Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 124

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 124

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

237

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

in the United States, and from which he was one of the five in the second class to graduate in 1851. The Rev. J. B. Foote, D. D., also of Martinsburgh, and his room mate for two years, being the first and only graduate in 1850. It was at the expiration of the first year's course of study at this institution when the way seemed so hedged up as to forbid a forward step, that such a combination of circumstances intervened in the unlooked for provision for the payment of a debt, and the calls to the pastorate of two small churches successively within a few miles of the institute as to reveal the hand of God pointing to his spiritual vineyard as the seene of luis future toils, especially as those two years of extra service were crowned with the hopeful conversion of about fifty souls. At the time of his graduation he was lying dangerously ill with typhoid fever which completely prostrated him, not- withstanding, by the blessing of God on means used in answer to prayer, he was raised up, his case passed the examining board, and a diploma was awarded him. This occurred in the autumn of 1851, with body weakened, funds exhausted, doctor's bill unpaid, far from home yet hoping to enter conference in the spring free from debt. In this dilemma the Lord again revealed his fatherly care in sending a call for six months preaching to a small church whose pastor's health had but just failed ; with gratitude to God for returning health the call was accepted. During this in- terim he invited to his assistance an accomplished and devoted lady friend who had already consented to unite her life's labors and destiny with his, and Miss Jane M. Danforth, daughter of Deacon Samuel Danforth of Bristol, N. 11., became his wife. Under these auspices his studies and labors in New England closed with all debts paid and a farewell given to the " Old Granite State." In pursuance of the plan of his life service and in harmony with what seemed the ordering of a benign and over- ruling Providence, on the 26th of June, 1852, his name was entered upon the roll of probationers as a traveling preacher in the " Old Black River" (now Northern New York) Conference, and stationed at Henderson. Here were spent two eventful years, with the blessing of God on his labors, while the sorrow of a great bereave- ment in the death of his faithful and beloved wife and first born son fell like a pall on his heart and home; their remains were interred in the same grave in the old cemetery in Lowville beside his friends. In 1851 he labored at Carthage, 1855 -56 at Rodman, during which term (1856) he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Putnam Benton of Watertown, N. Y., daughter of the lamented sheriff, Wells Benton, who died in office at Watertown, June 29. 1857. In 1857-58 Mr. Pitcher was at Black River; 1859 60 Clayton; 1861 at Rome, Embargo street; in 1862 St. Johnsville. At this period the nation was in the terrific throes of the great Civil war; all loyal hearts were moved with patriotic zeal to crush the rebellion and save the union; multitudes rushed to arms; husbands, fathers, brothers and sons all mingled in the uprising host; homes, schools, churches, societies, friends and loved ones, all left behind. How opportune at this crisis was the already organized existence of the Young Men's Christian Association; representing as it did the various churches of the land from whose ontgrowth sprang the United States Christian Commission as a general agency through which the great denominations conld co-operate under the auspices of the government, between the army at the front and their friends and churches at home. In this emergency an unexpected message came to Mr. Pitcher at St. Johnsville to come to Washington. It was from that broad-minded man of God, Mitchel HI. Miller, president of the Y. M. C. A. of the city, calling himself and

238

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

wife to officiate as missionaries of the association in that many sided and most inter- esting field of army work in and around the National Capital. As this call seemed so manifestly from God and harmonized so completely with their cherished desires to minister to our brave defenders, that the message was gladly accepted (after com- monicating with the proper conference authorities and obtaining the consent of his official board) and the work entered upon November 10, 1862, and continued un- til the close of the war in 1-65, with the cessation of only one month on account of inflammatory rheumatism. Finally, after an absence of about five and one-half years, three of war time and two and one half following, in missionary and Bible work in Washington, D. C., on the 9th of April, 1868, he bade adien to the capital and its people and with his wife and infant son, John Benton, now a graduate of the class of 1895, Syracuse University, and just finishing his three years' course of study in Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N. J., returned to his native State to re- sume regular itinerant labor in the old Black River Conference. So after serving the church in this capacity twelve additional years, viz., three years at Champion ; three at Port Leyden: three at Cape Vincent; and three at Mannsville, and witness- ing the discharge of a $500 parsonage debt, the building of two new parsonages with cost paid and provided for, and the ground purchased and foundation laid for one new church and above all the experience of a comforting hope that many souls, as sheaves from these several later harvest fields shall be finally gathered; together with a much larger number from other and more distant fields, with all the blood- washed of the church with whom they have toiled and taken sweet counsel into the common garner of the great husbandman above. Being then partially disabled he was constrained by his own convictions to ask at the conference of 1880 a supernnm- erary relation, in which he was continued until 1958, when he was made superannu- ated and has remained in that relation to the present (1898), residing at the old home in Adams, N. Y.

Taylor, D. E., was born in Ellisburgh, October 26, 1846, a son of Cyrns Taylor, who was born in Taylor Settlement. town of Ellisburgh, which was named after his father, Deacon Hiram Taylor, one of the pioneers who came from Galway, N. J. Deacon Taylor was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in Belleville, and also established a tannery there. He was noted for his strict integrity and was one whose judgment was songht and respected by all who knew him. Cyrus Taylor married Amanda, daughter of Nathaniel Attridge. He followed his father's busi- ness of tanning for a number of years and later in life gave his attention to farming. Ile was a supporter of both school and church interests and was a man of conserva- tive character, whose word once given was never questioned. He died in 1875 in his filst year. D. E. Taylor was educated in the Union Academy and in 1866 came to Adams, where he entered the employ of F. Waite, Son & Allen. In 1869 he re- moved to Minnesota and engaged in business there for two and a half years, when he returned to Adams and engaged in business with his former employers. In 1874 he established his present business and at the present time is carrying the leading stock of dry goods in Adams, In 1869 he married Medora, daughter of Daniel and Elvira Boomer, and they have one son, Herbert. Mr. Taylor is one of the con- servative men of his town, taking an active interest in educational and religious institutions. He is master of the Rising Sun Lodge No. 234, and high priest of the chapter.

239

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Bullock, Lucy, is a daughter of Joseph Bullock, who came to Jefferson county in 1808 from Brattleboro, Vt., making the trip on horseback and settled at Ellisburgh. Hle learned the carpenter's trade when a young man and erected the first mill for extracting oil from flaxseed. He served in the war of 1812, and married Nannie, daughter of Mr. Ferguson and half-sister of Gen. Gad Ackley. Joseph Bullock was one of the representative men of his town and one of the founders of the Presby- terian church. He was a man of sterling integrity, whose word was never ques- tioned ; he died in 1861 in his 25th year.

Ripley, A. D., was born in the town of Adams, November 25, 1841, where his father, Rufus Ripley, and grandfather, Abram Ripley, took a section of land in 1798. Rufus Ripley married Vermelia Wells. He was a farmer and produce dealer and in association with his son established the boot and shoe business in in 1867; he died in 1882. A. D. Ripley has always been engaged in the boot and shoe trade, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods, and in 1869 married Clara, daughter of William Gray, and they have four children. Rufus W., Mary E., Nellie G. and Martha E. Mr. Ripley has served his town as trustee and trustee of Adams Collegiate Institute and has ever advaneed the best interests of his town and town's people.

Brainard, Howard, was born in Rutland, September 19, 1841. His father, Ste- phen Brainard, came to Jefferson county with his parents, Samuel and wife, from the State of Connectient in 1805, settling in the woods. Stephen married Marinda. daughter of Isaac Cleveland, and through life was identified as a farmer; he died in 1866. lloward Brainard was educated in the common schools and in 1865 married Fannie M., daughter of Silas Chapman, and they have one daughter, Ilattie M. Mr. Brainard is one of the practical and sueeessful farmers of his town, taking an active interest in school and church matters and has ever been recognized as a man of sterling integrity, whose life has proven his word as good as his bond.

Dean, William R., was born in the town of Rodman, December 28, 1838, a son of Samuel Dean, a native of Manchester, England, and came to the United States in 1808 with his parents, settling in the middle of the forests. Samuel Dean was a man who took an active interest in public events and served his town in various ways. W. R. Dean was educated in Rodman, and carried on farming for twenty-five years. In 1891 he came to Adams Center and engaged in the hardware, grocery and agri- eultural implement business. In 1859 he married Cornelia Sischo, and they have two children: Charles J. and Nora. Mr. Dean has served as assessor for fifteen years and a member of the board of education.

Glass, A. G., was born in the town of Watertown, March S, 1810, a son of Lorenzo Glass, also born in the same town, where his parents, James and wife, settled in 1807. Lorenzo Glass married Sophia, daughter of Timothy Greenly, and died in 1850. A. G. Glass was educated in the common schools, following farming for some years and in 1862 enlisted in Co. B, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, taking part in the battle of Cold Harbor and many others and served until the elose of the war with rank of sergeant. Returning from the war he resumed farming and in 18-1 came to Adams Center and established his present business. In 1861 he married Alzina Crosby, and

240

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

they have two children, Henry C. and Renna A. Mr. Glass takes an active interest in all public affairs, has served as road commissioner for two years and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

Legg, V. 11., was born in De Peyster, St. Lawrence county, November 26, 1848. His father, Jesse M. Legg, was also a native of the same county, where his grand- father was one of the pioneer settlers. Jesse M. Legg married Phoebe, daughter of David Woods; he was a mason, builder and contractor, and died in his fifty-third year. V. 11. Legg, at the age of fifteen enlisted in Co. G. 142d N. Y. Vol. Infantry, and was wounded at Fort Fisher in the foot. lle received an honorable discharge at the close of the war and returning home entered school and in 1868 entered the employ of R. M. Brigham & Co. of Rome. remaining in their employ nearly twenty- two years. In 1889 he came to Adams and purchased a coal yard, handling cement, brick and lime. In 188] he married Fannie F .. daughter of Thomas Stitt, and they have two daughters, Jessie E. and Bianca B. Mr. Legg is one of the conservative business men of his town, has served as trustee of his village and takes an active interest in all educational and religious institutions, having ever advanced the best interests of his town and towns people.

Johnson. P. H., was born in the town of Henderson, April 23, 1839, a son of Am- brose Johnson, who was also a native of that town, where his parents, Joel and wife, settled about 1800. Ambrose married Eveline, daughter of Cyrus Hall, and also followed farming. He was a self-made, self-educated man, of sterling integrity and died in 18-0 in his sixty-fifth year. P. H Johnson was educated at Belleville Acad- emy and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, in March, 1865. He was appointed to the United States navy at Brooklyn, N. Y, and from there was ordered to the ship Hunchback at Newberne, N. C., then was ordered to the ship Pampero at Pensacola, Fla., and in 1867 returned to Belle- ville. In 1869 he went to Carthage and in 1871 came to Adams, where he has prae- ticed up to the present time.

Steele, Reuben F., was born in the town of Hounsfield, September 14, 1844, a son of Reuben Steele, who came from Vermont with his parents and settled in the town of Clayton, in an early day. Reuben Steele was a contractor and builder, and was respected by all who knew him; he married Juliette Boyden and died in 1878. Reuben F Steele was educated in Brownville and Syracuse; he learned telegraphy in Watertown, and in 1866 came to Adams, where he engaged in the jewelry busi - ness, continuing in such for sixteen years, during which time he went to Alexandria Bay and conducted the Westminster Park Hotel for four years. In 1882 he was one of the organizers of the A. B. Cleveland Seed Co., and in January, 1886, purchased the Adams Electric Light Co., which under his management is in successful opera- tion. In 1876 he married Jennie, daughter of Dr. John J. Rockwell, and they have two sons, Mark B. and Ray R.

llunt, Hon. Isaac L., was born in Salisbury, Herkimer county, N. Y., December 1. 1852. His father, Isaac 1. Ilunt, was a native of Hillsdale, Columbia county, and the family trace their descent from William Hunt, the founder of the city of Concord

2.1 1

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

and who landed in Boston in 1637. Isaac L. Hunt married Judith Lamberson. Mr. lunt was a very highly educated man and filled the chair of theology and meta- physics at Oneida Conference Seminary at Cazenovia, and afterwards was trans- ferred to the Black River Conference, known at the present time as the Northern New York. Ile served as a minister for more than sixty years, spending his later years in Adams, where he died in 1893 in his 85th year. Hon. Isaac L. Hunt was educated in St. Lawrence Academy, Potsdam, Hungerford Collegiate and Cazenovia, graduating from Union College in 1872. Hle then entered a law office and passed an examination before the Supreme Court, being admitted to the bar in 1872; return- ing to Watertown he acted as attorney and assistant eashier for the Merchants' Bank, and in 1876 came to Adams. In 18; he married Alice, daughter of Hon. Will- iam A. Gilbert, who was the founder of the Bank of Adams and who served three terms in the Legislature and one term in Congress. Mr. Hunt is one of the repre- sentative men of Jefferson county and in 1881 was elected to the Legislature and re- elected in 1882 and 1883.

Stickney, Thomas, native of Groton, New Hampshire, came to Jefferson county when a young man, married Mary, daughter of Gideon Hardy, was identified as a farmer of sterling worth and integrity. He died in 1887. His daughter Harriet married Charles A. Benjamin, one of the leading men of the town of Adams, Jeffer- son county, serving as supervisor and member of assembly. He was a man respected and esteemed by all who knew him, and was an earnest Christian worker in the Baptist church and Sunday school. He died in 1879 at the age of fifty-mme. Two sons and two daughters are still hving.

Hart, William D., was born in Adams, June 5, 1819. His father, William Hart, came from Oneida county to the town of Adams in 1810; he married Delia Willis, and was one of the first merchants of Adams, and one of the founders and incorpor- ators of the Jefferson County Bank in 1821. Ile was born near Clinton, Oneida county. January 6, 1586, and died in Adams November 7, 1833. Ilis sons, William Dwight and George Hart were among the leading farmers; George died in 1893. William D. is one of the practical and conservative men of his town, serving as assessor for three years and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

Ilunt, Timothy, was born in the town of Adams, February 14, 1820. Ilis father, Timothy Hunt, sr., came with his stepfather, Major Isaac Baker, who settled in this State about 1800, taking up land from the Law Purchase. He was one of the prom- inent men of his town, filling the position of deputy sheriff; he died in 1845. Tim- othy Hunt, sr., married Lucina Oatman, and through life wasidentified as a farmer. He was interested in both school and church matters and in the progress of the town ; he died in 1851. Timothy Hunt, jr., married, in 1844. Susan, daughter of Garrett Reed, and they have two sons and one daughter, George, Frank and Alice. Mr. Hunt is one of the practical and successful farmers of his town, taking an active in- terest in school and church matters, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

Sinclair, John, was born in Belleville, Ontario, March 11, 1844. His father, John

242

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Sinclair, was a native of Invary. Scotland, and came to Ontario in 1825, and through life was engaged in the lumber business. He married Jane, daughter of Hugh Mc- Mahon; he died in 1887. John Sinclair was educated in Belleville. In 1863 he moved to Oswego and in 1876 to Titusville, where he engaged in transporting oil to the seaboard; in 1880 he went to Chicago and was a member of the Chicago Board of Trade for five years. In 1855 he came to Jefferson county. In 1879 he married Martha A., daughter of W. W. and Mary (Keep) Kenyon, and they have one son, John Kent Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair is one of the conservative men of his town, trustee of the Hungerford Collegiate Institute, trustee of the Baptist church and is recog- nized as a man of sterling integrity whose life has proven his word as good as his bond.

Snell, John A. D., was born in Herkimer county at Snell's Bush, October 5, 1835. Ilis father. David F. Snell, came to Jefferson county in 1837; he married Mary Eyga- broad and they settled in the town of Orleans, lived there three years, then moved to Watertown and lived there until his death. He was one of the leading farmers of Jefferson county, whose judgment was sought and respected by all who knew him ; he died in 1467, in his 55th year. John A. D. Snell married Mary D., daughter of William Fuller and Martha (Keep) Fuller and they have two children living, Will- iam D. and Mrs. Martha Heath, and two dead, Nettie D., age 15 and Ella Fuller, aged about 7 months. Mr. Snell is one of the practical and successful farmers and breeders of blooded stock, serving as president of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society for two years and was director six years, president of the Riverside Driving Park two years, is one of the directors of the Farmers' National Bank of Adams, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

IIeth, G. W., was born on the homestead January 21, 1845. His father, Peter Heth, came from Hoosick with his parents, Timothy and Ora Heth, in 1820, settling first in the town of Lee, where Timothy was a manufacturer of rakes, fanning mills and spinning wheels. Peter Heth married Ruth Richardson and was one of the leading farmers of Jefferson county ; he died in 1948 and his widow in 1892. G. W. Ileth was educated in the common schools; starting in life without any means, he has, by his own energy and perseverance, been one of the largest dealers in live stoek in Jefferson county, adding 554 acres to his father's estate, and is at the pres- ent time one of the largest farmers in that county, making a specialty of stock and grain raising.

Potter, Harrison C., was born in Adams, N. Y., December 20, 1864, a son of P. C. and Luthera (Gould) Potter. P. C. Potter was born in Paris. Oneida county, in 1×24, and his wife was born in Lorraine, a daughter of Amos Gould, a native of Massachusetts, who came early to Jefferson county. Mr. and Mrs. Potter had two children, Harrison C. and Celia, wife of F. W. Dixon of Dexter, N. Y. Harrison C. was educated at Adams Collegiate Institute and Ives Seminary, and was graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1994; he came to Mannsville, N. Y., the same year, where he has had a very successful practice. Dr. Potter was married June 12, 1495, to Rhoda F., daughter of Hon. H. J. Lane of Sackets Harbor. Dr. Potter is a member of Mannsville Lodge No. 175, 1.O.O.F., and of the Jefferson County

2.13

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Medical Association. Dr. Potter has traveled in twenty-six different States and seen considerable for a young man. He is a Republican and has been health officer for two years, lle is now chairman of the Republican town committee and was president of the MeKinley and Hobart Club and has for two years been chief of the fire department, being the organizer of it.

Shepard, Henry Wardwell (deceased), was born in Ellisburgh on the old home- stead, a son of Thomas Brown Shepard, grandson of Thomas Shepard and great- grandson of John Shepard, who was for seven years in the Revolutionary war and spent his life in Bennington, Vt. Thomas Shepard came to Troy, N. Y., where he owned a block on River street and was a merchant there for several years, after which he came to Oneida county and settled on 300 aeres of land, that had upon it an old fashioned caravansary and there for several years he kept a hotel. In 1825 he and a son-in-law, Philip Wheeler, were induced to come to Mannsville, Jefferson county, by Newton Mann, who had preceded Mr. Shepard to that village and on his way back to Oriskany remained over night at Shepard's inn, and informed him of a tract of land which belonged to the Colonel Wardwell purchase and could be bought at a bargain. Mr. Shepard and son-in-law then came to Mannsville and bought 1,000 acres of land which they divided ; Mr. Shepard here spent the remainder of his days. In youth he learned the axe maker's trade and it was said that no man in the State could temper tools better than he. In politics he was a Democrat and his son, Thomas Brown Shepard, became a prominent Abolitionist and afterwards a Repub- lican ; he was offered the supervisorship of the town, but refused, preferring to live the life of an independent farmer. lle spent his days on the old homestead, which he owned after his father's death. His son, Henry Wardwell Shepard, inherited the homestead which is now owned by the family. Henry W. was for some years a merchant in Mannsville, buying out James I. Steele, and after a few years became acquainted with Robert Seaman of New York city, a member of the celebrated firm of Park & Seaman, and he sold out his business; he was also for a short time engaged in business with G. A. Huggins, who invented a milk can bottom, which Mr. Shep- ard purchased and had patented, the development of that patent being left to what is now known as the celebrated Iron Clad Co. of New York city. Mr. Shepard passed through many vieissitudes of fortune, but finally established the company on its present basis. Mr. Shepard was in the Ashtabula disaster in the same car with P. P. Bliss; he lost a foot and the shock is supposed to be the cause of his health failing, and he died in June, 1892. Not long before his death he sold his interest in the Iron Clad Co. to his partner, Robert Seaman who is now manager of the firm. In 1866 Mr. Shepard married Charlotte L. Green, daughter of Henry Green, and granddaughter of Col. Henry Green, a native of Vermont, and one of the carly set- lers of Ellisburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard had two children: Thomas G .. born October 15, 1868, and was for many years connected with the Iron Clad Co., but at present resides on the homestead; and Jennette G., born October 6. 1874, and mar- ried G. Ralph HJusted, an artist of Mannsville, N. Y.

Denison. W. A., was born in Ellisburgh, March 28, 1853, a son of Edward and Hannah (Persons) Denison. Edward Denison was born in Massachusetts in 1826, and when thirteen years of age came to Ellisburgh, where he lived with an unele,

244

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

William T. Scarles, a merchant of that place. Mr. Denison had a limited education and began life a poor boy, beginning as a peddler; at the age of twenty-one he went into partnership with Mr. Searles and remained until his death in 1863, being very successful in his business and doing a large business in buying and selling butter and cheese. W. A. Denison was educated in the Union Academy of Belleville, and began working on a farm by the month for an uncle, Austin Persons. After work- ing five years he married Ada 1., daughter of A. B. Wodell, and engaged in working Mr. Wodell's farm. In 1884 he came to Ellisburgh and engaged as a wholesale seed grower of peas and beans, handling in 1895 25,000 bushels. He is doing an exten- sive business with the best houses of this country and is also exporting some. In politics he is a Republican, but not au aspirant to office ; he is now serving as presi- (lent of the village.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 124

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