Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 120

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 120

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August 26, 1881: George H., born December 23, 1862, and Mary E., born June 29. 1871. Mr. Render is an official member of the Grange, he and his wife having twice represented the county Grange in State Grange. George 11. Render is a member of the M. E. church, of the Masonic order, and the Patrons of Husbandry; he has been master of the grange for several years, has represented it in the county and State Grange, and is a member of the National Grange. Mary E. Render was graduated from Ives Semmary and from Syracuse University, class of '72, and is now teaching music, painting and languages. She is a member of the M. E. church and also the grange.

Chase, Levi, was born in Maine, February 22, 1808, a son of John and Olive (Seavey) Chase, natives of Maine. Ilis grandfather, John Chase, was a native of England and died in East Indies with yellow fever. He came to Portland, Me., in early life and was a sailor. John Chase went to Utica in 1816 and in 1822 to Ant- werp, being one of the first settlers. He died March 8, 1855, and his wife died Feb- ruary 23, 1851. Levi Chase was reared on a farm and had a very limited education. He has lived on the farm where he now resides fifty five years, owns seven hundred acres of land and keeps seventy cows; for many years he has been an extensive stock dealer. In 1838 he married Harriet Shurtleff, and they had three daughters: Catherine, Amelia and Mary A., and one son, Delavin. Mrs. Chase died in 1892, aged eighty-three years. Catharine married Abial Shurtleff and they had one son, Clinton. His father died when he was young and he was brought up by his grand- father, Levi Chase, and took the name of Clinton Chase. Catherine Shurtleff mar- ried again, Mr. Albert Velasko, and they had one daughter, Kittie. Mr. Velasko died in 1879. Amelia married Allen Ostrander, and they have one daughter, Hattic, wife of Randolph A. Bodman. Mary A. married Oliver Ostrander, and had two children: Luella, wife of George Davis, and Howell. Mr. Ostrander died Septem - ber 8, 1889. Delavin Chase married Ida Ostrander and they had three children : Carrie, wife of Guy Young, Alice F. and Levi. Mrs. Chase died in 1879. His second wife was Malissa Bartlett, and they had three daughters Eva, Mildred and Harriet. Levi Chase is a Democrat and has been and is now one of the leading farmers of his town. He drove the first ox team in his neighborhood between Shurtleff's Corners and Bishop's Corners and his step-grandfather, Joshua Fairbanks, shot two deer at that time.

Casey, James, & Sons .- The firm is James Casey, sr., James, jr., and George Casey. James Casey, sr., was born at Fort Covington. N. Y., February 14, 1839, a son of William and Margaret (Canada) Casey, and grandson of Morris Casey who came from Ireland to Franklin county in an early day and spent his days on a farm where he died at age seventy years. His wife was Maggie O'Neal. Margaret Can- ada was a daughter of John and Mary Canada, who also came to New York from Ireland and settled near Albany and died in Wisconsin. Morris Casey and wife had two sons and one daughter; William Casey and wife had five sons and two daugh- ters, four sons and two daughters now living. James Casey, sr., was educated in the common schools of Franklin county and Theresa; he went to school to Ex-Gov- ernor Flower. Mr. Casey started out in life for himself at the age of fourteen, working on a farm. He worked for Ed. Cooper until his death, when he rented Mr.

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Cooper's farm and then bought a farm of 125 acres and added to it until he now has 600 acres. In 1890 he engaged in a general store at Theresa and the firm has been known as Casey & Sons. Previous to this Mr. Casey was engaged in shipping stock, hay and produce and has been an extensive breeder and dealer in trotting horses. In 1866 he married Mary Cornwell of Theresa, and they had two sons and one daughter, Millie A., William George and James, jr. In politics Mr. Casey is a Re- publican, and is liberal in religious views. Ile has made his own property and is one of the well-to-do men of Theresa. In addition to the property mentioned Mr. Casey owns the Casey block, five dwelling houses, machine shop, blacksmith shop, etc. Mrs. Casey died March 23, 1856. Daniel Casey, oldest brother of James, jr., went to California in 1852 at the age of twenty-two and died at the age of fifty-two, leaving a wife and two children and an estate of $153,000; Morris, second brother, went to Galesville, Wis., and started a grist mill, was also a farmer and postmaster and leading man of the place; the fourth brother, John, was engaged in the flax business at Theresa and is now a wealthy man at Kansas City. His fifth brother. William, is now in Oregon running a sheep, horse and cattle ranch ; his oldest sister is wife of Dr. Gandett of Redwood, and his second sister is wife of James Demsic of Fort Covington, N. Y.

Smith, A. T., was born in the town of Gouverneur, a son of Zadock and Clarissa (Walker) Smith, he born in Vermont, and she in Richville, N. Y., a daughter of Jo- siah Walker, one of the first settlers in St. Lawrence county. Josiah Walker drove from Berkshire county, Mass., with a pair of oxen and settled in St. Lawrence county on a farm, built himself a house and returned to Massachusetts with the same conveyance for his bride, Rhoda Upham, and returned to the farm where he lived to a good old age. They were charter members of the Congregational church at Richville, and he was a deacon for many years, and they always enjoyed the love and esteem of their acquaintances. Mr. Smith's parents purchased a farm near Richville, where they resided until about 1862, when his father enlisted in the 106th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., and was killed at Culpepper, Va., near the close of the war. Fle was educated at the Richville school and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. At the age of thirteen he entered a store as clerk and continued in the same occupa- tion until 1882, when he engaged in business for himself, and for the past thirteen years has conducted a drug store at Theresa. He is a self-made man, never having had assistance from any source since he was about ten years of age. In 1889 he married Jennie Peck, daughter of F. M. Peck, an old merchant resident of Theresa. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics and a member of the county and town com- mittee. He is now president of the village and a member of the Board of Education. He is a prominent Mason, being the present master of Theresa Lodge, No. 171. F. & A. M .; a member of Theresa Chapter, R.A. M. ; Watertown Commandery; and Media Temple, A. A.O. N. M.S.

Baird, John S , was born at Waterloo, N. Y., September $ 1865, and after receiv- ing his schooling entered the jewelry store of John R. Montague, at Waterloo, where he remained for three years. In 1\$5 he came to Watertown, and in company with W. W. Scott, established a jewelry business, to which he succeeded as sole proprietor in 1-90. He is a practical and skilled jeweler and optician, and by hard work and

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honorable dealings has acquired a large and influential patronage. Ilis place of business at No. 4 Paddock Block, which he has occupied since 1890, is centrally located, comprising a fine store (and basement) 25 by 25 feet in dimensions, in which is built a modern vault, guarded by the famous Vale time lock. Mr. Baird does not confine his operations alone to Watertown, but does business in all parts of the United States, issuing for this purpose a beautiful 100 paged catalogue, embellished with fine engravings, representing over 4,000 different articles, lle also carries a full and complete assortment of optical goods and scientific appliances for testing purposes. A leading specialty of the establishment is diamond setting, fine and complicated watches, jewelry, etc. Energy, keen business acumen, and methods governed by integrity and fairness have been the elements underlying his success. In his career as a business man and citizen his record is untarnished and he merits the success he has won.

Canfield, Sheldon S., came from New England stock and brought with him a sup- ply of physical, moral and mental health which have all served him a good purpose and brought him to three score years and ten, in the full enjoyment of his faculties unimpaired, and with his zeal and energy still equal to all the numerous calls made upon him. He was born August 11. 1826 a son of Rev. Rufus Canfield, who was born in Massachusetts and removed to Herkimer county where he resided until his death. His mother was Tabitha (Arnold) Canfield, born in Rhode Island. Mr. Can- field's ancestors were of Scotch descent and the first representatives came to this country in 1650, settling in Connecticut. Mr. Canfield's education began in the dis- triet schools and was finished in the town of Brownville, Jefferson county, N. Y. His first employment was on the lakes where he remained for six years, and then formed a copartnership with his son-in-law, Mr. Irwin, under the firm name of Can- field & Irwin, dealers in general merchandise at Fabius, Onondaga county, N. Y., which partnership was continued for a period of two years. The firm of Canfield & Irwin was a successful one and had a large and lucrative business. On his farm in the town of Watertown, which now comprises 112 acres of the richest land in Jeffer- son county, he began in a very modest way and is now in possession of ample fortune where he now enjoys the same in semi-retirement. March 5, 1849, he married Ann, daughter of James and Rebecca (Fisher) Tremper, and they have an only daughter, Mrs. W. H. Irwin of Waterville, N. Y. They have three grandchildren of whom they are very proud: Fred C. Irwin, a medical student of New York; Edith A. and Hazel C. Mr. Canfield is a member of De Ruyter Lodge No. 692, F. & A. M. HFc has always been a Republican in politics and has been often solicited to become a candidate for political office, but has resolutely declined, preferring the honorable labors and duties of the farm to the unenviable responsibilities and doubtful rewards of political life.

Tyler, Horace E., was born in the town of Rutland, Jefferson county, N. Y., Octo- ber 30, 1>19. In 1859 he removed with his parents to Watertown, and in 1862 fin- ished his common school education. At this date he commenced his apprenticeship with W. D. Wilson as blacksmith, served his time and then worked for him until 1874. Hle then started into business for himself in the ornamental iron works and the next year E. J. Harmon and A. Ladue became his partners and they manufac-

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tured agricultural implements. In 1880 his health failing him he sold his interest in the business to the other partners. In 1882 after regaining health he engaged with the IJ. H. Babcock Buggy Co. as superintendent of the shipping department and re- mained with them one year, then formed a copartnership with W. W. Conde of Watertown, and George Penn of Syracuse, under the firm name of Maud S. Gear Co., with Mr. Tyler for superintendent. In 1889 he embarked in the coal business with his brother, W. D. Tyler, which firm still exists as it was then organized. Mr. Tyler brought to this enterprise experience and a well trained judgment and has succeeded in extending their trade until it covers every part of the city.

Muzzy, John Boyden, was born in the town of Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., January 4, 1870. a son of Joseph B. Muzzy, a farmer of that town. John B. was edu- cated in the common schools of his native town and at Union Academy (Belleville). Ile taught school for one year and in the fall of 1891 entered the law department of the University of Michigan, when he returned home and taught one year, then en- tered the office of Elon R. Brown, with whom he studied until admitted to the bar February 7, 1896. He remained with Mr. Brown as managing clerk, until December 1, 18006, when he then engagel in practice alone. In the fall of 1896 Mr. Muzzy was elected justice of the peace, which position he resigned April 1, 1897, to take the office of deputy county clerk. Ile is a member of the 39th Sep. Co., N. Y. S. N. G., and of the Lincoln League.

Goodale, Henry D., one of Watertown's foremost and influential citizens, was born in that city in 1852, a son of Dr. Charles and Mary (Sewall) Goodale. His grand- father, Dr. Reuben Goodale, came from Oneida county at an early day and was one of the first physicians of the city of Watertown. His father was a graduate from the hospitals of Paris, and was engaged in the practice of his profession until his death in 1876. After Henry D. finished his schooling he entered the office of the National Bank and Loan Company of Watertown, continuing with that institution, being advanced from office boy to the responsible position of teller and cashier, hav- ing been in their employ from 1869 to 1885, when he in company with Mr. Charles M. Otis established himself in the insurance business, which firm exists to day as it was then organized. Mr. Goodale is largely engaged in the loaning of money, hav- ing been in the business many years with great success, and without the loss of one dollar to his customers.

Wolf, Charles M., has been engaged in his present business since 1885, the business being established at Black River, N. Y., but was removed to Watertown in 1891. In 1887 the company was incorporated under the laws of New York as The Ryther Manufacturing Co., the officers of the company being Charles P. Ryther, president, J. B. Wise, vice president, and C. M. Wolf, superintendent. Mr. Wolf is a native of Black River, born in November, 1848. Ile was for many years associated with Poor, Dexter & Co., chair manufacturers at Black River, which firm was succeeded by the 11. C. Dexter Chair Co. in 1885. It was at this date that Mr. Wolf engaged in the malleable iron business. June 17, 1875, he married Katie Hart of Black River. Mr. Wolf is a son of William and Mary (Parkinson) Wolf, his father coming to this country from Ireland in 1832.

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Grant, Capt. Philander B., was born in Lewis county, N. Y., March 9, 1827. lle removed with his parents to Pillar Point, from thence to abont four miles from Clayton village, where he remained on a farm until abont eighteen years of age. Here he received his education at the district school. He then commenced sailing on the lakes until 1850. On the first day of April he left Sackets Harbor for Cali- fornia by way of New York. On the 11th day of April he sailed from New York on the James K. Polk to go around Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco on the 18th day of September, same year; from thence he went to the mines; worked in mines for a year and a half : then he went into the general grocery and miner supplies, con- ducting that business with a partner. Came cast in the spring of 1853 and June 9. 1853, married Maranda S. Stone of Sackets Harbor and then returned to California iu September following. There continued business until 1856, then came east with his wife. Remained in Sackets Harbor for two years, then went to California again by way of the Panama route Remained there ove year and then closed ont busi- ness and returned east again, and in 1862 enlisted in the 10th N. V. H. A. Vols. as a second lieutenant, and in September was ordered to Washington and from there went into the forts around Washington, an 1 in 1863 was promoted first lieutenant and the following year as captain. May, 1864, was ordered to reinforce Grant at Cold Harbor and served in defeuse of Richmond and Petersburg, and in 1864 was ordered to Washington and then down to the Shenandoah Valley. February. 1865, was discharged on account of disabilities and returned to Sackets Harbor. In 1865 removed to Watertown and engaged in the grocery business on Public Square and continued in that business until about 1876 when he sold out and in 1878 engaged in the same business with a partner named S. W. Reynolds. In 1884 W. HI. Mould took the place of S. W. Reynolds and the firm name was P. II. Graut & Co., and in 1886 J. W. C. Sparks bought Captain Grant out and in 1890 Captain Grant bought Sparks's interest and then the firm uame was Grant & Mould, which copartnership still exists. Mrs. Grant died May 19, 1887, and in 1890 he married Libbie L. Abbey. His family consists of Ida May Mould, Jennie E. Witt and Frederick HI. Graut.

Brown, Wallace N., M. D., physician and surgeon, was born at Housatonic, Mass., February 10, 1866. lle removed with his parents to Watertown in 1866 and in 1883 was graduated from the Watertown lligh School. He then spent two years at Cornell University and in 1857 began the stady of medicine in the office of Dr. 1. E. Booth, receiving the degree of M. D. at the University of Vermont in 1890, and the degree of M. D. from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York city in 1892. Hle located at Marquette, Mich., where he was engaged in practice for one year and theu returned to Watertown and has since been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. lle is a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, the I.O.O.F. and K. of P'.

Baldwin, Fred A., was born in the town of Orleans, Jefferson county, and at the age of about fifteen years removed with his parents to Watertown, where he has since resided. He entered the schools of Watertown and graduated from the Water- town High School in the classical course, class of 78. After graduation he engaged for a time in teaching and gamed an excellent reputation in the work, filling with great credit the position of principal of schools at Evans Mills, Cape Vincent and

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Mannsville. He was for some time principal of a large union free school in West Troy, N. Y., and later held the position of teacher of Latin and instructor of the Teachers' Training Class in the Watertown High School. He is the possessor of a teacher's State certificate, granted by the state superintendent of public instruction, which licenses him to teach in any of the common schools of the State during life. Mr. Baldwin read law with O'Brien, Emerson & Ward (the senior member of which firm is now one of the judges of the Court of Appeals), and after a due course of study was admitted to the bar. In the fall of 1894 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace of the city of Watertown by a majority of 1,042. He is now actively en- gaged in the practice of his profession at Watertown. In 1892 he married Kate C. Hall of Mannsville, N. Y.

Reese, Lucins E., was born near Evans Mills, October 16, 1848, son of Martin (born in Herkimer county in 1813) and Amy S. (Paul) Reese (daughter of John Paul and born in Herkimer county June 19, 1816). Lucins E. had brothers and sisters as follows. Wellington W., married Lydia Hamlin of Theresa, N. Y., and now resides in Detroit, Mich. ; Ezra G., died at the age of twenty-one; Elizabeth C., died in in- fancy; Evelin P., married Jane A. Timerman and is a farmer in Pamelia, N. Y. ; William H , married Maria Timerman and is a farmer and dealer in Evans Mills, N. Y. ; James E., was shot and died in the army in 1863: Emogene, married Henry Cable of Watertown, N. V. ; Lucius E. ; Martha E., married Taylor Carpenter (butcher), of Watertown, N. Y. ; Martin H., married Martha Lingenfelter, Watertown, N. Y. ; Mil- ton C., died aged three years; John A. (butcher), married Emma McCrea, Watertown, N. Y. ; Elva E., married Webster Murphy (farmer), Philadelphia, N. Y. Lucius E. Reese was a farmer boy up to the age of twenty-two, when he went to the city of Watertown to work for Sheldon Webb, a butcher; later for I). S. Robbins who kept a meat market. He married Jane MI. Wheeler on July 1, 1981; she was born in Harrisburg, N. Y., March 2, 1850, a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Dunlap) Wheeler, able farmers of that town. He then bought out a meat market on the cor- ner where the Flower block now stands, and has been engaged in the meat and vegetable business ever since in Watertown. At the present time he is keeping the finest market in northern New York, located in the American block, Watertown, having in his employ six men and keeping six delivery horses. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have no children.

Reeves. Martin, was born in the town of Honnsfield on his father's farm, in 1841. His father removed to Dexter when he was four years old, and his education was obtained in the public schools of that village. He left home when he was twenty- two years of age and bought a farm two miles from Dexter on the Pillar Point road in 1964. It was at this time Mr. Reeves married Mary O'Harra of Dexter, and they have two children. Sherly B., who resides at home on the farm and Lettie, who is the present postmistress of Brownville. In September, 1864, Mr. Reeves enlisted in Co. B. 1-6th N. Y. Vols., and served to the close of the war and was mustered out June 11, 1865. In politics he is a Democrat and has held the office of county and town delegate and at present is assistant postmaster. Mr. Reeves carries on his farm one mile west of Brownville. He is a member of Brownville Lodge No. 53. F. & A. M., and Court Brownville No. 561, I. O. Foresters; is a comrade of J. Broad-

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bent Post No. 188, G. A. R., of Dexter, has been a commander two terms and at present is the senior vice commander.

Houghton, William A., was born in the town of Antwerp, November 12, 1862, on his father's farm, known as the Elijah Houghton homestead, seven miles west of Antwerp village. He was educated in the common schools of the vicinity, and at Ives Seminary and Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie. After finishing his education he entered the employ of Ira C. Hinsdale, general merchant of Ant - werp, as bookkeeper. lle left Antwerp in 1991 and came to Dexter, purchasing the opera house block and engaged in general merchandise business in which he con- tinued six years, when he disposed of the business to Messrs. Luther Bros. & Co. During the time Mr. Houghton was in business in Dexter, he was also the owner of a livery business which he ran in connection with his other line of trade. Hle still continues the livery business and the buying and selling of produce and dealing in carriages and farm implements. In 1888 Mr. Houghton married Alice M. Wieks, daughter of Samuel Wicks, and they have three children: Charles W., I. Fernie and Grace. Mr. Houghton's paternal grandfather, Elijah Houghton, served through the war of 1812 and was at the battle of Saekets Harbor. Mr. Houghton has five brothers: Dr. E. M. Houghton of Detroit, who holds the position of superintendent of the extensive laboratory of Parke, Davis & Co., manufacturers of medical and pharmaceutical preparations; James, who resides on the old homestead at Antwerp ; Edwin S., a mining expert of Fountain, Col .; Dr. C. A. Honghton, a prominent dentist of Philadelphia, N. Y., and Roy, a student at the Philadelphia (N. Y.) Academy.

Boomer, George M., was born in Belleville, January 17, 1847, a son of Mathew and Jeanette (Dutcher) Boomer. Mathew Boomer was a native of Ellsburg. a son of Mathew Boomer who came to Ellisburg in a very early day and here lived and died. Mathew, jr., was a farmer and at one time owned a farm of 160 acres. In politics he was a Republican and was deputy sheriff and constable. He served three years in the late war, in the 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. George M. Boomer was educated in the Union Academy and began his business life as a clerk in Oswego, and has been engaged in various kinds of business. In 1872 he began booming the oil and gas wells, beginning in Canada, and has traveled in Germany and Australia in this business. He came to his native town Ellisburg, in 1893 and bought a farm of 83 acres of land and followed general farming. September 27, 1875, he married Georg- iana Morrison of Petrolia, Ontario, and they had seven children: Florence F., wife of Byron A. Randall of Dexter; Blanche C., George H., Mabel J., Donald J., Sidney M. and Ruth M. Mr. Boomer is a Republican and attends and supports the M. E. church. lle served in the late war, enlisting in Co. M. 20th N. Y. Cavalry, and served until the close of the war.

Matteson, William E., was born in Ellisburg, November 26, 1855, a son of William and Malvina (Tousley) Matteson, natives of Ellisburg. William was a son of Sam- nel Matteson, one of the early settlers of the town, coming from Rhode Island to Chenango county and then to Ellisburg. William was a stock dealer and farmer. owning a good farm at the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1893. Will-

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iam E. Matteson was educated in the Union Academy at Belleville and followed teaching for some years; then engaged in farming and stock raising, being one of the leading farmers of the town. In politics he is a Republican and one of the assessors of the town, being appointed by the town board in 1896 to fill a vacancy. In 1897 he was elected by a large majority, which office he now holds. In 1876 Mr. Matteson marrie 1 Ella E Fales, and they have two children: Joel S. and Lucy May, both living at the present time.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 120

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