Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 117

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 117

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Here the regiment remained until May, 1866, when it was mustered out. Upon re- ceiving his final discharge Mr. Foster's actual time in the service was five and one- half years. lle participated in many of the prominent battles of the war, and has an army record of which he may well feel proud. In 1871 he married Josephine Moffatt of Dexter, and they have one son who resides at home. Mr. Foster is hekl in high esteem at his home in Dexter. He has served the village as president, being elected in 1896, and has served three terms on the Board of Trustees. He is a mem- ber of Dexter Lodge No. 888, 1. O. G. T .; of Court Dexter, 490, 1. O. Foresters and has been for five terms chief ranger of the lodge. lle is also a Mason and holds membership in Brownville Lodge No. 53, F. & A. M. Mr. Foster was among the earliest to help institute the G. A. R. in 1867. He is a member of Broadbent Post No. 188 of Dexter and has occupied the chair of commander four terms and holds the position of county inspector on the staff of department commander A. D. Shaw.

Frink, Daniel, is one of the earlier settlers of the city of Watertown and his busi- ness career has been closely identified with the development of the city. He has watched the expansion of the city with the keen interest of one who desires to con- tribute to the welfare of the community where he has spent a successful life. He was born in the town of Brookfield, Madison county. N. Y., January 1, 1820. Ilis education from schools was limited and confined to the elementary grades. Ilis early days were spent on a farm and his first business experience was in the lime and coal business, in which he was successfully engaged until 188], when he em- barked in the undertaking business, which business he has since conducted. Mr. Frink was united in marriage, June 2, 1847, to Susan D. Burdick, having celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary June 2, 1897. lle has been prominent in a num- ber of business enterprises which have materially accelerated the growth of the city. and he bears the reputation of being one of the most public-spirited of the citizens of Watertown.

Mansfield, Lois F., M. D., was born in Manlius, Onondaga county, N. Y., October 5, 1830. She began the study of medicine with Dr. Sprague while teaching the dis- trict school in Manlius Center in 1847. Again, while teaching school in Burr's Mills, Jefferson county, in 1853, she read medicine under the direction of Dr. C. D. Potter. She was graduated from the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, Ill., in 1876, and joined the Jefferson County Medical Society October 3, 1876. She is in active prac- tice in Watertown at the present time, 1897.

Noble, F. M., was born in Burlington, Vt., November 28, 1822, a son of Henry and Clarissa (Higbee) Noble, both natives of Vermont, first coming to Franklin county, N. Y., and in 1841 came to Ellisburg, where they lived and died. lle was a Repub- lican, and they had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. F. M. Noble was educated in the common schools; he has been a great student and is a well informed man. He owns a farm of fifty- three acres, where he resides, and the island lot of ninety-six acres. In 1849 he married Sophronia 1. Hazelton, and they had three children: Herbert J., a farmer, a Republican, a member of Rising Light Lodge No. 637, F. & A. M., and of the 1. O. F. ; Fayette E. is employed in the life saving station, a Republican and member of Rising Light Lodge No. 63%, F. & A. M ..

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and of the I. O. O. F., and Florence F. (deceased); she was the wife of Loriston Matthews, and they had three children. Frank, Bessie and Gracie. Mr. Noble is an ardent Republican and was deputy collector of customs for a number of years. Mrs. Noble died in 1896.

Fillmore, D. L., was born on the farm he owns, June 7, 1827. a son of Amaziah and Salle (Richardson) Fillmore. Amaziah Fillmore was born in Middletown, Vt., and came to the town of Ellisburgh about 1812, settling on the farm D. L. now owns, and here lived and died. Ile was a Democrat and was highway commissioner. The family are related to President Fillmore. His wife was born in Massachusetts, and died in 1864 D. L. Fillmore was educated in the common schools, and is engaged in farming, having 195 acres of land and a dairy of twenty-five cows. His father had about 600 acres of land, being one of the leading farmers of the town. Mr. Fill- more was married September 9, 1847, to Mary G. Worthington, and they had one daughter, Fannie S., wife of F. H. Millard of Ellisburgh, and one son, Dyer F. Mrs. Fillmore died October 3, 1875, Mr. Fillmore married, October 21, 1876, Sophia L. Wood. She died May 3, 1890, and he married August 3, 1893. Emily A. Thayer. Mr. Fillmore is a Democrat in politics and a member of Union Grange No. 5 of Belleville.

Foreman, William E., was born in the town of Lorraine, Jefferson county, N. Y., October 4, 1852. At the age of seventeen years he removed to Pierrepont Manor in the adjoining town and still occupies the old residence. August 31, 1850, he was married to Miss Estella M. Goodenough of Pierrepont Manor, two children being born to them. Harrison William and Charlotta Estella, now being educated. Mr. Foreman has varied business interests, principally agriculture and real estate, Like his family before him, he has been a lifelong and active member of the English church, a Mason, and in politics a Democrat.

Carpenter. John H., was born in Madison county, N. Y., December 13, 1834, a son of Ezekiel W. and Maria (Davis) Carpenter. Ezekiel Carpenter was a native of Woodstock and was a contractor and builder; he was first a Whig and then a Re- publican and held minor town offices; he died in 1888. John H. was reared in Wood- stock and educated in the district schools; he started when fourteen years of age to work in a sash and blind factory in Syracuse; in 1860 was working with Phelps & Chase in their organ factory. In 1861 he engaged in the manufacture of chairs at Belleville, and had a store at No. 69 South Salina street, Syracuse, N. Y. He kept store for two years and in 1863 moved to Belleville, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of furniture and is very successful; he has also been engaged in the undertaking business and owns ten houses and lots. Mr. Carpenter is one of the well-to-do men of his village and has made his own propety. He married Marcia S., daughter of Zina Chapman, builder and contractor of Syracuse, and they had four children Jennie, Adelbert (died in 1873), William and Zina. Jennie married Henry D. Ellis of Ellisburgh, and lives in Grand Rapids: William married Carrie Streeter, and he works with his father. and Zina married Chloe Wager, and he also is work- ing with his father. Mrs. Carpenter died August 5. 1891. Mr. Carpenter is a Repub- hean and has hell all the offices in the village and for twenty years has been one of

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the trustees of the academy. He is a member of Rising Light Lodge No. 637, and for twenty-four years has been secretary of the lodge.

Matthews, John L., was born in Ellisburgh in 1852, son of Dexter, son of Michael, son of Thomas, one of the first settlers of the town of Ellsburgh. The grandfather and great-grandfather both died in Ellisburgh The wife of Michael was Sarah Boomer, daughter of Matthew Boomer, Dexter Matthews was born in Ellisborgh in 1824, and educated there ; he was one of the wealthy farmers of the town and owns at present 154 acres of land, keeping a dairy of twenty cows. His wife is Polly ller- riman, born in 1832 in the town of Sandy Creek, who bore him seven children, of whom four are now living. John L., the subject; Edward D., born December 12. 1857, married Lena Scott, and has two children, Maud L. and Clarence S ; Sibyl, born in 1861, wife of Fred Ellis; Emory, born in 1868, resides with his father. Dex- ter Matthews and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Belleville. John 1. Matthews was educated in his native town and isa farmer, also an extensive stock dealer. He owns 161 acres of land and keeps a dairy of twenty-five cows. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of Mannsville Grange. September 12, 1877, he mar- ried Eva Chrisman (born in 1857), and they have one son, Alvah. They attend the Methodist Goodenough church, and help to support it. Mrs. Matthews's parents were John M. (born in 1831), and Catharine (born in 1834), (Ellis) Chrisman, both de- ceased ; they had three children, of whom two are now living: Myron, born in 1856. married Nellie Chrisman, and has two children, Floyd and Allen; and Mary, born in 1861. Iler grandfather, Nicholas Chrisman, was one of the early settlers ; her great- grandfather, Caleb Ellis, was one of the first settlers of the town, and it is said that he built the first grist mill in the town ; he was an extensive land owner and one of the leading men of his time.

Clark, Herman Sylvester, dealer in flour, feed, seeds, salt, lime, brick, coal and wood, was born in Ellisburgh, May 28, 1860, a son of Florello R. and Mary A. (East- man) Clark. He was educated in the common schools and Hungerford Collegiate In- stitute of Adams, and Chaffee's Business College of Oswego. Ile is a farmer and owns about 100 acres of land in Ellisburgh and two lotsin Mannsville, where he came in 1896 and erected a store in which he conducts his business Mr. Clark still retains his interest in agriculture, being a member of Mannsville, Jefferson county, Pomona, and New York State Granges. lle is a Republican, and takes an active part in ad- vancing the interests of that party. He was appointed postmaster at Mannsville, September 22, 1897. December 16, 1887, he married Viola Kelsey, of Sandy Creek, and they have one daughter, Helen 1., born October 30, 1891.

Green, James E., was born in Ellisburgh, April 3, 1830, a son of Col. Henry and llannah (Packer) Green. Henry Green was born in Connecticut, and in 1807 came to Ellisburgh ; he married his wife in Vermont and came again to Ellisborgh in 1809. settling on 153 acres of land, where he lived and died. He was a farmer, a Demo- crat in politics, and held minor offices. He and his wife had six children, two of whom are now living. James E., and Mary, wife of Simeon Matthews of Henderson. James E. was educated in the common schools and Belleville Academy, which his father was very active in building, being president of the board at one time and

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trustee many years. At fifteen years of age James E. began his business career as a clerk in Henderson, and at the age of twenty-two engaged in mercantile business in Henderson, and after a few years came to Belleville, where for thirty years he car- ried on the same business very successfully. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. L, 10th N. Y. Artillery and was mustered in as captain, serving one year. In 1897 Mr. Green sold out his business and has since been a buyer of general produce. In politics Mr. Green was independent during the war, but has been a Democrat since ; he was twice elected supervisor, the town being about 400 Republican majority, and has been a candidate for Assembly, also sheriff of the county. Mr. Green is a charter member of Rising Light Lodge No. 627, F. & A. M., and was a member of the G. A. R. post in Belleville. He has married three times, first, to Eliza Mathers, who died in 1853, and he then married Flora Cole, by whom he had two children, Floyd and Ella. Mrs. Green died in 1863, and in 1865 he married Flora Smith, and they had three chil- dren. Henry S., Fred O., and Flora.

Martin, Elisha B., was born in Ellisburgh, N. Y .. July 3, 1817, a son of Benjamin and Rachael (Hicks) Martin. Benjamin Martin came from Rhode Island about 1804 and lived and died in Ellisburgh in the house where Elisha B. now lives. Elisha B. was educated in the common schools and has always been a farmer, being the owner of 110 acres of land. September 9, 141, Mr. Martin married Philena Lammon, who died in 1850, and in 1553 he married Julia Beeman, who has borne him three chil- dren. Mary A., born in 1855: Herbert E., born in 1859 and died October 3, 1863; and Walter S., born June 25, 1861. Walter S. was educated at Belleville Academy and married Nellie E. McLean, and they have had two children, Carl E. (deceased), and Lulu J. Out of nine children in Mr. Martin's father's family, only two are now liv- ing, himself and Sylvester G., who was born June 29, 1821. Ile was educated in the common schools and followed teaching in early life and farming. March 17, 1843, he removed to Rhode Island, and began as a clerk for some years, then engaged in the mercantile business at Providence, and has with the exception of one year been engaged in business there. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and a temperance man always. He married twice; his first wife was Leifa P. Cornell, and his second wife Susan B. Padeford, a niece of Governor Padeford. He has a son who is one of the first architects in Providence, being of the firm of Martin & Hall. Sylvester Martin has been and is at present a director of two banks, a savings bank and national bank, with a capital of $300,000.

Lee, Frank L., was born in Ellisburgh, February 26, 1858, a son of Alonzo Lee (see sketch of Daniel Lee). Frank L. was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools and Union Academy of Belleville. He followed teaching sev- eral terms and has since been engaged in farming, owning fifty acres of land. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Banner cheese factory of Ellisburgh. In poli- ties lie is a Republican ; and is a member of Union Grange No. 5, of Belleville, N. Y. February 22, 1883, he married Alta J., daughter of Martin E. and Amelia A. (Hall) Wood, natives of Ellisburgh. Martin Wood was a son of Franklin and Rachael (Martin) Wood, early settlers of the town, he was a farmer, and Republican in poli- tics. He and his wife had two children, Mrs. Charles E. Spicer of Adams and Mrs. Frank L. Lee. Mr. Wood died June 12, 1872, and Mrs. Wood married Simon Wood

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of Woodville for her second husband, and they had one child, Orson S. Simon Wood died May 29, 1885, and his wife June 1, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have three children Ralph M., born January 15, 1855; Morris E., born Jaunary 23, 1891; and Frank L., jr., born October 5, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Lec are members of the Baptist church of Belleville.

Sanford, Ambrose J., was born in Jefferson county, town of Lyme, January 1. 1826, a soon of Amos and Lowvice (Foreman) Sanford Amos was born in Vermont in 1796 and came to Lyme, Jefferson county, when a young man with his parents, Thomas and Luey Sanford, who lived and died in this county. Amos was a day laborer and a Whig; he died November 7, 1867. Mrs. Sanford was born in West- moreland in 1807, and died in 1890. Ambrose J. was educated in the common schools, and in 1810 moved on the farm he now owns of 125 acres, and keeps about twenty cows. April 25, 1850, he married Frances A. Phelps, born at Bedford Creek, Jefferson county, N. Y., February 12, 1832, and daughter of John W. and Hannah (Jones) Phelps. Mr. Phelps was a native of Vermont and his wife of Massachusetts, and they were early settlers in Jefferson county. They had thirteen children; he died in 1861 and his wife in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford had two children: Emma. wife of Joseph Cronk, and they had four sons, Edgar W., Henry S., Alton J. and Jesse E. ; and Erwin M , a farmer who owns seventy-eight acres of land, keeps ten cows, and also works his father's farm. His wife was Phena Gilbert, and they have two sons, William A and Milton B. Mr. Sanford is a Republican and a member of the Grange; his wife died May 28, 1894.

Lee, Daniel W., was born in Ellisburgh, N. Y., October 3. 1845. Ile was educated in the common schools and by occupation is a farmer, owning 125 aeres of land, and a dairy of twenty cows, making a specialty of breeding short-horn dairy cattle. January 14. 1868, he married Mary M. Stilwell (born in Ellisburgh), daughter of William and Hannah (Kibling) Stilwell, and they have one adopted son, Eugene S .. who married Sarah C. Richardson. In politics Mr. Lee is a Prohibitionist, and he and wife are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Lee is a member of the Grange. and Eugene S. and wife are members of the Good Templars Lodge at Woodville. Mr. Lee's father was Alonzo Lee, a son of Ozias Lee, who was born in Connecticut. July 6, 1777, and about the year 1810 came with an ox team to Elhsburgh and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by George W. Bigelow. Ile died August 14. 1833, on the farm now owned and occupied by Chester L. Lee. Alonzo Lee was a member of the State militia for several years, receiving the commissions of lieutenant and captain in the mean time; and in the spring of 1838 the regiment to which he belonged served several days guarding French Creek (Clayton) during the Patriot war; he with others receiving each a land warrant as a bounty for their services. He was one of the leading farmers of his town, owning at the time of his death 225 acres of land. In politics he was a Republican and always upheld the fundamental principles of his party. He died July 19, 1477, aged sixty-three years His wife was Sarah S. Hildreth, born in Ellisburgh, and daughter of John and Sallie (Cook) Hildreth, who were among the early settlers of the town. Mrs. Lee died January 2. 1892, aged seventy-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lee were born eleven children ; three died in infancy ; the others are as follows: Julia A., died July 5, 1889. Minnie

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A . died October 12, 1859. Daniel W. (the subject of this sketch). John Q., born in Elhsburgh, July 2. 1847, married Mary E. Downer and has had four children, Arthur E., Ama M. (died April 20, 188%), Alonzo J. and Manford C. Alden S., born in Ellisburgh, July 20, 1819, married Frances J. Shelden and has had three children, Floyd M., Nina J. and Anson S. Chester L., born in Ellisburgh, August 6, 1855, married Adaline E. Johnston, of Onslow, Iowa, and has five children, Milton R., Edna G., Florence M., Ross C. and Roth A. Frank L., born February 26, 1858, married Alta J. Wood, and has three sons, Ralph M., Morris E. and Frank L., jr. A Eugene, born May 22, 1860, married Etta L. Ryther and has three daughters, Wilda S., Elva M. and Jennie I.

Bigelow, George, W., was born in Ellisburgh, N. Y., February 26, 1837, a son of lloratio N. and Ann (Arnold) Bigelow. Horatio N. was born in Massachusetts, and moved to Ellisburgh on to the fam where J. K. Bigelow now lives. Mr. Bigelow's grandfather, Jonathan Bigelow, lived and died in Massachusetts. He was a Re- publican in politics and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. George W. Bigelow was educated in the common school and follows farming, own- ing 126 acres of land, which is worked by his son. Mr. Bigelow has been twice married, the first time in 1859. to Frank E. Northrop, who died in 1862, and in 1864 he married Julia W. Terry, by whom he has three children: Frank W., George, jr .. and H. N. Frank is employed as bookeeper by the Western Electric Company in Chicago. Mr. Bigelow is a Republican in politics, a member of Rising Light Lodge No. 637. F. & A. M., and of Union Grange No. 5 of Belleville. He is a member of the Baptist church and his wife of the Methodist. He has been for about ten years one of the trustees of Union Academy. Mr. Bigelow's father, Horatio N. Bigelow, married Waitie A. Arnold, October 13, 1831. He was born November 7, 1805, and died in 1885. His wife was born November 19, 1813, and died in November, 1871. Their children were: Emily F., born April 10, 1833; George W., born February 27, 1837; Almena E., born April 17. 1-40; James K. P., born February 10, 1846, and Fannie A., born April 15, 1855. He married, second, Mrs. Cecelia Tilton in 1976; she is still living.

Converse, Frank A., was born in Woodville, May 12, 1462, a son of James F. and Marietta (Bull) Converse. He was educated at the public school in his own village, is a graduate of Union Academy of Belleville, N. Y., and later took the four years' course in agriculture at Cornell University. In 1859 he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, just adjacent to the village of Woodville. He is largely in- terested in berry culture, also a breeder of Ayrshire cattle and Shetland ponies. Since the completion of his university course he has been connected with the State De- partment of Agriculture as lecturer upon dairy and fruit topics at farmers' institutes. He has contributed to the agricultural press for some years, and both as a writer and speaker has gained a State reputation. In politics he is a Republican ; he is a member of Rising Light Lodge No. 637, F. & A. M. For many years he has been identified with grange work in the State, having a membership in Union Grange No. 5, at Belleville, N. Y. Mr. Converse was married to Frances E. Gates of New York city in February, 1859. Three sons bless this union. Gates, Terry and Howard.

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Sias, W. H1. II., M. D., born September 11, [80, in llenderson, N. V .. son of Jeremiah Sias, a native of Vermont. Jeremiah Sias, born in 1796, in company with Jeremiah Parker, emigrated from Vermont to Henderson, N. V., on foot, crossing Lake Champlain on the ice in 1813, being then but seventeen years of age. Jeremiah Sias spent most of his life in Henderson and Ellisburgh. lle was a carpenter by trade, a Swedenborgian in faith and wrote extensively for the Swedenborgian papers. lle also delivered many lectures on the Swedenborg theology. In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party. He was among the first to join the ranks of that party for freedom. Ile died in the fall of 1878, aged eighty-two years. Dr. Sias received his preliminary education in the country school in Henderson, and took a four years' course at Belleville Union Academy. lle taught several terms in some of the best schools of the county, and served three years (1876 68) as school commissioner of Jefferson county. He studied medicine three years with Dr. E. R. Maxson, one of the best physicians of Northern N. Y., and took a two years' course in Syracuse Medical University and one year in the University Medical College of New York city, where he graduated in the class of '82. He was married August 28. 1866, to Melssa R. Tifft of Mannsville, N. V., and unto them were born five children, three sons and two daughters, as follows: Henry 11. Sias, born July 11, 1867, in Henderson, N. Y .; married to Mary Undson of Ellisburgh 1890; taught school several terms; for several years past he has been with J. 11. Gilbert of Adams in the clothing business. Florence R. Sias, born in Henderson, February 11, 1870, died December 28, 1881; she was buried at Woodside Cemetery, Ellisburgh, N. V. Rev. Hattie May Sias was born in Henderson, N. Y., May 22, 1873; attended school at Hungerford Collegiate Institute, taught school several years, took a three years' course at St. Lawrence University, Theological department, graduated and was or- dained as a Universalist minister in June, 1897; she was married to Dr. Stanly R. Hutchings, October 28, 1897, of Springfield, Ohio, where they now reside. Rev. George W. Sias was born January 15, 1875, in Henderson, N. Y. : taught school several terms, took a three years' course at St. Lawrence University, graduated and. was ordained as a Universalist minister in June, 1896; located as pastor of the First Universalist church in Springfield Ohio, in July of the same year; he was married August 19, 1897, to Christiana S. Brown of Watertown, N. V. Walter E. Sias, born December 23, 1882, in Ellisburgh, N. V., where he is attending the village school; he is a brillant scholar and will no doubt take a front seat among his fellow men. Mc- lissa R., wife of Dr. Sias, was born May 10, 1841, in Ellisburgh, N. Y .; she is a daughter of Thomas W. and buzina IT. Tifft. Her mother was one of the real daughters of the Revolution; her father was a soldier in the war of 1812 at Sackets Harbor and ranked as captain. Melissa is therefore a daughter of the war of 1812. and a granddaughter of the Revolution.

Smith, D'Estaing A., was born on the old homestead in the town of Hounsfield, December 1, 1859. 1lis education was obtained in the public and select schools and he is one of the town's best farmers. February 23, 1886, he married Nellie E. Reed, of Adams, and they have four children : Willett C., Roy R., George W. and Mildred J. Mr. Smith's father, Willett E., was born in Hounsfield, October 28, 1834. He was educated in the schools of his day and was also a farmer. lle married Zelpha A. Baker of his native town, and they had four children: D'Estaing (as above), Fred MI.,

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John B. and Viola (who died at the age of four years). Mr. Smith died August 11, 1887, and his wife September 6, 1881. Mrs. Nellie E. Smith's father, Chauncey Reed. was born in the town of Watertown, in 1831. He was educated in the district schools and followed farming through life. He married Emeline Bates of llounsfield, and they had eight children; two died in infancy, the others are Merrick, Ida, George, Nellie E., Burt and Emma. Mr. Reed died in 1885; his widow survives at this date, 1897. Mr. Smith in his political choice is a thorough Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of Star Grange No. 9, P. of 1. The ancestry of the family on both sides is of New England origin.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 117

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