Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 115

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 115

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Miller, Marshall MI , was born in Evans' Mills, near where he now resides, in 1826. a son of Pardon aud Eliza (Beebe) Miller. His grandfather, Jonathan Miller, came from Worcester, Mass., in 1805, and settled in Le Ray, where he was the first justice of the peace. Marshall M. received his education in the public schools, and, as his father died when he was six years of age, he went to live with Mr. Davis, with whom he remained until he wassixteen years of age. He then went on the Hudson River as a sailor, where he remained for thirteen years, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years at Evans' Mills. He was next engaged as a cabinet maker in the same place until 1862, when he enlisted, and served in the Army of the Potomac. lle was discharged in August, 1865, and returned to Evans' Mills and es- tablished himself as a carriage maker, which business he carried on until sixteen years ago. In 1542 he was appointed by Sheriff Smith a deputy sheriff, which position he still holds. July 31. 1862, he married Calista Lawton, daughter of Josiah Lawton, o! Evans' Mills, by whom he had these children. James Henry, station agent near

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Montreal, Can. ; Charles Ernest, of Watertown, and Mary Ehan, a teacher in the public schools of the county. Mr. Miller is a Republican in pohties, and was Umted States census enumerator in 1880 and 1890.

Whitaker, Lewis C., was born in Chemung county. N. Y .. September 20, 1862, son of Peter W., born in 1932, and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Whitaker born in 1831. of Orange county, N. V. Peter W, Whitaker moved to Chemung county when a young man, where he was engaged as a merchant at Horseheads for about thirty years, re- tiring from business in 1886. His wife died April 9, 1879. The grandfather of our subject, Lewis Whitaker, was born in Orange county, and moved to Sussex county, N. J., when a young man, where he was a prominent farmer. His wife was Anna Wintermute. Lewis C. was reared and educated at Horseheads, and in 1849 went to Unionville, Orange county, N. Y., where, in company with his brother-in-law. he established a factory to manufacture sugar of milk. In 1892 they extended the bisi- ness to Antwerp, under the firm name of Hayne & Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker is a Republican in politics, and in 1897 was elected president of the village. In 1895 he married Ida A., daughter of Elijah Fulton one of the carly settlers of the place, and they have two children, Helen and Lewis F.

Soults, Albert, is the son of John Ml. and Rosa (Kepler) Soults, who came to the United States from Germany in the year 18IS, and settled at Antwerp, N. Y., where the subject of our sketch was born in 1866. Mr. Soults received his education in the schools of Antwerp, and after finishing his education he came to Great Bend, where his parents had removed, and where he followed farming until he was twenty-four years of age, when hic entered the mill of the Great Bend Paper Company as back tender, and continued to advance until his present position of machine tender was reached. Of John M. Soults's children, including the subject of this sketch, there was seven: Frank, in the employ of the Great Bend Paper Company; J., a farmer in Champion, N. Y. : Helen, wife of O. G Dodge of Great Bend; Josephine, wife of George Card of Watertown; Anna, who resides at home; Lonise, who resides at home; and George J., a prosperous farmer of Great Bend.

Thompson, Sherman T., was born in Chester, Vt., October 13, 1845. His father, Timothy Thompson, was a native of the same State. The family were among the carly settlers. Timothy married Rhoda, daughter of Isaiah and Amy Edson. He was a farmer and died in his forty-eighth year, leaving his wife and four children, of which the subject of this sketch was the main stay in the struggle for existence. Sherman T. Thompson was educated in the district schools and at Chester Academy, and followed the occupation of a farmer until 1865, when he removed to Boston and was engaged in the clothing business. In IS68 he came to Belleville, Jefferson coun- ty, where he was engaged in farming for three years, and in 1871 entered the em- ploy of N. C. Houghton, who was then postmaster and proprietor of a general store in that place. In 1872 he came to Adams and formed the partnership of Randall & Thompson, which continued until the fall of 1876, when Mr. Randall retired and the firm of Thompson & Little was formed, continuing until 1555, when Mr. Thompson purchased the interest of Mr. Little and has since carried on the business alone, en- joying a large trade in hardware, agricultural implements, etc. In 1\'] he married Mary D, youngest daughter of Alexander and Rhoda Williams of Belleville.

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Babcock, Frederick W .. comes from Puritan stock, his ancestors coming to this country in 1620, and settling in Connecticut. He is a son of llenry H. and Eliza (Wheeler) Babcock, and was born in Watertown, N. Y., where he was educated and where he has always resided. Mr. Babcock has been associated with his father in the carriage business since 1881, and is secretary of the company that bears his father's name. Mr. Babcock is one of Watertown's most honored and successful business men.

Flathway, William H., cashier of the National Bank and Loan Company of Water- town, was born at Cape Vincent, N. Y., in 1850, a son of William and Elizabeth llathway, and grandson of John llathway, who settled in Watertown in 1804. He was educated in the public schools of Watertown. Flis first business experience was as a clerk in the employ of Messrs. Murry & Weaver, with whom he remained until 1867, when he entered the Merchants' Bank as clerk and remained there two years. He then entered the Jefferson County National Bank, where he remained for a period of ten years. At this date be removed to Frankfort, S. D., and in company with Mr. John R. Palmer, opened the James River Bank, where they conducted a general banking business for four years. Mr. Hathway then returned to the East and as- sisted in the organization of the Citizens' National Bank of Adams, where he was cashier for six years and then removed to Watertown and became treasurer of the Watertown Steam Engine Works, which position he now holds. Upon the death of George Il. Sherman, president of the National Bank and Loan Co., Mr. Hathway was elected its cashier and managing officer. Mr. Hathway is a prominent member of the Union Club and one of Watertown's most successful and prosperous citizens.

Bellinger, Smith L., was born in Evans Mills, N. Y., in 1823, a son of Peter and Eve Bellinger, who lived and died in Jefferson county. Smith L. is a farmer by oc- cupation, and has spent his days in Jefferson county. In politics he is a Republican. January 1, 1858, he married Caroline C. Wait, who was born in Antwerp, N. Y., in 1835. was educated in the common schools, daughter of James D)., son of Joseph and Martha Wait, who came from Waitsfield (named after him), Vermont, to Antwerp about 1820, and settled on a farm which they cleared, which is now owned by Mrs. Bellinger, and where they died. James D). Wait was one of the leading farmers of Antwerp, and owned about six hundred acres of land. His wife was Maryette Lan- ton. In politics he was a Republican, and he died in 1883 and his wife in 1843. To S. L. Bellinger and wife were born three children: Cora E., wife of Pitt McAllister, of Antwerp; they have two sons, Elial G. and Glenn. James D., who married Sophronia Youngs for his first wife, by whom he had three children, Carl, Lula M., and Pearl, and who died April 3, 1895; he married, second, on November 7, 1896, Catherine Beefield of Ox Bow, N. Y. ; he has charge of one farm of about three hun . dred acres and keeps twenty-five cows. Wait S., who married E. Finley, and they have two children, May I. and Grace C. Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger had one adopted daughter, Carrie O., wife of Charles Dickson. Wait S. Bellinger and his mother live on the old homestead, and Mr. Bellinger has charge of a farm of three hundred acres of land, and keeps a dairy of fourty-four cows.

Sterling, lloward, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, N. Y., November 8,

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1828, son of John R., son of Daniel Sterling and Mary Bradford, who came to Ant- werp about 1804 and settled on a farm, where they died. The wife of John R. was Roxanna Church, daughter of Ezra Church, one of the first settlers of Antwerp. where he lived and died. He was in the war of 1812. The father of Howard Sterhng was a farmer, who owned about four hundred acres of land, being one of the lead- ing farmers of Antwerp. He was a Democrat in politics, and held the office of high- way commissioner. He died in 1867, and his wife in 1890. They had four daugh- ters and three sons, of whom five are living Our subject was educated in Antwerp, also attended school at Ogdensburgh. He followed farming until he was twenty- two years of age, when he engaged in the iron business in Lewis county, N. Y., for about twelve years, when he again engaged in farming, and now owns about five hundred acres of land in Lewis county. Mr. Sterling came on the farm of two hun- dred and eighty acres he now owns in March, 1876, and also has forty acres from his father's farm. Ile is a Republican in politics, and was highway commissioner eight years, and was also supervisor in the town of Diana, Lewis county, N. Y., two terms. He married Elizabeth P. Bigelow, of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and they have six children, of whom four are living, two daughters and two sons.

Hardy, Clarence G., was born June 6, 1866, a son of David and Anna Hardy, both deceased. Mr. Hardy's ancestors were of that good old historic stock of New Eng- land extraction which formed the nucleus of that patriotism which brought on the Revolution. His great-grandfather, Thomas Hardy, was a native of New Hamp- shire, born in the town of Hollis, in June, 1756; his great-grandmother, Lucy Col- burn, was also born in New Hampshire. Thomas Hardy served his country in the Revolutionary war three years, as a non commissioned officer under General Stark, and was engaged in the memorable battles of Bunker Hill, Bennington and Trenton. Hle married Lucy Colburn and they reared nine children, of whom Phineas Hardy was the grandfather of Clarence G. Phineas was thrown upon his own resources and started out for himself, making his way to the wilds of Jefferson county, N Y., which in those early days (1814) was considered as the far west. He came to Water- town and was for some time employed as a farm laborer. From his earnings, in company with his brother, he purchased 112 acres of land in Rutland township, now owned by his nephew, Charles C. Hardy. He sold his interest in this farm to his brother, and on March 21, 1422, married Sarah Howland, daughter of Richard How- land, of Rutland township, and they had five children: David, Elias, Maria, wife of Simeon Dexter of Black River, Lucy and Phineas (both deceased). He was engaged in the milling business in Black River, and at one time owned a farm in the town of Rutland, where he remained nine years and then went to Lorraine, where he pur- chased 200 acres, finally settling in Le Ray on what is known as the County House farm of 175 aeres. It was upon this farm that Clarence G. Hardy was born and has always resided, and where his parents died. Mr. Hardy's farm consists of 232 acres of choice land, finely situated ; the house is of the square style of architecture, and is one of the finest in the township. His barns and outbuildings are many and in keeping with the beautiful residence. His dairy consists of thirty-five cows of the best Ayrshires, the milk of which is converted into cheese at the neighboring factory. Mr. Hardy is a member of Pamelia Grange No. 68, an Odd Fellow and member of River Side Side Lodge No. 34 of Black River. December 15, 1896, Mr. Hardy was married to Miss Jennie C., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Page of Watertown, N. Y.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Zapf, Francis X., is a son of Casper and Agnes (Waible) Zapf, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to this country in 1858 and settled in Sanford's Corners, where Mr. Zapf obtained employment at his trade, that of cheese maker, in the employ of Francis X. Baumert. It was here our subject was born November 14, 1858. Of Casper Zapf's family there were these children: Louis, a farmer of Diana, Lewis county; Barbara, wife of E. L. McNiel, of Watertown ; and the subject of this sketch, who was educated at the Pierce Union Business College, of Philadelphia, Pa., and after completing his educatiou he returned to his home in the town of Le Ray and took up the trade of his father, that of cheese maker, in various factories in the county, for his father and later secured a position as foreman of the F. X. Banmert establishment in 1853, and remained until 1986, when he removed to Great Bend, and after making cheese during the summer season he entered the employ of the Great Bend Paper Company, and became assistant superintendent, and the year following a stockholder, and was elected secretary of the company in 18SS, which position he acceptably filled uutil May 3, 1896, when the control of the concern passed into the hands of the Taggart Paper Company, of Watertown, since which time he has held the position of assistant to the general manager. May 5, 1880, Mr. Zapf married Julia M., daughter of Joseph and Maria Dodge, of Great Bend, by whom he had five children, four of whom are living: F. Casper, a student at Carthage; Bertha J., Ethel N. and Walter J., who reside at home. In politics Mr. Zapf has until recently been a Democrat, but is now classed among the large army of Independents. He was appointed postmaster at Great Bend and served through President Cleveland's first administration. He is a Master Masou and charter member of Bethany Lodge No. 521. F. and A. M., of Black River. Casper Zapf died May 22, 1878, in Le Ray, aged 51 years. His widow still survives him at the age of seventy years and is a resident of Great Bend.

Dickson, John, was born in Rossie, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., son of James Dickson. He was was educated in the common schools and Ives Seminary, and is now engaged in farming, owning a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres where he lives; also a farm of one hundred and forty-three acres in Antwerp. He makes a specialty of dairying and keeps about forty-two cows. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, and is a member of the Grange. March 4, 1879, he married Lucy A. Ormiston, born in Rossie, St. Lawrence county. in 1950, educated in the common schools and Gouverneur Academy, daughter of George and Helen (Hill) Ormiston ; he was born in Rossie, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., May 11, 1821, died September 6, 1876, son of James Ormiston, a native of Scotland, who came to the United States in 1819, and died in St Lawrence county. Mrs. Ormiston was born in Hammond, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1824, daughter of James Hill who was born December 22, 1793, and in 1819 came to Ogdensburg, N. Y., and died in Gouverneur, N. Y., in 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. Ormiston were born twelve children, of whom three are living. To subject and sketch have been born two children. John Chester, born August 29. 1881; Ilelen E., born October 4, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson are members of the Presbyterian church.

Townsend, Rev. Geo. K., one of the most respected and widely known citizens of the town of Pamelia, and Jefferson county, is a son of Truman B. and Sarah (Allen)

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Townsend, and was born in the town of Pamcha, Jefferson county, N Y November 28, 1832. After completing his education in the district schools of his native town, and the schools of the city of Watertown, he entered the offee of @ L. Wheelock, an architect of Watertown, where he remained for a short time when he returned to the farm, and since 1860 he has resided on his present farm about two miles east of the city of Watertown. May 26, 1859, he married Harriet, daughter of George and Mary (Willard) Golding, and their happy home has been blessed by the birth of five chil- dren to comfort them in their old age: Truman G., George F. Jessie la, Mrs. Arthur E. Babcock and William E. Mr. Townsend's grandfather settled in Jefferson county in 1817, his father being a son of one of three brothers who came to this country from England in the seventeenth century, Mr. Townsend has always been prominently identified with the Prohibition party, and was elected justice of the peace, which office he held for a number of years. He is a member of the Free Methodist church, and hokls a minister's license. Mr. Townsend is a man of sterling integrity, indomitable will, and has always been held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

Burnham, Avery, magnetic healer, is a native of Dunville, Ont., born March 2. 1848. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and it was uot until 1886 that his wonderful magnetic powers were manifest. He has been called to numerous bedsides where the best physicians have given up all hope of recovery, and in a great many cases has rendered a permanent cure. In September, 1883, Mr. Burnham married Cathrine McGowan of Kingston, Ontario. He is a member of the l'rogressive Spiritualist Society, of which he is vice-president, also one of the trustees.

Young, C. A., was born in Theresa, N. Y., November 16, 1868, a son of Abram and Ordell (Miller) Young, natives of Theresa. Abram Young was a son of Nicholas Young, who was a native of Germany and came to Theresa at a very early day, and there lived and died ; he was a farmer and dealer in limburger cheese. Abram was educated in Theresa and is a farmer and hay dealer ; he also owns 361 acres of land. He is a Republican and a member of the I.O.O.F. also charter member of the Grange. He and wife had two children, C. A. (the subject), and Alice, at home. C. A. Young was reared on the farm and educated in Theresa, N. Y. In 1891 he en- gaged in mercantile business and has been very successful. In 1891 he married Elsie M. Hubbard, and they have one son, Earl C., born January 9, 1892. Mr. Young is a Republican and a charter member of the I.O.O. F., also of Grange and I.O.F. and a member of the fire department. Ile and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Young was educated at Theresa and Alexandria Bay and followed teaching for several years.

Brown, W. R., was born in the town of Henderson, August 29, 1854, a son of James S. Brown. James S. was born on the homestead in Henderson which his parents, Amasa and Sally (Hopkins) Brown, had settled in 1805. He married Cor- nelia N. Randell, and through life was interested in agriculture, but personally gave his attention to mercantile pursuits. In 1861 he moved to Adams, where he died in 1895. W. R. Brown was educated at Adams and Rochester, and in 1525 went to

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Big Rapids, Mich., and engaged in the hardware business; he returned to Adams in 1478 and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with his father, buying hus father's interest in 1868. lle traveled for some years and in 1891 established his present business of boots and shoes. In 1877 he married Ella A. Conghlan of Ad- ams, and they have three children: Austin J., Cornelia H. and Lillian C. Mr. Brown has always taken an active interest in school and church work, serving as trusteee of the Baptist church for several years.

Gove, Alanson E., son of Elijah and Minerva (Miller) Gove, was born in Wisconsin in 1857, and came to the State of New York when two years old with his parents. His mother died at that time and from then throughout his childhood days he lived with his aunt, Mrs. Asenath Hoover. In his younger days he worked in the store of (. 11. Zoller of Pamelia and attended the district school. At the age of sixteen he went to Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y., and after spending two years there en- gaged in teaching and has taught forty terms in Jefferson county and at the present time holds a first grade license to teach in the State of New York. During summers he has made cheese for the last twenty years and at the present time owns and operates the Clover Dale cheese factory of Pamelia, N. Y. In 1892 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, William Timerman, and engaged in the mercan- tile business under the firm name of Gove & Timerman, dealers in general merchan- dise. June 6, 1893, he was appointed postmaster under Cleveland's administration. January 12, 1856, he married Sadie Patterson, and they have two children, Arthur E., born December 1, 1886, and Wilson T., born April 18, 1893. Mr. Gove has one brother, Clarence T. Gove of Peunsylvania, and two sisters, Arbella, who married Wilson Timerman of Pamclia, N. Y., and Majina, who married Charles Doxtater of Herkimer, N. Y.

Heller, George, was born in Philadelphia, N. Y., September 20, 1860, a son of Christian and Mary (Knell) Heller, natives of Germany. Christian Heller came to New York city when a young man and later to Watertown and Philadelphia, where he spent a short time and married, then came to Theresa where he engaged in the manufacture of limburger cheese and continued in that business until his death in 1866. His widow married Adam Hild, and they had six children and by her first husband she had three: George, Henry, of Arizona and Willie C. (deceased). George HIeller was educated in Theresa and learned the carpenter's trade and with the ex- ception of one year traveling has been with E. 1). Sheeley, builder and contractor. In February, 1896, he formed a partnership with E. D. Sheeley and the firm is now known at Theresa as George Heller & Co., sash, blinds and doors, contractors and builders. In 1882 Mr. Heller married Eva E. Seeber, born in Theresa and daughter of John D. and Mary J. Seeber, and they had one son, Harry S., born March 8, 1883. Mr. Heller is a Republican in polities; he is a member of the I. O. F. of Theresa. Ile and wife attend the Episcopal and other churches.

Gray. R. L., M. D., was born in the town of Clayton, January 31, 1870. He re- ceived a literary education at the Clayton Uuion School and Adams Collegiate Insti- tute. He studied medicine at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and was graduated in the spring of 1897. He then commenced his practice in Clayton and has elegantly

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appointed offices in the new Johnson block. Dr. Gray's parents were John and Naney (Dillin) Gray. On his mother's side the family have been American for gen- erations ; his grandparents on his father's side came from Scotland,

Taylor, Capt. J. A., was born in Gananaqua, Ontario, Canada, October 3, 1821, a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Rosbeck) Taylor, Captam Taylor came to the United States when twelve years old and followed sailing until 1817. In that year he built a steam saw mill which be conducted until 1861, when he enlisted in the N. Y. Heavy Artillery, with the rank of first lieutenant. le resigned in 1863 and in the fall of 1861 enlisted in the 186th Regimeut, serving until the close of the war and was pres. ent at the surrender at Appomattox. He held the commission of second lieutenant during this service. After the war he conducted a saw mill at Alexandria Bay until 1872. In 1871 he purchased a pleasure yacht and ran it on the river for fifteen years. Captain Taylor's greatest project has been the development of Murray Hill Park ; he purchased what was formerly known as Hemlock Island, formed a stock company. surveyed the island into lots, arranged for the building of the great Murray Hill Hotel, and in short made Murray Hill what it is to day; he is vice-president of the company. Captain Taylor married Julia A. Conwell of Oswego, and they had two children: Mrs. C. C. Pierce of Fine View Hotel, and Ada J., wife of Dr. Maxson of Bay City. Mich., who died leaving one daughter, Minnie A. Captain Taylor is largely interested in real estate throughout the county and owns a steam yacht on the river.

Fox, Byron, was born October 10, 1810, and followed the occupation of farming until thirty-three years of age, when he went into the mercantile business with R. Terry and so continued for five years. lle was then in business for himself for one year, when he returned to farming and in 1896 traded his farm for a grist mill in Depauville, Mr. Fox is a Democrat in politics and is justice of the peace, which position he has held for eight years, He married Sarah Gloyd and they have four children : Mrs. Charles Durfee, Mrs. Dr. Dale, Wilbur A. and Byron Harris. Mr. ·Fox has been delegate to many conventions and was nominated for member of as. sembly by the Democratic party in 1889. He has been trustee for over thirty years and treasurer for a great many years. Mr. Fox's father came to Clayton in 1832 from Cortland county, and was a prominent man of his day. He was elected to the Legislature in 1850 and from 1853 to 1857 was customs officer at Cape Vincent, after which he returned to the farm where he resided until his death in 1850. His wife was Lucy Harris.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 115

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