Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 92

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 92

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In 1845 Azariah Walton , bought of Henry Yates of the firm of Yates & McIntyre of New York city, the north half of Wells Island and all the small islands in the river St. Lawrence in American wa- ters, from Round Island in Clayton to the village of Morristown in St. Lawrence county. After his death the new firm of Cornwall & Walton bought them from his estate and for many years cut steamboat wood from them, often getting as high as 16,000 cords in a year. After the wood was mostly cut off the larger islands were sold for farms, and when wood began to give way to coal they determined to sell all these lands at a nominal price to induce people to build summer homes and thus make the St. Lawrence River a famous watering place. They gave the site for the Thousand Island House, negotiated the purchase of other hotel and park property, and can be truly said to have made the Thousand Islands what they are.

Mr. Cornwall has always been a prominent figure in the politics of this section. He was supervisor from 1852 to 1856 and again from 1861 to 1865. A War Democrat, he was made a member of the Jeffer- son County War Committee, although it was largely Republican. He

BIOGRAPHICAL.

served the committee faithfully in recruiting and filling the quotas of his own town and the county. In ISot he received the nomination for member of assembly and although the Republican candidate of the year previons had been elected by a large majority, Mr Cornwall was successful. In the Legislature of 1868 he was a member of the sub- Committee of the Whole, the Committee on the Manufacture of Salt and the Committee on Ways and Means. In 1868 he was a candidate for Congress against Ilon. A. 11. Laffin; his party was largely in the minority but Mr. Laflin's majority was comparatively small, and it has often been said that had Mr. Cornwall's friends been given ten days more he would have been elected. Mr. Corwall commenced his busi- ness career with very limited means but with a determination to suc- ceed. By close application, thrift and great energy, he has succeeded in his desire to attain a reasonable competency. Many who know him speak of his peenliar business qualifications and ability to handle men. Ile has never been an ostentatious man, and when he came before the people for political preferment, it was generally recognized that merit, not money, had placed him in a candidate's position. The example of such a life is a benefit to any community. Mr. Cornwall is one of the three surviving charter members of Alexandria Lodge No. 297, F. & A. M. He is also a member of Theresa Chapter and Watertown Com- mandery. It is somewhat remarkable that all of his sons hold mem- bership with him in all these bodies, and in addition two are Shriners.

Mr. Cornwall married, in Jaunuary, 1843, Mary C. Calhoon, a daugh - ter of Captain Calhoon of Williamson, Wayne county, N. Y., who was a pensioner of the war of the Revolution and a captain of volunteers in the war of 1812. Four sons were born of their union: Andrew C., Charles W., John I. and Harvey A. Mrs. Cornwall died August 13, 1890, after a life of faithful devotion to her family.

J. MORTIMER CRAWE, M. D.

DR. J. MORTIMER CRAWE, who has been so prominently known in professional and social life in the county for a period of nearly forty years, is a native of Watertown, born May 23, 1831, and is the son of Dr. Ithemer B. Crawe, the latter an early physician of the county and one of the most noted botanists of his time. As is mentioned at length in the medical chapter of this work, Ithemer B. Crawe was born

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

in Enfield, Hartford county, Conn., June 11, 1792, and after suffering from injuries resulting from overwork on a farm, turned his attention to botanical studies, for which he had a special taste and was peculiarly adapted by nature. Indeed, throughout the long period of his active professional life Dr. Crawe employed every favorable opportunity to pursue his botanical researches in new and unexplored fields, and im- portant discoveries rewarded his zeal and perseverance. In his younger life this earnest student had many obstacles to contend with, the most serious of which was impaired health, but by careful habits and self- treatment he at length became physically strong, and in 1822 finished his medical studies at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York, and in the same year began professional life at Clinton, Madison county. Six months later he came to Watertown and after several years removed to Ogdensburgh.

After about three years there Dr. Crawe took charge of a lead mining enterprise in Maine, which gave promise of success, but resulted in dis- aster, upon which he located at Pontiac, Mich., where he lived about three years. Then he returned to Watertown, and was prominently connected with the medical profession throughout the remainder of his life. He was an excellent physician, a pathologist and physiologist of ability, therefore eminently successful in his practice. But it was as student of botany and mineralogy that Dr. Crawe acquired his highest standing among scientists, and in this field he attained distinguished prominence and was brought into acquaintance and association with many of the most learned men and scholars of the time. He discov- ered and described several new plants, one of which was named for him "Carex Crawei," or "Crawe's Sedge."

In 1847 he was asked by the noted Professor Gray, of Cambridge, Mass., to procure for him some rare plants which grew in the vicinity of Perch lake, and which were in perfect development about the first of June. Employing this opportunity on the third day of that month, Dr. Crawe visited his patients, and then set out upon his favorite quest with two companions. The lake was crossed in safety, though the boat was old and leaky. A large collection of plants was secured, the return trip was begun, but when about twenty rods from the shore the doctor saw that the boat must sink. He told Enoch Eddy, who could not swim, to stick to the boat, then he with William C. Gould, sprang into the water, assisted Eddy in gaining a good hold on the frail craft, and struck out for shore. Dr. Crawe was a strong, powerful swimmer, yet

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

young Gould reached the land first; and turning, saw the doctor's feet above water, from which it is thought he must have been seized with cramps. The body soon disappeared and was recovered the next day by Masonic friends who had hastened to the scene as soon as the unfor- tunate news was learned. Thus was ent off one of the most useful lives in the medical profession in northern New York, and thus was re- moved an enthusiastic toiler in bontanical and mineralogical pursuits. A life almost had been devoted to those loved pursuits and was lost at its very height.

Dr. Crawe, during his many years of botanical and mineralogieal re- search, accumulated a rare collection of specimens of great value. The weight of his cabinet of minerals was eight tons. He became a mem- ber of the County Medical Society in 1822; was its secretary in 1825; censor in 1826, '28-30, '34 and '41; president in 1827 and again in 18.12, and delegate to the State Society in 1831 and 1844. In 1846, on the recommendation of the State Society, the Regents of the University conferred on Dr. Crawe the honorary degree of " Doctor of Medicine," thus in a measure recognizing his worth to the profession at large.

Dr. J. Mortimer Crawe, of Watertown, who, by reason of his untiring and unselfish devotion to his profession and its societies, is looked upon by his associates as one of the senior members of that profession in the county, was the son of Ithemer B. Crawe by his marriage with Char- lotte F. Mortimer. His early elementary education was acquired in the public and select schools, and he also attended the then famous Jefferson County Institute. He then read medicine under the instruc- tion of Dr. H. G. P. Spencer, and later finished his medical course at Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was grad-

uated in 1859. Ilis practice began at Hamilton, Madison county, but failing health suggested a change in location, whereupon he re- moved to Champion. Here his stay was short, for in July, 1861, he chanced to visit Madison county where he found an unusual number of diphtheria cases among his old acquaintances; he yielded to their per- suasions and returned again to live in that vicinity.

During the summer and early fall of 1862 the 157th N. Y. Vol. Inf. was recruited in Madison and Cortland counties, and Dr. Crawe was commissioned assistant regimental surgeon. He served in the reserve hospital at Fairfax Court-house until March, 1863, when, on account of ill health, he was ordered to Washington, and then sent home on sick leave. Two months later he rejoined the regiment at Acquia Creek,

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just previous to the Chancellorsville battle. In that fearful engage- ment he was taken prisoner while acting as surgeon of the 182d Illinois, and remained three weeks in the enemy's hands before an exchange was made. He returned to his command much broken in health, hence was ordered home on another leave of absence, but soon learning that the troops were about to move, went back to the regiment and acted as operating surgeon during the battle of Gettysburg, thereafter remain- ing in the Eleventh Corps hospital about one month, caring for the sick and wounded and also acting as hospital recording officer. He then reported to General Hallock at Washington, but in the mean time the 15th had moved to Morris Island, opposite Charleston, S. C., which city they were besieging, and our determined young surgeon at once reported for active duty notwithstanding his own physical condition. He served in this department until February, 1864, when he was pro- moted to the rank of surgeon, and assigned to the 128th N. Y. Reg- iment in Sherman's army at Savannah. From this time Dr. Crawe served as medical inspector and brigade surgeon until August, 1865, when he returned to Albany and was mustered out of service.

After his return from the service Dr. Crawe took up his residence at Watertown and began practice, not in a new field but in his native vil- lage. During all the years of his absence he was not forgotten by the friends of his youth, nor had. the medical profession or the people at large lost all memory of the son of Ithemer B. Crawe, the botanist, scientist and physician; and on returning to his native town Dr. Crawe was at once among friends and quickly established a successful and lucrative practice. He took an active interest in the affairs and well being of the County Medical Society; was one of its reorganizers in 1868, and from that time to the present has been one of its most influ- ential members and sustainers. It is doubtful if the society has an office he has not held several times, but in all his zeal and interest in its affairs he has never accepted any promotion or high position other than for the good of the organization and the advancement of the pro- fession in the county and at large. Indeed, Jefferson county never had a practitioner who had greater regard for legitimate methods than Dr. Crawe, nor has there been one who more earnestly sought to weed out from the ranks of the profession all charlatans and quacks. It is only by the endeavors of such men that any profession or calling can be kept pure and clean.

In 1884 he, with others, became disgusted with the methods and

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BIOGRAPIIICAL.

action of the State Medical Society in relation to the code of ethics, whereupon they withdrew their membership in the old organization. In the same year the New York State Medical Association was formed, Dr. Crawe being one of the chief factors in the organization and its first vice president. The offices he has filled in the several medical bodies of which he has been a member need no mention in this place, and it is sufficient to say that in each position he has been found faith- ful, as he has to every charge in professional, political and social life. He was appointed pension examiner in 1869, held the office four years, and then resigned. In 1881 he was asked to and did accept a place on the Jefferson County Board of Pension Examiners, and was its president four years. This is the extent of his political holdings, though in that boundless and sometimes uncertain field Dr. Crawe takes the same commendable interest as in professional and fraternal circles. lle is a firm Republican, but has never sought political preferment.

On October 3, 1860, J. Mortimer Crawe was married to Mary E., daughter of Jacob Hlecox, of Earlville, N. Y. Of this marriage four children were born: J. Mortimer Crawe, jr., a practicing physician of Watertown; Harriet S. C., wife of Fred II. Moore of Syracuse; Frank Frederick, who died in infancy; and Edwin Paddock Crawe, now living in Syracuse.

CHARLES CROSSMON.

CHARLES CROSSMON, who for a period of almost forty-five years was proprietor of the famous Crossmon House at Alexandria Bay, and who by his enterprise and business sagacity was one of the chief factors in opening the beautiful Thousand Island region to the pleasure-seeking world, was a native of this county, born in Watertown, October 2, 1818, and was descended from one of the old families of the Black River country. Charles Crossmon had not the advantages of a liberal early education, but he learned from observation and contact with his fellow men, and after he had established the Crossmon as the most popular house on the St. Lawrence, he gave more of his time to the personal entertainment of guests and was known as a genial host and an inter- esting companion.

When a youth Mr. Crossmon learned the trade of stair building and was a skilled workman in that line. Soon after 1840 he was employed

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

at work in Kingston on the steamer British Queen. While there he became acquainted with Esther A. Smith, whom he afterward married, and thus it was he came to Alexandria Bay, where Moses Smith then lived. Mr. Smith was one of the prominent characters then living at the Bay, and was owner of a small tavern standing on the site of the present Crossmon House. He was also engaged in other business enterprises, and being in need of help asked Charles Crossmon to come to the village and take charge of the hotel. This was in 1848, during which year the Crossmon House under that name was opened to the public. The new proprietor and his wife did all the work about the hotel and soon at- traeted summer visitors to the place. Even then the St. Lawrence River in this locality was a noted fishing ground, and many persons of means and prominence found pleasant recreation and comfortable en- tertainment at the hotel. Through this means the fame of the region spread throughout the country, and to accommodate the constantly in- creasing number of visitors Mr. Crossmon was compelled to enlarge the capacity of his house. The material additions were made in 1863, 1872 and again in 1880, the latter resulting in the Crossmon House of the present day, coneededly the most popular and exclusive summer resort in all the vast Thousand Island region.

During the later years of Mr. Crossmon's life the house was managed by the founder himself, associated with his son, Charles W. Crossmon, the latter its present proprietor, under whom its standing has ever been maintained, while its entertaining capacity is almost annually over- taxed. Other honses on the river may be larger than The Crossmon, but none is more complete in all its appointments nor has its name and fame a rival in this celebrated region. This gratifying success and popularity was the result of personal enterprise and good judgment on the part of Charles Crossmon, and all interests in Alexandria Bay were in the same manner benefited by his endeavors. Another might have done as much and as well, but the work was his and to him in all justice must the credit be given. The details of this busy life need no recital here. It began in 1848 and closed with the death of Mr. Crossmon, February, 6, 1892. He did not assume to ocenpy a conspicuous posi- tion in the publie or political affairs of the town, yet every worthy en- terprise found in him a generous supporter. In his death the village met a serious loss, but the place thus left vacant was taken by his son and the same satisfactory results are annually realized.

The marriage of Charles Crossmon with Esther A. Smith took place

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

August 15, 18.15. Three children were born to them: William, born August 15, 1816, died September 22, 1846; Charles W., born March 22. 1849, and William, born September 22, 1856, died March 26, 1857.

EDGAR C. EMERSON.'

EDGAR C. EMERSON was born in Brownville, January 22, 1850, a son of Alfred and Marjory (Luther) Emerson. His father was a substan- tial farmer and Judge Emerson's carlier years were spent on the Brown- ville farm. He acquired a good common school and academic education and at the age of seventeen sought and obtained a position as teacher in one of the common schools of the neighborhood. He early evinced a decided fondness for legal study and when nineteen began to earnestly prepare himself for the law. He was in the habit of borrowing books in Watertown and carrying them home to read, and being a close student and possessed of a good measure of natural ability, he was enabled to make good headway, although lacking in the advantages of advice and in- struetion. In 1870 he entered the Albany Law School, and by reason of his previous work, completed the prescribed course and took the LL. B. degree in 1871, being admitted in the same year to the Jefferson county bar.

He did not at once take up active practice, but entered the office of Judge Dennis O'Brien, with whom he remained as clerk for a period of three years, and was then admitted to partnership, the firm name being O'Brien & Emerson, and so remaining until 1883, when by the admis- sion of James A. Ward it became O'Brien, Emerson & Ward; this latter association continued until 1886, since which time Judge Emerson has practiced alone.

Ilis politics are Republican and he has been active in party work, serving as chairman of the County Committee two years. In 1848 he was city attorney of the city of Watertown, and from 1880 to 1887 dis- triet attorney, filling both offices with fidelity and ability. His work as district attorney, especially in the prosecution of criminal cases, has been favorably commented upon more than once and needs no reference here. In 1892 Judge Emerson was elected county judge of Jefferson county, succeeding the late Judge J. C. McCartin; and now (1898) holds the nomination for re election.

1 Contributed.

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He has long been a prominent Mason; is past master of Watertown Lodge No. 49; past high priest of Watertown Chapter No. 59; past commander of Watertown Commandery; and has served as high priest and prophet of Armedia Temple from the charter date.

Judge Emerson is, on the paternal side, a descendant of an old Puri- tan family. His great-grandfather, on the maternal side, was a soldier of the Revolution, a "Green Mountain boy; " and had a son (E. C. Emerson's grandfather), who fought in the war of 1812. His maternal grandmother eame of the old " Mohawk Dutch " stock. Judge Emer- son married, in 1878, Miss Louise M. Wood, a daughter of John J. Wood, formerly of Rutland.

ROSWELL P. FLOWER.

ROSWELL PETTIBONE FLOWER was born August 7, 1835, at Theresa, Jefferson county, N. Y., the fourth son and sixth child of Nathan Monroe and Mary Ann (Boyle) Flower. The father, who died when Roswell was in his eighth year, was born at Oak Hill, Greene county, N. Y., and learned the cloth dressing and wool carding trade in his father's mill. Upon reaching his majority he established himself in business at Cooperstown, Otsego county, N. Y. Here he remained for some time, and married in the neighboring village of Cherry Valley. Soon after he removed to Theresa, then in the midst of the "northern wilderness," and established a woolen mill, but died in 1843, leaving the faithful, industrious mother to care for their nine children, and to manage the business. The family owned a farm of about thirty acres near the village and another of some two hundred acres eight miles out, and each child worked on these farms, raising general crops and cutting wood. Young Roswell picked wool in the woolen mill and worked industriously on these farms; but his mother was not a woman to neglect the mental training of her children, and he was sent to school with regularity. He had three elder brothers and it was therefore not his good fortune to have a new snit of clothes until he was able to earn them himself. Cut-down clothes were invariably his portion and stories are still told of the depression and mental anguish which this caused him.

One of his elder sisters had married a merchant of Theresa (Silas L. George), and he was given employment as a chore boy in the store

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Roswill Befores

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at a salary of five dollars per month and board. During the sessions of the Theresa High School he found time to attend and was graduated at the early age of sixteen. Many anecdotes have been related of how young Flower carned extra spending money. He cut wood for the professional men of the little village, worked on the farms in haying time, and in a brick yard, receiving $1.50 a week for driving a yoke of stags around a clay vat (treading)

There is no employment so well calculated to develop earnest char- acter and self-reliance as school teaching, and many a successful man has gained a valuable experience as a country teacher. Roswell P. Flower is one of these; he made a good school teacher and therefore a successful man. Perhaps the following anecdote, which has frequently been published, will give a better idea than other description of the qualities which secured his success in this field, harder then than now, for the master often had to be the physical as well as mental superior of the whole school: "At the noon intermission of his first day in school, the biggest boy came to him for a 'square-hold wrestle.' Mr. Flower accepted the challenge and easily threw the lad. After he had thrown all the larger boys, he found them all, with one exception, ready to recognize his authority. One day in the spelling class this boy refused to pronounce his syllables and only did so after a tussle. Mr. Flower then gave notice that a spelling school would be held that evening and stated that he desired only those of the scholars to come who would be willing to do their best, and during the intermission the young man in question was heard to remark that he would attend the school but would not spell. Roswell was boarding at this time with the family of Edward Cooper, with whom lived a young man of twenty- two named James Casey. The young teacher talked over the expected trouble and arranged that Casey should choose one side of the school and if the obstreperous young fellow should make his appearance, Casey should elect him to his side, and if he made any fuss in spelling, the two should join forces and put him ont. The evening school had not been opened more than ten minutes before the young man came in and sat down behind one of the old fashioned desks. He was immediately chosen but said he would not spell, and at this young Flower told him he must either spell or leave the school. He replied that he would be - if he would spell and that he would be - if he would leave the school. Mr. Flower insisted, which only called forth a repetition of the offensive remarks. The schoolmaster then called upon anybody pres-

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cnt who desired to resent the insult to the school and the teacher to assist him in putting the offender out of doors; whereupon young Casey rose up and the young man was speedily ejected But he was not con- quered. Ile went over to the hotel a few rods distant and persuaded one of the trustees and a big chap by the name of William Wanfell to come over and whip the teacher. Nothing daunted Roswell stated the case to his belligerant visitors and then said to the young man, 'Now, sir, you must either spell or leave this school again.' This conquered the youthful Sampson and he spelled without further trouble. After school was out the colossal Mr. Wanfell remarked that if the young fellow had not spelled he would have whipped him himself."

In 1853 young Flower was offered a position in a general store at Philadelphia (N. Y.). The proprietor. a Mr. Woodford, failed shortly after, and being thrown out of employment he returned to his native village and finding no better employment, worked in the hay field, " keeping up his end in the mowing with eleven men." In August of the same year he was offered a position in the hardware store of Howell, Cooper & Company of Watertown, but after a few months in this position bettered his condition by accepting a position as deputy postmaster at a salary of $50 a month and board. This position he held for five years under postmaster W. H. Sigourney. In the last year of his employment in the post office he married Sarah M. Wood- ruff, a danghter of Norris M. Woodruff of Watertown, and of this union three children were born, only one of whom now survives, Emma Ger- trude, wife of John B. Taylor of Watertown. Up to this time he had managed to save $1,000 and with this purchased an interest in a jewelry business at 1 Court street in Watertown, the firm name being Hitchcock & Flower. This store now stands and is still used to accom - modate a jewelry business. Watertown people point it out to visitors with the remark "There Roswell P. Flower laid the foundation of his fortune." Mr. Flower's ability seems to have been purely mercantile, although he once absorbed a considerable knowledge of Blackstone and Kent with a view of entering the legal profession, and many believe that he would have gained a brilliant reputation as a business lawyer.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 92

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