Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 114

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 114

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Kreissig. George J., was born in Saxony. Germany, May 11. 1816, and was edu- cated in their schools and the Polytechnic Institute. April 21, 1966, he came to the United States and located in Hoboken, N. J. January 94, 1997, he enlisted in Co. I. 36th Infantry, U. S. A., serving in that company until it was consolidated with the 7th Infanty, U. S. A., in 1869 Hle was honorably discharged in 1420 at Fort Stede, Wyoming. He then visited his old home in Germany and returned in June, 1820. re-enlisting in June, 1870, in Co. C., 9th Infantry. U. S. A . and was promoted ser- geant in October, 1855; he served the full time of thirty years and retired August 6, 1897, with a very honorable record. May 7, 1883, he married Kate MeCarthy at Fort Bridge, Wyoming, Mr. Kreissig in his religious belief is a Lutheran and his wife a Catholic. In his political choice he is a thorough Republican ; he resides in Sackets Ilarbor.

Stanley, De Forest, was born in the town of Adams, on the homestead, June 29. 1847. His father, Alexander D. Stanley, came to Adams with his parents, Daniel and Esther Stanley, from Connecticut. Alexander D. married Mary, daughter of Jonas and Amy Benjamin ; he learned the harness making trade and was also one of the leading farmers of his town. De F. Stanley married Florence A., daughter of

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Percival and Catherme Bullard, and they have two daughters: Lillian F. and Mamie C .. burying their only son, Frank B., in 1892, in his seventeenth year, just as he was stepping into manhood. Mr. Stanley is one of the leading farmers of Jefferson county, having a dairy of forty cows, serving as collector of his town, and taking an active interest in church and school matters.

Clark, William Hatfield, was born in New York city, July 22, 1826, was educated in the public schools and Irving Institute at Tarrytown, and in his early days was a real estate operator, afterward in railway construction in Venezuela, South America. July 16. 1861, he enlisted in the 5th N. J. Vols., which was consolidated with the 7th N. J. Vols. lle held the office of first lieutenant in Co. F. commanding the com- pany, and was honorably discharged at Trenton, N. J., August 1, 1865. He has mar- ried twice, first in 1849 to Elizabeth II. Munn, of Newark, N. J. They had two sons, William Brewster, who is a practicing physician and surgeon in New York city, and Robert Bruce, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Goshen, N. Y. Mrs. Clark died in June, 1865, and on April 14, 1869, Mr. Clark married Fannie M. Betts, formerly of Rhode Island. Her father came to this county from Bristol, R. I., at the age of nineteen. Ile served in the war of 1812-15. Mr. and Mrs. Clark had two children, Sarah Freeman, who died November 14, 1886, in her sixteenth year, and Edgar Lake Miller, born in November, 1871, who is in the drafting department of the Owego Bridge Company, at Owego, N. Y. Mr. Clark is a charter member of Joseph K. Barnes Post of Sackets Harbor, N. Y., No. 360, G. A. R., department of New York, and is now commander, having served in that capacity seven terms; he was justice of the peace for several years, and has also served as clerk of the exam- ining board of pensioners. His father, Israel Clark, son of William and Sarah H. Clark (his father having served in the war of the Revolution), was born in Westfield. N. J., in 1793, was educated in the schools of that day, and was a contractor and builder. He married Sarah Freeman Evens of Woodbridge, N. J., granddaughter of Captain Asbur Fitz Randolph of the Continental army, and they had six children : three died in infancy and the others were as follows. Lewis Evens (died in 1894), Frances Henrietta Fitz Randolph (died in 1895), and William Hatfield (as above). Mr. Clark's father died in November, 1834, and his widow in December, 1872.

Stokes, John L., was born in Devonshire, England, August 12, 1851, and came to the l'nited States when four years old with his parents, locating in Hounsfield. He was educated in the district schools, is a self-made man and follows the honorable occupation of a farmer. December 1, 1875, he married Lydia Kennedy of the town of Hender- son, and they have four children. Ada May, Reta Bell, Edward and John. Mr. Stokes in his political choice is a thorough Democrat; the ancestry of his family is English and Scotch. Mrs. Stokes's father, John Kennedy, was born in the north of Scotland in the year 1899, and came to Canada with his uncle when he was a boy and to the United States about 1861, locating in the town of Henderson. He mar- ried Caroline Chadwick of Canada, and they had five children: Emily, Lydia, Linna, Allen and May E. Mr. Kennedy died in 1885, his widow survives now in 1897.

Rice, William S., was born in the town of llenderson, July 4, 1865. His father,

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William I. Rice, was born in the town of Henderson, and lus father, Henry Rice came from Guilford, Vt., when a young man with his parents, Seth and wife, who settled in Ellisburg about 1810. W. H. Rice married Mila E., daughter of Reuben Letlingwell and was identified as a farmer and merchant at Smithville, serving as justice of the peace thirty-five years; he died January 1, 1894 William S Rice was educated at Smithville, and at the age of fifteen entered the employ of Capt. W. A. Collings, manufacturer of trusses. In 1887 he established his present business, man - ufacturing elastic trusses, abdominal supporters and medical specialties, whose merit has received the approbation and support of the medical profession. In 189? he married Gertrude, daughter of James A. Crittenton, and they have one son, Charles K. Mr. Rice is one of the self-made business men of Jefferson county, taking an in- telligent interest in educational and religious institutions and has ever advanced the best interest of his town and town's people.

Wright, W. E., was born at Roberts Corners, April 29, 1860. His father, Charles W. Wright, was a native of Adams, where his parents, Isaac and Betsey Wright set- tled in an early day, having to go to Lowville to make payments on their land. Charles W. married Betsey, daughter of Elisha Overton. W. E. Wright was edu- cated at Adams Center and Adams, and for two years gave his attention to farming. In 1881 he moved to Watertown and in 1852 was one of the original employees of the Babcock Buggy Company, remaining there until 1899, when he returned to Adams and established his present business, associated with W. A. Babcock, purchasing his interest in 1892, and at the present time is carrying one of the largest lines of imported and domestic groceries and crockery in Adams. In 1878 he married Minme E .. daughter of Henry Gordinier, and they have two sons, Harold E. and Perey L. Mr. Wright is one of the progressive business men of his town, taking an intelligent in- terest in educational and religious institutions and has ever advanced the best inter- est of his town and town's people.

Winslow, General Bradley. No name in Northern New York is better known in legal, social, political or military circles than that of General Bradley Winslow, who is descended from the good New England stock which was prominently identified and largely instrumental in the settlement of New York State. General Winslow is a direct descendant in the seventh generation of Kenelm Winslow, who was a brother of Edward of the Mayflower fame. He was born August 1, 1834, on his father's farm two and a half miles from Watertown, N. Y. After the usual course in the common schools of his distriet, at the age of sixteen, he entered the Cazenovia Sem- inary, where made excellent progress in all his studies and where the ability that has since distinguished him in the many walks of his active life was first recognized. In 1850 and 1851 he attended Falley Seminary of Fulton, N. Y., and later entered Kingston (Pa.) Seminary, which course completed his literary studies. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of law in the office of the lon. James F. Starbuck of Watertown; in 1851 he entered the Poughkeepsie Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1855, remaining with Mr. Starbuck until the following year. when he opened an office in Watertown, associating with himself J. L. Bigelow. Having early evinced a taste for polities, he was nominated in 1859 for district attorney and after a heated campeign was triumphantly elected. When treason first reared its

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head upon Columbia's soil, Mr. Winslow was one of the first to respond to the call to arms, the Black River Corps, of which Mr. Winslow was first lieutenant, was one of the first local military organizations to tender their services to the governor of the State. This company proceeded at once to Elmira under the command of Captain Potter; when the regimental organization was perfected W. C. Brown was made colonel, Captain Potter, lieutenant-colonel, Lieutenant Winslow being promoted to captain In July the regiment was sent to the defenses of Washington, passing through Baltimore but a few days after the attack made in that city upon the troops of Massachusetts. In August, 1861, Captain Winslow was promoted to be lieutenant- colonel of his regiment and it took a prominent part in the battle of Cedar Mountain ; Colonel Winslow's health having failed him, he was forced to resign, and, receiving an honorable discharge, left the army deeply regretted by all who knew him. Hay- ing regained his health he was unable to resist the feelings of patriotism that had first prompted him to take up arms in defense of his country, and he proceeded to raise the 16th Vol. Infantry, of which he was promptly commissioned colonel: the regiment immediately joined General Meade's command and was assigned to the Second Division. Ninth Corps, and was at once stationed in front of Petersburg. This regiment also took an active part in the battle of Weldon Railroad, fought Oc- tober 31, 1864. On the 211 of April, 1865. Colonel Winslow's regiment led an attack and captured Fort Malone in front of Petersburg ; in an attempt to capture another fortification Colonel Winslow fell shot through the body, a minne ball having en- tered his left side between the lower ribs, passing entirely through his body and came out on the right side near the spinal column. For his gallant conduct and the able management of his regiment Colonel Winslow received from Gen. S. G. Griffin one of the most enlogistic letters ever penned by a commander to a subordinate offi- cer. Hle was afterward, without any solicitation upon his part, appointed by the president colonel of the 22d U. S. Infantry, which command he respectfully declined. In 1868 Governor Fenton appointed him brigadier general of the New York National Guard and placed him in command of the 16th Brigade, in which capacity he served three years with distinguished ability. General Winslow is a stalwart Republican and in 1875 was elected mayor of Watertown, which office he filled so satisfactorily that he was elected State Senator from his district in 1879, serving two years, having the respect of his colleagues and unbounded confidence of his constituents. In the first organization of the G. A. R. he was junior vice-commander of the State of New York. November 15, 1-55, he married Geraldine M. Cooper, whose family were pioneer settlers in Jefferson county. As the result of this union three children were born J. C., born in 1856, was graduated from Dartmouth College and studied and practiced law with his father until he received an appointment in the office of the attorney general of the State, and in 1890 died of consumption in California; Char- lotte, born in 1-59, has recently married William G. Johnston, and lives in Water- town; and Florence, born in 1856, married Mr. Upham, a prominent manufacturer in the city of Watertown. Mrs. Winslow died August 24, 1896.

Lee, John T., Sackets Harbor, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., August 13, 1×22. His parents removed to this county when he was a boy, and he was educated in the common schools. He has had a variety of occupations, has been a speculator and a traveling salesman. February 1, 1>49, he married Emily B. Burlingame of

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Pillar Point, and they had three children Wilham H. (hed in infancy), Charles A. (was drowned in the bay in 1871, at the age of thirteen), and Ida E., who married William S. Lowe of Brownville, and they have two children Blanche M and Charles A. Mr. Lee's father, Samuel W., was born in Frankfort, Herkimer county. N. Y., about 1791; he married Lucretia Spencer of Utica, N. Y., and they had ten children who grew to maturity: Cordelia, John T. (as above), Levi S. George H., Andrew J., Samuel, Albert E., Margaret, James A. and Celestat. Samuel Lee chied about the year 1871, and his widow in 1873. The ancestors on the Burlingame side were represented in the early wars; Mr. Lee had two brothers in the late war. The family are of New England stock.

Whitaker, Cornelia S. - The late chief engineer, Ezra J Whitaker, son of Ezra D of North Adams, was born at North Adams, Mass , April 12, 1839, he studied at Drury Academy and finished his schooling at Williston Seminary, Easthampton. Ile was a mechanical engineer in the United States navy, was appointed third assist- ant engineer February 19, 1861, was assigned to duty on the Frigate Minnesota, and participated in several engagements beginning with the splendid victory of the Monitor over the Merrimac. December 17, 1869, he was promoted second assistant engineer and served all through the war with great credit, taking part in the naval engagements at Mobile and Fort Fisher, and was promoted first assistant engineer on December 1, 1864. After the close of the war he did duty in many different sta- tions, in China, Japan, and made one voyage around the world, he also did special duty in various navy yards and was recognized as one of the most valuable officers in the service, and was promoted chief engineer in 1823. He was a Mason of high degree, also a member of the Loyal Legion, and several technical societies. He was a man of high character and the strictest integrity and was held in the highest esteem by his associates in the navy and the above societies. He had a long and honorable career of thirty-five years in the service of our country, which by hus re- tirement and death, sustained the loss of a skillful, faithful, competent and trusted officer. August 15, 1865, he married Cornelia S, daughter of W. Morris Clark of the town of Hounsfield, and they had one son, Morris Mortimer, who was born in Boston, February 24, 1873, and is being fitted for a naval architect. Mr. Whitaker died at Sackets Ilarbor, August 20, 1895. Mrs. Whitaker's father, W. Morris Clark, was born at Edmeston, Otsego county, N. Y., in October, 1812; he married Lodemia Clark of Brookfield, Madison county, N. Y., and they had one daughter, Corneha S (as above). He died December 7, 1853, and his widow January 23, 1890.

Robinson, Henry, was born in Antwerp, N. Y., February 3. 1531, a son of John and Ann (Mason) Robinson, both born in East Riding, Yorkshire county, Eng .. thirty miles from the city of York, and came to the United States May 24. 1819. They landed at Quebec, and at once came to St. Lawrence county, and after about one week came to Antwerp, Jefferson county, N. Y., and located on the farm now owned by his son. He was one of the successful farmers of the town, having about six hundred acres of land. Ile was a Whig and Republican in politics after the organization of that party. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were born twelve children, all of whom grew to manhood, except one who died in infancy. Mr. Robinson died in 1866, and his wife died December 1, 1556. The grandparents of the subject were

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John and Mary Robinson, who died in England. The maternal grandparents were James and Ann (Sayers) Mason, who also died in England. Henry Robinson was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer and has about six hundred acres of land, keeping a dairy of sixty-eight cows. His farm is the highest elevation in Jefferson county, N. Y. He is a Republican in politics. lle and his wife attend the Congregational church. March 24, 1869, Mr. Robinson married Lovisa A. Allen, who was born in Antwerp, N. Y., November 17, 1843, daughter of Lorenzo and Mary (Cummings) Allen, he born in Russia, Herkimer county, N. Y., and she born in Queensburg. To Mr. and Mrs Robinson have been born three children: Mary A., born July 12, 1872, educated at Ives Seminary, and graduated from Syracuse University in 1895, and is now a teacher in Gouverneur lligh School; Henry E., born January 7, 1871, graduated from Ives Seminary, and is now a farmer, married Janette Turnbull, and they have one son, Henry E. ; Clare E., born May 21. 1877, graduated from lves Seminary in 1896, and is now a student at the University of Buffalo.

Palmer, George, was born in Wisconsin, October 6, 1851. He was educated in the public schools and the State University at Madison, Wis. In 1872 be was appointed a cadet at West Point, and graduated with honor in 1876. Ile was then assigned to Co. K, 9th Infantry, U. S. Regular Army, with the rank of second lieutenant, serv- ing in that company seven years, until 1543, when he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in Co. E, and was in command of the company three years, and was appointed regimental quartermaster, which position be filled with ability the allotted time, four years. He was then assigned to Co. C of the same regiment until the present time 1897; until be arrived here the above service was rendered in Wyoming, California and Arizona. Hle was promoted captain of Co. D, Jannary 16, 1898. In the year 1847 he married Bertba E. Wardrobe of his native place, and they have two children, Frederick Rodman and Alice Webber. Lieutenant Palmer's father, Rod- man Palmer, was born in Catskill, Greene county, N. Y., September 27, 1820; he married Harriet C. Calkins of IIndson, N. Y., and they bad three children: George (as above), Mary and Harriet; in process of time the family moved to Wisconsin. Mr. Palmer died in October, 1873, and his widow in April, 1896. Captam Palmer is a member of Waukesha Lodge No. 37, of the State of Wisconsin, F. & A. M., of Waukesha Chapter No. 37. R. A. M., of Waukesha Commandery No. 23, K. T. and of the Media Temple A. A. N. M. S. of Watertown, N. Y. The ancestry of the fam- ily is Dutch and English.

Mills. J. M., M. D., was born in Pennsylvania, July 16, 1857, a son of J. M. and Marania (llaynes) Mills. Dr. Mills studied medicine at the University of Buffalo. from which be was graduated in 1852. He began his practice at Antrim, Pa., and remained there thirteen years, being resident physician for the Fall Brook Coal Co. He then took a post graduate course in the New York Polyclinic and settled in Clay- ton in October, 1896. In 1883 Dr. Mills married Elizabeth Beverson of York, Pa .. and they have two children, Burton B. and Florence E.

Bailey, Alfred William, Glen Park, was born in Shanklin, Isle of Wight, England, and came to America in 1890, settling in Philadelphia, where he secured a position

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with William Roberts, a lumber dealer of that city. He remamed until the carly part of 1891, when he secured a position with the R . W. & O. in Watertown, and this position he resigned to accept that of stenographer in the office of the C. R Remington & Son Co., and continued to serve his employers so satisfactorily that he was advanced to the position of bookkeeper, a post of responsibility which he now holds. Mr. Bailey is one of the popular young men of his vicinity, and was village clerk of the village of Glen Park for two years; in 1 St he was appointed postmaster by the Cleveland administration, a position he still retains. In 1893 Mr. Bailey mar- ried Mary Hewitt, daughter of William Hewitt, of AAntwerp, and they have two chil- dren. Mr. Bailey is a member of Antwerp Lodge No. 177. 1. O. O. F. and Court Glen Park No. 3,215 1. O. Foresters.

Porter, Wilbur A., practicing lawyer at Carthage, was born in Jefferson county, July 28, 1855, and was the youngest but one of the children of Andrew F. and Al- media (Hough) Porter. His early life was spent on a farm and he was educated at Watertown and also at Hungerford Institute at Adams. When eighteen years old he began reading law with Wynn & Porter and afterward with his uncle, Judge Porter, and in April, 1877, at Rochester, he was admitted to practice law in the State courts. He soon formed a law partnership with Mr. Nims, which continued until 1880, when Mr. Porter removed to Chamberlain. S. Dak., where he lived about twelve years. During that period he was three times elected district attorney of the county, then resigned and returned east. In 1893 he opened an office in Carthage and is looked upon as one of the strongest Democratic lawyers outside the county seat. Naturally Mr. Porter prefers civil practice, but is a good lawyer in any branch of the profession. As is intimated he is a strong Democrat and as such stands high in the councils of his party in the county. September IS. 1877. Mr. Porter married Minnie S. Lewis, and they have four children.

Lee, Ellen .- The late 1. George Lee was born in the town of Hounsfield. Decem- ber 29, 1822. He was educated in the common schools and was by occupation a farmer. He married twice, hrst to Jane Sterling, and they had three children Anna, George S., and Washington 11. Mrs. Lee died about the year 1860, and on May 9. 1869, he married Ellen Carter ; they had five children James, Jessie M .. Maud rall deceased) and two survive, William F., and James A., who are farmers at home. Mr. Lee died in 1888. Mrs. Lee's father, James Carter, was born in Ireland in 1505, and came to the United States in 1826, locating in this town. He married Ellen Vance, and they had six children. William, Margaret J., Ellen, James, Eliza A., and Francis A. Mr. Carter died in 1846 and his widow in 1989. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Episcopal church. The sons' political choice is Republican ; the ancestry of the family is of New England origin.

Sheley, E. D., was born in Orleans, N. Y., September 25, 143.1, a son of James and Olive (Davies) Sheley. James was born in Herkimer county and came to the town of Orleans in 1832, and to Theresa in 1811. He was a carpenter by tra le and died in 1860. Mr. Sheley's grandfather, Martin Sheley, was a sol Hier in the Revolutionary war. E. D. Sheley was ten years old when he came to Theresa, where he was ed- ticated. He learned the carpenter's trade of his father and began contracting and

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building in 1856, in which he has continued up to the present time. In connection with his building he is in partnership with George Heller in the hardware business, the firm being known as Heller & Co. Mr. Sheley with his son W. D. Sheley, under the firm name of E. D. Sheley & Son, established in 1894 a lumber yard and also manufacture building material and plumbers' cabinet ware at Lowville, N. Y., where they carry on an extensive business and employ upwards of forty men; this branch was moved from Theresa. October 26, 1856, he married Roxie Smith of Philadel- phia, and they have one son, Will D., born September 23, 1857, educated at Theresa and Adams Collegiate Institute. He is now in partnership with his father. He married Carrie Lawton and they have four children: Bessie MI., Frank D., Katherine E. and James Fredrick. Mr. Sheley is a Republican, but not an aspirant to office. lle is a member of 1. O. F. and attends the M. E. church.

Smith, George W. B., M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in the town of Massena, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., August 30, 1457. He was educated in lves Seminary, and in 1979 was graduated from Antwerp Seminary. He then spent one year in the literary department of Michigan University at Ann Arbor, after which he began the study of medicine, and in 1952 was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, receiving the degree of M. D. He then removed to Nor- wood and opened an office for the practice of his profession, and in March, 1890, re- moved to Watertown, where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Smith is a member of the Jefferson County Homeopathic Med- ical Society, and the Farrington Medical Club of the city.

Hardiman, John .- One of the leading contractors and builders of Watertown is Mr. John Hardiman. He has been engaged in his present vocation for many years, having built the county clerk's office, which is an imposing two story building of stone and brick, the school houses on Cooper and Academy streets, the plant of the Watertown Engine Company, and many more of prominence, such as business blocks, residences, etc. Mr. Hardiman is a native of Ireland, born in 1843, and has been a resident of the city of Watertown since 1866. He is a prosperous and suc- cessful business man, a leading citizen, and a man of many friends.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 114

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