he commenced the study of medicine at the Royal College of Physi- etans and Surgeons of Kingston, from which he was graduated in 1885, after which he came to Cape Vincent where he has since practiced. He is a member of Cape Vincent Lodge No. 180, Independent Order of Foresters. In 1888 he married Jennie A. Buckley of Cape Vincent, a daughter of John Buckley, and they have two daugh- ters, Frances C., born October 21, 1891, and Maria G., born February 13, 1895. Dr. Dawson is enjoying a lucrative practice and is a very successful practitioner. le is medical examiner of the following insurance companies: New York Life, Equitable, Mutual Life of New York, Etna, Travelers, Pennsylvania Mutual, Washington Life, and Commercial Travelers' Accident Company.

Wilcox, Levi, was born in Worth, on the farm he owns, November 26, 1825, a son of Sterling and Sallie (Smith) Wilcox. Sterling Wilcox was born in Herkimer conn- ty, N. Y., son of Joseph, who came from Herkimer county to Worth in 1805, and bought 150 aeres of land, where Gilbert 11. Wilcox, a great-grandson now lives. Ile died aged eighty-eight; his wife was Hannah Banning, who died at the age of sev- enty-six. Sterling died in 1885, aged ninety-four years, and his wife died March 22. 1867, aged sixty-seven years. They married in 1818 and had six children, of whom four are now living. Levi Wilcox was educated in the common schools; he is a farmer and owns 300 acres of land and has a dairy of thirty-five cows. In 1847 he married Mary Fox, and they had two children: Emma G. (deceased) and Gilbert 11., born in 1853, and married Eva M. Brown; they have three children Emma G., Ora S. and Gertrude. Five generations have now lived on the same farm. Mr. Wilcox is a Democrat and was assessor for eleven years in succession and has been town clerk, supervisor and postmaster of Worth. He is a member of Rodman Lodge No. 506, F. & A. M. The family attend and support the M. E. church.

Bert, George, jr., was born in Germany, in August, 1852, a son of George and Elizabeth (Rhodenhise) Bert, natives of Germany. He came to America with his parents in 1853, settling in New York city, and after one year moved to the town of Alexandria, Jefferson county, where they remamed for five years, at which time they came to Worth and purchased about 200 acres of land. Mr. Bert, sr., has made his own property and is one of the leading farmers of his town. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. 1, 186th N. Y. Vols., serving one year, and was wounded at Petersburg. In politics Mr. Bert is a Democrat. Ilie wife died August 17, 1843. George Bert, IT .. was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He has always fol- lowed farming as an occupation and at present has a farm of 230 acres and a dairy

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of thirty cows. February 14, 1876, he married Kate Hartman of Alexandria, and they have one son, born May 23, 1879, educated in Adams Collegiate Institute and is now engaged in teaching. Mr. Bert is a Democrat and is now one of the assessors of the town and at present is postmaster at Worthville. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans and of the Grange.

Enos, William W., son of Gaylord and Minerva Enos, was born in Depauville in 1835, his parents being among the early settlers of that place; his father died there in 1873 and his mother in 1886. Mr. Enos had two brothers and two sisters; his brother George served in the late war in the 10th Heavy Artillery and was killed in front of Petersburg. Of his sisters, Mrs. William Baxter is deceased, while his other one, Mrs. Hiram Copley, resides in Chanmont. ITis early education was obtained at the academies in Depauville and at Lafargeville. ITis whole life has been devoted to commercial pursuits. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. A, 35th N. Y. Vols., and served two years and then re-enlisted in the 18th Cavalry as lientenant and came out as captain, serving to the close of the war. In 1822 he married Emma Dayan of Water- town, and their children are George W., a graduate of Cornell and a civil engineer ; Copley, a cadet at West Point; and two daughters, Clara M. and Julia D., who re- side at home. Mr. Enos is vice-president of the Adams Duford Stone Co. of Chan- mont. In polities he is a Republican and has shared the honors within the gift of his party. He has been delegate to county and State conventions, was in the As- sembly in 1872, supervisor of Lyme two terms, justice of the peace and postmaster in 1868 and 1836.

Rogers, Austin L., proprietor of the extensive seed house of Rogers Brothers of Chaumont, is a son of Charles A. and Harriet (Wilson) Rogers, and was born in the town of Cape Vincent in 1855. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native town, at Watertown High School and Eastman Business College of Pough- keepsie. His father dying when he was two years old, his mother removed to the village of Cape Vincent. Her death occurred at Chaumont in 1893 after a residence there of ten years. Mr. Rogers's first business enterprise was started at the home- stead farm, town of Cape Vincent, in connection with his brother, Everett E., the two starting a green house and engaging in market gardening and seed growing. which they successfully carried on for five years. Afterward for one year they were associated with R. B. Hungerford at Adams as seed growers, when they came to Chaumont in 1882 and erected the substantial three-story building which serves as a seed warehouse. Disposing of the Cape Vincent farm in 1887, they purchased a fine tract of land of 360 acres, known as the Backus-Comins farm, being situated on the north side of Chanmont river and bounded on the west by the R., W. & O. Railroad and village limits, which they named " Elm View," using it as a seed farm in con- nection with their extensive wholesale seed business. of fancy peas, beans and sweet peas, as many as forty acres of this popular flower in different varieties having been planted in a single season, and from this fact is commonly known as the sweet pea farm, and is much admired during the summer season. It was in 1890 that the large business career of the brothers was interrupted by the death by accident of Everett E. Rogers, who received injuries which cansed his death while crossing in his car- riage the tracks of the R., W. & O. Railroad. Since his brother's unfortunate death

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Mr. Rogers has conducted the business on his own account, but in the original firm name. In 1882 Mr. Rogers married Della M. Guile, daughter of George H. Guile of Lyme, and they have two children, Mabel and Inez. Mr. Rogers is an exponent of that class of men who have won success because they deserved it. His business, which is one of the largest in Chaumont and has few superiors of its kind in the county, is the result of the pluck of two country boys who began and continued from small beginnings until a business has accumulated to such extensive proportions that it is only bounded by the confines of the United States and Canada. To the cour- tesy of Mr. George R. Warren, formerly of Cape Vincent, son of G W. Warren, who has been with the firm for sixteen years, the patrons and visitors feel deeply indebt- ed for the interest taken in each caller. Mr. Warren holds a close place in the con- fidence of his employer and has proven himself all efficient where efficiency is most needed.

Getmau. Adelbert A., M. D., is a native of Chaumont, and was born December 11, 1851. ITis father was Christopher Getman and his mother was Merey A. Berdgett. The early youth of Dr. Getman was passed in his native village, where he attended the public schools, passing through them successively towards the attainment of a higher education, which he received at Carthage and Watertown. After completing his studies he taught school for a short time and took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. H. W. Jewett, of Chaumont, afterward graduating from the Albany Medical College, when he took up the practice of his profession at home, where he remained until 1874, and then took a special course in the University of New York. In 1879 he married Emma Ryder, daughter of Ellis Ryder, of Chaumont, and they have one daughter, Minnie, who resides at home. In politics Dr. Getman affiliates with the Democratic party, and has been the recipient of political honors at his party's disposal. He was supervisor of the town of Lyme in 1877 and 1878. He is a Mason and hokls membership in Chaumont Lodge No. 172. Dr. Getman is a gen- tleman possessing an uncommonly fine personal figure and commanding appearance, is a fine conversationalist and possesses those qualifications happily combined which go to make up the successful physician. He is a member of the Jefferson County Medieal Society, and enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice throughout the county.

Bingle, Henry Daniel, who for eleven years has filled the position of health officer of the town of Wilna, and also for three years the same office in Carthage, was born in Germany, near Hesse Castle, May 23, 1856, and came to the United States with his father and sister in 1861, locating in Lewis county. He was educated in the common schools and Lowville Academy, after which he taught school four winter terms. During his teaching young Bingle read medicine under the direction of Dr. Ferguson, of Carthage, and afterward completed his medical education at Long Island College Hospital, University of Baltimore, Md., University of Vermont at Burlington, and at Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1852. In 1883 Dr. Bingle began practice at Denmark, remaining there one year, and then re- moved to Deer River, where he practiced three years. In December, 1886, he lo- cated at Carthage, where he has since resided and where he has established an ex- cellent professional standing, and is regarded as one of the leading physicians of the

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vicinity. In April, 1889, Dr. Bingle married Minnie C., daughter of W. R. Thomp- son, of Carthage, and she died in the fall of 1896.

Merriman, Edgar Il., son of William A. and Elizabeth (Loomis) Merriman, was born in Gouverneur, March 30, 1873. His parents are both dead, and he has one brother, F. G. Merriman, of Antwerp. He was educated at Spragueville High School, learned telegraphy of J. G. Clark, of Keene, N. Y., and was first appointed assistant agent at Chaumont. November 1, 1893, agent at Sanford Corners in 1894 and transferred to Chaumont as station agent in 1897. He is a member of Bethany Lodge No. 821 of Black River. Mr. Merriman is also the agent of the American Express Co., and has charge of the freight business of the R., W. & O. Railroad. Ile is a young man of fine business capabilities and bas before him a bright future in the railroad business.

l'an Allen, Willard B., was born in Wilna, June 27, 1862, the eldest of ten children born to Warren and Lucia Van Allen. His young life was spent on his father's farm and his elementary education was acquired in the common schools and at Ives Seminary. Tle read law in the office of A. E. Kilby of Carthage, and attended the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated and admitted to practice in May, 1887. Ile began his professional life in Lewis county, but in 1888 removed to Carth- age where he now lives and where he is in active and successful practice. He is a firm Republican and has been elected village president and also a member of the Board of Education. June 27, 1857, he married Mary E., daughter of William and Mary Burnside.

Bossuot, Leander E., is a son of George Bossuot who was the first white child born in what is now known as the village of Carthage. Mr. Bossuot's grandfather. Jean Bossnot, was a native of Troyes, France, and one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Carthage, where he found only a single Indian hut. He died in Champion in 1847, at the advanced age of ninety-three. His children were George, father of Leander E .. Louis, Augustus, John Bonaparte, Peter and Julia, who died when quite young. All of this numerous family resided near Carthage and died here except Augustus, who died in Minnesota. Leander E. Bossuot is one of the enterprising citizens of West Carthage, and until recently was actively engaged in the grocery business. For some years he has been clerk of the town of Champion ; is superintendent of the water works at West Carthage and is a man in whose presence one does not have to be a great while to easily distinguish him a hustler. Early in 1863 Mr. Bossuot enlisted in the 20th N. Y. Cavalry and shared its cam- paigns and participated in its battles until the close of the war, When the Confeder- ate capital fell and Richmond was evacuated by the Confederates, the first regiment to enter the city was the 20th N. Y. Cavalry, whose colonel hoisted the stars and stripes over Richmond for the first time since it became the capital of the Confeder- acy. Mr. Bossuot is a Knight Templar and has been master of Carthage Lodge No. 158; also a member of Carthage Chapter No. 259 and was high priest in 1892- 93; member of the Watertown Commandery No. 11; Utica Council; the Mystic Shrine and the Odd Fellows.

Cook, Henry C., who for the past twenty-four years has been a practicing attorney

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at Carthage, was born at Palatine Bridge, Montgomery county, N. V. June 12. 1830, and was the seventh of eight children in the family of Casper 1. and Clarissa A. Cook. Henry lived at home on the farm until he was eighteen years old, intend- ing to become a farmer, but an accident compelled him to change his chosen pursint and turn to professional life. His early education was acquired in the common schools and limited at that, but he began a course of law study with those dis- tinguished lawyers, Thomas and Henry Smith, then at Cobleskill, Schoharie county, and still later with the noted firm of Hill, Porter & Cagger, at Albany, and at a general term held in that city in 1853 he was admitted to practice, being then, how- ever, a little less than twenty one years old, but in his case a nuuc pro tune order was made. Ile began practice at Worcester, Otsego county, and thence removed to Cobleskill. In June, 1861, Mr. Cook enlisted in the 25th Regiment of State Militia and served until discharged in July following. Returning home he helped raise the 134th Regiment, enlisting as a private, but was elected captain of Co. G, and with this command served until February 18, 1565, then being mustered out with the rank of major. After a year Mr. Cook again took up professional life at Richmondville, Schoharie county, remaming there seven years, of which time he was for six years district attorney of the county. November 9, 1873, he came to Carthage and has since been in active practice in that village. Counselor Cook is a firm Democrat, living in a strong Republican county, but he takes no active part in politics other than as an interested citizen and holding the record of being an old campaigner. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow Lodges; also of the G. A. R In 1552 Mr. Cook married Margaret E. Sternberg, and they had six children, four of whom are still living.

Harding, John R., M. D., was born in Palermo, Oswego county, N. Y., Septem- ber 16, 1868, a son of Thomas and Ann Harding, who came to this country from Bristol, England, in 1867. Ile attended the common schools of the neighborhood until his fifteenth year, when he entered the academy at Mexico, finishing his educa- tion in 1888. He taught school for two years and in 1890 entered the medical de- partment of the Syracuse University and was gradnated therefrom in 1893. Ile stood first in competitive examination at St. Joseph's Hospital, Syracuse, where he held the position of house physician from July, 1893, to July, 1891. August 30, 1894, Dr. Harding married Gertrude, daughter of W. T. Hawkins of Syracuse, and they have one daughter, Unni. He commeneed his practice in Syracuse. where he remained two years before coming to Carthage in 1896. Dr. Harding is a member of the Syracuse Academy of Medicine and of the Onondaga Medical Society. He is an untiring practitioner, devoting all his time to the care of his large practice which he has built up in the short time since locating in Carthage, and is already one of the first physicians in the county.

Simons, Edwin A., M. D., one of the best representatives of bomoeopathy in Jef- ferson county, was born in Theresa, January 11, 1-60, and on both his father's and mother's side was descended from pioneer stock in the county. Ihis grandfather. Rodney Simons, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Dr. Simons was the eldest of four children born to John H. and Lorinda (Cheesman) Simons. He was brought up on a farm, educated in the common schools and at the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary.

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He then began teaching school and while so engaged also read medicine with Dr. F. L. Santway, and in 1882 entered the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1884. In that year he began practice at Carthage, is the only homoeopathic physician in the village and enjoys a large clientage. On April 19, 1881, Dr. Simons married Clara Hughes of Crawfordsville, Ind., who is also a graduate from a Homoeopathic Medical College. They have two children.

Murtha, Patrick, born in 1837, died in 1893, in memoriam .- The late Patrick Mur- tha whose death occurred in Croghan township in 1893, will always be held in pleas- ant memory as a type of man, parent and citizen, who by example and precept wiekled a most beneficial influence for good upon the community. Their example being always depended upon for good, their example always so, though frequently, perhaps more often than not, they are less conspicuous in their careers than many men far more deserving of honors from their fellow men. Citizens of the class of Mr. Murtha seek no notoriety; more often they shun it. They do their whole duty, shirk none of life's responsibilities. Men of this character are usually forced into positions of trust. This was true of Mr. Murtha, a good and devout man in the best sense of the term. To him God, religion and his church were largely questions of duty and right living. A good man is always a benefit to a community although he may not be blessed with the gifts of great leadership among men, yet, as in the case of Mr. Murtha he was a leader in the sphere in which his lot was cast and thus his death is more to be regretted. Ile was born in Whitesboro and was a son of Peter and Julia (Finley) Murtha. His parents removerd to the town of Croghan during his infancy. His boyhood days, and in fact those of his mature manhood, were spent on his father's farm. His schooling came from that elass of educational insti- tutions known as the district school, whose advantages he early mastered. Both his parents chied in 1881, his father in February, and his mother in July following. In 1×42 he married Lucy, daughter of Patrick G. Byrnes of Croghan, and they had four children: Charles Frances, Lillian, Minnie and Patrick, jr. Mr. Murtha was a de- vout member of St. James church, Carthage, from which he was buried, the vast edifice being filled to its utmost with sympathizing friends of the deceased. He held for many years the position of justice in Croghan and was also a trustee in St. James church. By honesty he amassed more than a competency ; by an upright life he won the esteem of his fellow men. A devoted husband and loving father, he has gone to his reward.

KELSEY, GEORGE, was born in Theresa, N. Y., October 5, 1843, a son of Jesse Kelsey and grandson of James Kelsey.

James Kelsey was born in Otsego county (August 4, 1726); and, on July 9, 1795, married Lydia Nichols (born April 29, 1780). They had twelve children-one of them Jesse (born February 14, 1807 died October 6, 1865).

Jesse Kelser came (1820) with his parents to Theresa where he spent the remainder of Ins life. On February 10, 1$35, he married Susan A. Shurtleff (born in Leray on April 7. 1814) a daughter of James Shurtleff, one of the early settlers of Theresa. (For his biography see History of the Town). Mr. Shurtleff with his first wife Polly Atwood (born March 27. 1776), emigrated to this county from near Plymouth, Mass., in 1996, and of their ten children only two. Marietta (Mrs. John Tubbs of Alexandria

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Bay) and Susan And (Mrs. Jesse Kelsey of Theresa) sull survive. To Jesse Kelsey and his wife were born nine children: Jane, Justin, Eleanor, Jerome, Electa, George, Atwood, James E., Charles, of whom only George, James E., and Charles are hving. Jesse Kelsey was one of the most prominent men of Theresa. For a number of years he was engaged in a large business as speculator and stock dealer; but his later life was spent on a farm not far from the village. He was an ardent Democrat and supervisor of his town one term. He attended the Presbyterian church of which his wife is a member.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 111

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