Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 112

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 112

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George Kelsey was educated in the Theresa public schools, in Goodenough's academy and at the Belleville Union school. He began life as a clerk in Walradt and Davison's store and in 1861 enlisted in the navy serving on the ship " Kansas " until the close of the war. In 1870 he succeeded Mr. C. B. Austin in the dry goods business which he still carries on. On January 25, 1870, Mr. Kelsey married Annie 1 .. Hamlin (born in Hermon, St. Lawrence county, August 18, 18442. died September 17, 1885). They had but one child, Helen Marian (born April 17, 1872) who was graduated from Wellesley College in 1895, took a post-graduate course in Radcliffe College in the year '95-96, and has since taught English and mathematics in Welles- ley. Mr. Kelsey has held many public offices. He has been treasurer and president of the village, and during the years '78. 79, '80, '81, '82, '83. '44. '87, '88. '89 was supervisor of the town. In 1886, Mr. Kelsey was nominated by his party for member of assembly, and although he is a Democrat in a strongly Republican district was defeated by only twenty-one votes.

Rappole, John G., was born in Oneida county, N. Y., in November, 1825, a son of Daniel and Mary (Billington) Rappole. Damel Rappole was a native of Montgom- ery county, and came to Pamelia, Jefferson county. in 1827, and to Alexandria in 1858, where he died. His wife died in Pamelia and he married again, Emily Cole, who died in Alexandria, in March, 1895. John G. was reared by an uncle, John Rappole, who lived in New York and owned considerable property in Jefferson county. In 1834 he came to Watertown and engaged in mercantile business, which he carried on for four years and then came to West Theresa and carried on a store there for some years. He owned the farm John G. now owns, and also another small farm on the corners, known as Rappole Corners. His wife was born in Ire- land and came to America with her parents at the time Protestants were persecuted in Ireland. She died in Theresa. John G. Rappole was educated in the common schools, and is a farmer, owning 120 acres of land where he has lived since a boy of thirteen years. In 1817 he married Huldah Carpenter, born in Vermont, and came to Le Ray with her parents when young. Mr. and Mrs. Rappole had eight children : William, Amelia, George, Charles, Sarah, Mary, Carson and Ellsworth. In politics Mr. Rappole is a Republican and a member of Theresa Grange. His son Carson, who now occupies the premises owned by his father, is a graduate of Fulton Semi- nary, and was in the profession of teaching for about ten years. He was the organ- izer of Theresa Grange in ISSS, and has always been one of its most active members. Tle was married to Miss Jessie M. Porter in 1887.

Bogart, J. H., was born in Alexandria, May 23, 1856, a son of Henry and Jennett (Carnegie) Bogart. Henry Bogart was a native of Canada, a son of David, who was

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a native of Montgomery county and died in Alexandria in 1874. Henry was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics and was assessor at his death in 1877, being elected when the towa was about 140 majority Democratic. He was one of the wealthiest farmers of the town and built the cheese factory at Brown's Corners in 1870, and carried on an extensive business for some years. He and wife had four sons and one daughter, and attended the M. E. church. He died in 1877 and his widow in 1895. J. 11. Bogart was educated in the common schools and at Redwood. lle followed farming until 1886, when he engaged in shipping hay and has carried on an extensive business; he ships from Alexandria and Theresa. January 11, 1893, he came to Theresa, where he has since resided ; he is also in partnership with W. S. Sargent in buying and shipping stock. Mr. Bogart owns in Alexandria 314 acres of land, keeping about thirty cows and raises considerable hay. December 30, 1880, he married Rosella Timmerman and they had two daughters: Bertha, born Febru- ary 6, 1882, and Mabel, born February 22, 1888. Mr. Bogart is a member of the 1. O. F., and attends and supports the M. E. church.

Shurtleff, L. F., was born in Philadelphia, N. Y., September 18, 1848. a son of Almeron. Almeron Shurtleff was born in Le Ray, N. Y., and in May, 1870, came to Theresa, where he spent his last days and died July 23, IS$3. He married Ann M. Fuller, born in Saratoga county, daughter of Almon Fuller, one of the early set- tlers of Philadelphia. L. F. Shurtleff was educated in the common schools and Theresa and Gouverneur Academies. He taught school for one year and has been a clerk in Theresa for about eight years, but is principally engaged in farming, own- ing in Theresa and Philadelphia 200 acres of land and manages abont 900 acres for other people. In ISTI he married Helen M. Walradt. Mr. Shurtleff is a Democrat in politics and has been assessor for twelve years in succession and holds that office at present. lle is a member of the 1. O. O. F., also P. of H., and attends and sup- ports the Presbyterian church.

Cook, Munson, was born in Oswego county, N. Y., in 1823, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Pratt) Cook, natives of Connecticut, who came to Oswego eonnty, where Mrs. Cook died, and about 1438 he came to Antwerp, where he died. Munson Cook came to Theresa when fifteen years of age, and lived with his uncle, Joseph Chase, who was one of the wealthy men of Antwerp. Mr. Cook was a very successful farmer, and owned at the time of his death 627 acres of land, and his wife and dangh- ter have the land, also 600 acres besides, now being in possession of 1,200 acres. In 1814 Mr. Cook married Mary O. Chase, and they had one adopted daughter. He died October 9. 1591, and his widow and daughter reside on the farm in Theresa.

Schell, Nelson, was born in Le Ray. March 27, 1860, a son of Jeremiah and Mar- garet ( Ritter) Schell. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In Iss5 he came to Theresa, on the farm of 191 acres that he had bought in 1884; he has a dairy of twenty cows and carries on general farming. In politics Mr. Schell is a Democrat. He is a member of Theresa Grange, and is now treasurer. In 1882 he married Lucy A. Wheeler, born in Theresa, and daughter of Philander W. Wheeler and Sylvia S. Evans, his wife. Philander E. Wheeler was a son of Amos Wheeler and Relief Herrick, and was a prominent farmer of Theresa, in which town

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he spent his days, dying April 2, 1894, his widow lives with her son-in-law, Nelson Schell. Sylvia S. Evans was born in Theresa, November 14, 1537, daughter of Oliver G. Evans and Lurinda Lathrop. Jeremiah Schell was born in Lewis county, N. V .. May 23, 1824, a son of Jacob Schell, and grandson of Marks Schell, one of the early settlers of Herkimer county. Jacob came to Le Ray in 1832, and here thed in 1868, llis wife was Catherine Walradt, born in Herkimer county and died in Le Ray in 1873. Jeremiah Schell was educated in the common schools, and has always fol- lowed farming. He came to Le Ray in 1532 with his parents, and with the excep. tion of ten years spent in Alexandria Bay has spent the rest of his time here. Ile came to Theresa village in 1897, and here lives a retired life. His wife was Margaret Ritter, born in Le Ray, daughter of Henry and Nancy (Kickford) Ritter, and they had six sons and one daughter. Mr. Schell is a Democrat in politics, a member of Pamelia Grange, and he and wife attend the M. E. church.

Thomas, E. F., son of John D. and Susan Thomas, was born at Salladasburg, Pa .. in 1866. He was educated in the common schools and remained at home until eighteen years of age. Immediately after completing his education he engaged in the paper business in a large mill at Conowingo, Md., controlled by the Conowingo Paper Co. After three years at this place he accepted a position at Yorkhaven, Pa., in the same live of business and remained there two years. Five years ago he came to Felt's Mills and entered the employ of the Taggart Paper Co , where he holds the responsible position of the entire charge of the machinery department. In 1889 Mr. Thomas married Kittie B., daughter of Michael Strebler, of Rochester, N. V., and they have four children: Ruth, Olive, Churchill and Vivian. Mr. Thomas is an en- thusiastic lodge man, holding a membership in Bethany Lodge, F. & A. M., of Black River; Genesee Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., of Rochester, and Court Jefferson, No. 1,430, 1. O. F., of Felt's Mills, being viee chief ranger of Court Jefferson. On De- cember 26, 1894, Mr. Thomas had the misfortune to lose his right arm below the elbow through an accident which befel him while adjusting some machinery in con- nection with the wire friction. He is a young man of good repute, fine business ca- pabilities and a thoroughly reliable citizen.

Bellinger, Isiah, was born in Pamelia, N. Y., November 15, 1812, a sou of George F. and Nancy (Weaver) Bellinger, natives of Montgomery county. George F. came to Worth in 1854 and died there in 1888. Isiah Bellinger was reared on a farm and educated in Pamelia and came to Worth when a boy and with the exception of three years spent in the west, has resided on the farm he owns of 108 acres. In politics he is a Democrat and has been assessor three terms. In 1870 he married Mary A. La Flam, and they had three children. George F., born April 13. 1871, married Jennie Weston, and a farmer by occupatinn; Frederick, born July 8, 1825, and Flora A., born November 30. 1881. George F. Bellinger (Isiah Bellinger's father) was a tanner and currier and shoemaker by trade, and followed that profession while living in Pamelia and for some time when living in the town of Worth. George F. Bellinger (Isiah's son) was inspector in the town of Worth two years.

Lyon, Abel G., was born in Worth. V. Y., in September, 1931, a son of Dorastus Lyon, son of Henry Lyon, a Methodist preacher who lived and died in Worth.

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Dorastus Lyon was a farmer ; he died April 4, 1844, and his wife, who was a daughter of Asa Case, died January 1, 1861. Abel G. Lyon was reared on a farm and was edu- cated in the common schools, and is a farmer. He enlisted in Co. C, 94th N. Y. Vols., for three years, and was discharged at the end of a year for disability con- tracted in the service. He is a charter member of E. S. Gillett Post No. 556, G. A. R., Dept. N. Y., in which he is an earnest worker and has been senior vice-com- mander for the past four years. He also holds from Col. A. D. Shaw. department commander, G. A. R , a commission as aide-de-camp, which he prizes very highly. December 24, 1868. Mr. Lyon married Sarah Bice; they have one son. Henry. Mrs. Lyon was born in Clayton, N. Y., in 1842, a daughter of John and Eliza Bice. John was born in Canada of Holland descent, and his wife, Eliza Rowen, was born in Ireland; they came to Clayton from St. Lawrence county about 1840, and finally to Worth in 1854, where he died March 5 and his wife November 2, 1897.

Mccullough, John W., was born at Clarksville, Albany county, N Y., in 1858, a son of Peter and Polly (Van Wie) Mccullough. He was educated at the academy in Mechanicsville, Saratoga county, where his father had removed some years previous. After completing his education he entered the employ of Howland & Sons, paper manufacturers of Mechanicsville, where he thoroughly mastered every detail of the business during the five years he remained with them. About this time a better position was offered him as superintendent of the machinery department of D. A. Bullard & Sons' paper mills at Schuylerville, where he remained until a better posi- tion was offered him with the Ontario Paper Co. of Brownville. He was for a year and half connected with the Ontario Paper Co. of Brownville and the St. Lawrence Paper Co. of Dexter. In 1893 Mr. Mccullough received the appointment of general superintendent of the extensive plant of the Brownville Paper Co., where he has since remained. In polities Mr. Mccullough is a Democrat and has held the position of president of the village since 1894. He has been twice married; his first wife was Nettie Ford of Stillwater, and his present wife is Sadie M., daughter of John Johnson of Brownville, and they have one daughter, Margaret, aged six years. Mr. MeCul- lough is a member of Brownville Lodge No. 53, F. & A. M.

Norton, John L., who for a period of more than than thirty years has been closely identified with the history of Carthage, was born on his father's old home farm about three miles south of Redwood, in October, 1836, and lived on the farm until about the age of fourteen years, when he began to work for himself. He was clerk in a store and at the same time acquired an academic education. After working as a clerk for about six years the young man in September, 1857, began business at Red- wood as one of the firm of Norton & MeCollister, and so continued until 1866, when he sold out to his partner and came to Carthage. In that year the firm of Norton Brothers began business on the site where now stands Mr. Norton's store, a location in the village then mentioned as " up in Wilna." However, from the first the firm did a successful business and soon became known as one of the best mercantile houses in the town, and after George Norton retired from the business in 1885. John L. continued the business with equal success and is to-day regarded as one of the substantial merchants of both the village and the county. His time is not wholly devoted to affairs of personal concern, as he takes an interest in all that pertains to

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the welfare of the village and has been for nearly thirty years a member of the school board and since 1881 has been its president. He was village president in 1896 and still further back was also associated with local history in many other directions. He was for two years a member of the Republican State Committee. four years president of the Carthage Agricultural Society, is now president of Car- thage Savings Bank and of the Carthage Board of Railroad Commissioners. He is a member of Carthage Lodge and Chapter, F. & A. M., and for about twenty-five years one of the vestry of Grace church December 22. 1858, Mr Norton married

Helen A., daughter of Lawrence De Zeng, and they have two children Addie Belle. wife of Rev. Charles Lee Slate, an Episcopal clergyman, and Lawrence De Zeng Norton of Carthage. John Norton, the grandfather of John L., of Carthage, was a native of England, where he studied for the Episcopal mimstry, but having enhsted in the army was sent to Canada on duty. From there he came to the States at a very early day and settled at Oppenheim, Montgomery (now Fulton) county, though he first came to the States to buy army supplies, his position being that of commis- sary. After a time this old settler removed from Montgomery county and lived for a time in St. Lawrence county, but soon took up his residence three miles south of Redwood, where his son had cleared up the farm where the pioneers ever afterward lived and where he died. The farm is now owned by his grandson, John L. Nor- ton of Carthage. The children of John Norton, the elder, were John, who spent his life on the old farm; Polly, who married Jeremiah Austin and settled in Mont- gomery county; Rebecca, who married Mr. Austin and lived in Montgomery county : Jeremiah, who spent his life in St. Lawrence county; and Naney, who died unmar- ried. John Norton, the pioneer, died on the old home farm at the age of 102 years, while his wife died at the still more advanced age of 101 years. John Norton, son of the pioneer, also died on the old farm aged 103 years. He was a farmer, a re- spected man in the town and in all respects a useful citizen. le came there in ad- vance of his father and was his mainstay during the latter's farming life. He prac- tically cleared and paid for the land. His wife was Pamelia Gardner and to them seven children were born: George L., now a merchant in Fair Haven, Mo. ; John L .. of Carthage; Stas W., formerly a successful business man at Schell City, Mo., now dead; Minerva J., wife of llomer Redington, Marie Antoinette, wife of Edward S. Slack of Ithaca, N. Y. ; Oscar M., of Watertown, N. Y., and Alice A., wife of Rudolf Barber, now living in Wisconsin.

Inglehart, Hiram F., was born in Ilounsfield, March 28, 1-46, a son of Cornelius W. and Emmeline (Foote) Inglehart. Mr. luglehart has been a merchant of Water- town for several years and was one of the original stockholders in the Westminster Park, and has been proprietor of the hotel there since 1881 In 1988 he was elected alderman of the Fourth ward. He married Nettie Blodgett, and they have eight children. He is proprietor of the Columbian Hotel at Thousand Island Park and formerly proprietor of the Thousand Island House at Alexandria Bay. He was mayor of the city of Watertown in 1893 and 1991. He is vice president of the Water- town Street Railroad Co., a director in three banks of the city and of the Agricultural Insurance Company, and is on the finance committee in these institutions Mr. In- glehart is man of remarkable executive ability, whose opinion and a lvice is sought upon important financial matters. He has been for many years an active member

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of the Odd Fellows and is a past grand in that organization, besides being promi- nent in other societies.

Bailey, William C., was born at Brookfield, N. Y., January 3, 1826, and is a son of Eli S. Bailey, one of the pioneers of his county. The family trace their descent from English and Irish ancestors, who landed on the Rhode Island coast about 1750. Eh S. Bailey married Marcy, daughter of Silas Clark, he died in 1864. William C. Bailey was educated at De Ruyter Institute. In 1814 he read medicine with his brother, Silas Bailey, and took a course at the Medical University of New York, then went to Geneva and attended the medical department of Hobart College and was graduated from Berkshire Medical College in 1848. He began his practice in Genesee, and in 1855 came to Adams Center, where he has practiced for forty-two years. In 1849 he married Orissa J., daughter of Truman Cole. Mrs. Bailey died in 1876 and in 1878 Mr. Bailey married Mrs. Emmeline McKee, and they have one son, F. C. Bailey, M. D. Dr. Bailey is one of the conservative men of Jefferson county, In 1861 he enlisted in 179th regiment as assistant surgeon, and in October, 1-64, was premoted to position of surgeon in the 186th Regiment and served uutil the close of the war. In 1889 he was appointed examining surgeon of pensions, re- signing in 1893.

De Wolf, Mrs. Louisa-The late David De Wolf was born in Madison county, N. Y., in February, 1817, and came to this county when a boy. He was educated in the schools of his day and was a blacksmith by trade; he was also custom house offi- cer here for many years. He enlisted in the 94th Infantry, N. Y. Vols., and held the office of quartermaster, being afterwards quartermaster in Kentucky, and was hon- orably discharged January 15, 1865. He married Louise Wright of the town of Adams, and they had five children: Edward S., Henry D., Mary L., Frederick D). aud lone H. Edward S. married Rhoda Dye of Utah, and they had one son, Cleve- land; Henry D). married Lizzie Henry of Wyoming, and they have five children : Jennie D)., lone 11., Henry D., jr., Minnie and Hobart H .; Mary L. married Dr. Edward II. Taft of Sackets Harbor; Frederick D. married Anna McGlauchlin, and they have one daughter, Mary L. ; Ione H. married Joshua Wentworth of the State of Maine, and they have two daughters, Helen W. and Dorris F. David De Wolf died in 1881, mourned by a bereaved wife and family. Mrs. De Wolf's father, Stephen B. Wright, was born in the town of Deerfield, Mass., and came to the town of Adams when a young man, living and dying on the farm he cleared from the wilderness. He married Hannah Kellogg, formerly of Connecticut, and they had five children: Deborah K., Charles B., Harriet A., Louise (as above) and Edwin S. Mr. Wright died in 1875 and his wife in 1873. Mr. De Wolf held the office of super- visor of the town and village trustee.

Weston, John, was born in Antwerp, on the old homestead, February 9, 1866, a son of Clark and Abigail (Houghton) Weston, he a native of Antwerp, and a sou of Lawrence Weston, born in New Hampshire, and very early came to Felt's Mills, where he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, About 1820 he came to Antwerp and bought a farm, where he lived and died. He was assessor for a good many years, his wife was Jane Humphrey, who came from Herkimer county to Ant-

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werp. They had six sons and one daughter, and their daughter r the only one In ing. Clark Weston was a farmer and owned the homestead of filactes. In politic he was a Democrat and was assessor for about sixteen years. He was a member of the Masonic order at Theresa and also of Theresa Chapter; and a charter member of Antwerp Grange. He and wife had four children: Lawrence E., Harriet J., both deceased, John and Georgia. Mr. Weston died October 16, 1893, and his wife Octo- ber 14, 1892. John Weston was educated in the common schools and follows farm- ing. lle owns the homestead of 171 acres and keeps a dairy of twenty cows and also deals in hay. In 1890 he married Fannie Fletcher, born in St. Lawrence county. and a daughter of Edward and Isabel ( Mellvam) Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher was killed by lightning in 1893 and his widow lives in Rossie. Mr. and Mrs. Weston had two children : Pearl, died in infancy, and Geneva, born May 9 1896

Cornwell, John F., was born in Theresa, February 22, 1836, he is a son of George W. and Mary (Shurthff) Cornwell. George W. was the son of Isaac Cornwell, one of the early settlers of Alexandria, and was born in Brownville, reared in Mexan- dria, and came to Theresa in an early day. He was a cooper by trade, and conducted an extensive business in Theresa, and was also a farmer. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat, and served as justice for twelve years, and was also justice of sessions lle had five sons and five daughters. One son died in the late war. He died August 24, 1885, and his widow in June. 1890. John F. Cornwell was reared in Theresa and educated in the common schools, He has been an extensive breeder of driving horses and also an extensive dealer in horses. He has been president of the Ant - werp Union Agricultural Society for a number of years, also starting judge at various fairs for about thirty years, He is a farmer of 155 acres, and has a dairy of twenty- five cows. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1863 he married L. Amelia Willard, only daughter of Clark and Mary (Ellis) Willard, she was born August 9 1839 Clark Willard came to Antwerp in 1839 and bought the farm where John F. Cornwell and family now reside, and also bought the farms where his sons, E. C and Henry Will- ard now reside. He died December 19, 1881, and his widow is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell have one daughter, Mary Evelyn, born October 21, 1561, and cdu- cated in Theresa light School, and is a musie teacher. She married Frank Eddy. of Theresa, and they have two children Marion Ellis, born March &, 1845, and Will- ard Cornwell, born December 18, 1890.

Smith, F. R., D. D. S .- In the year 1830 William Smith, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to America from Glasgow. Scotland, bringing his family with him. One of his sons was John, whose son Robert was the father of Dr Smith, In 1853 Robert Smith married Jeanette Riddell, who was of Scotch and English descent, and came to America with her parents in 1>11. Mr. and Mrs. Rub- ert Smith settled in Hammond, St. Lawrence county, immediately after they were married. Dr. Smith, their son, is one of a family of mine children, eight of whom are living, lle was born March 26. 1871, and was educated in the common schools and Potsdam Normal School. In the fall of 1893 he commenced the study of dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, changing to the Philadelphia Dental College the following year, and graduating from that college in the spring of 199 During the following winter he located in Clayton, N. Y., where he has an office in the new Johnston block. Dr. Smith is a member of the Jefferson County Dental Society.

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layes, Albert. is a member of one of the oldest and most respected pioneer fam- ilies in Jefferson county. Ile is a son of Jonathan R. and Welthy (Farwell) Hayes, who were of Irish and English descent, and were born in Rhode Island and Ver- mont respectively. They removed to the town of Rodman, Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1819, where the resided until their death. In 1857 Albert bought and removed to his present farm, where he has spent the last forty years of his life. He was born in Rutland county, Vt., August 10. 1814, and has resided in Jefferson county for seventy-eight years. February 11, 1840, he married Calista Priest, who was also a native of Vermont, and to them has been born an only daughter, Mrs. George Canouts of Watertown. A just and devoted father and hasband, a true friend and active in all the years of a pure and useful life in whatever would insure to the bene- fit of humanity, no man better represents the character of a good citizen.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 112

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