USA > New York > Jefferson County > Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York > Part 96
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But notwithstanding the number and magnitude of his business operations, Mr. Taggart always found time to successfully direct their management, and also to take an active part in various other enter- prises. Briefly we may note some of them : He was one of the founders and for a time vice-president of the Watertown Thermometer Company; was one of the organizers and a director of the Watertown National Bank; was a stockholder and director in the Watertown Spring Wagon Company : was founder in fact and president of the Watertown Savings Bank ; was president of the Alexandria Bay Steamboat Company, and of the Central Park Association of the Thousand Islands; was one of the originators and at one time president of the Watertown Electric Street Railroad Company, and was largely interested in the Hotel Eastman, at Hot Springs, Ark. Mr. Taggart was also the president of and a large stock stockholder in the Taggart-Moffett Land Company, operating in Buffalo, besides which he owned extensive land interests in Watertown and its vicinity.
In all these business operations Mr. Taggart found time to give suf- ficient attention to each of them, and in all their details, the care of which would distract the powers of men less favorably consti- tuted. He was apparently seldom worried and never complained; his time always seemed ample for every requirement and his capacity equal to every emergency. He found time, too, to take an active in - terest in almost every measure which had for its end the welfare of Watertown, and was always regarded as a liberal, public spirited citizen, a generous contributor to all worthy enterprises, and held an open purse for every deserving charity. He was an earnest, outspoken Republican, and stood high in the councils of the party in the county. Yet he was not a seeker after office and often refused it. On May 14, 1878, he was appointed by Governor Robinson one of the trustees of the Soldiers' Home at Bath, and was reappointed by Governor Cornell
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
Vin. Jaggarh
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May 4, 1881. Ile was elected mayor of Watertown in 1859, and was re-elected in 1880. He was also deeply interested in the city schools and an carnest advocate of every measure proposed to advance their efficacy. He was brought up under Methodist influences, and though not a member of any church, an application for aid therefrom was never refused by him. Indeed, Mr. Taggart was looked upon as a model citizen and a business man of undoubted capacity, probity and worth. He was successful in business life, and honestly earned and deserved all the success he achieved. His domestic and social life was always pleasant, and the companionship of family and friends within the sacred precinets of home after the day's work ended, was his source of great- est comfort and enjoyment.
As we have stated, on May 28, 1856, Mr. Taggart was married with Frances L. Brown. Their children were Grace, who married with P. R. Dillon, and now lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Mary L., who married with Morris F. Tanner, of Buffalo, and Byron Taggart, who, with his cousin, manages the extensive mills of the Taggart Bros. Company at Watertown, and also upon whom has devolved the care of his father's other interests.
Several weeks previous to his death, Mr. Taggart started on a trip through the South and West. While traveling from Louisville, Ky., to Cincinnati, Ohio, he was stricken with apoplexy. His physician and son at once went to his assistance, and brought him home, but despite every attention which love and wealth could furnish he gradually failed until January 20, 1897, when he died.
WILLIAM W. TAGGART.
WILLAM W. TAGGART, who for a period of forty years has been closely associated with many of the best industrial enterprises of Jef- ferson county, and the founder of several of them, was born in Le Ray, December 28, 1825. His grandfather was Joseph Taggart, a pioneer in the Black River country, who came to the region with his
Ry descent on his father's side William W. Taggart is Scotch. His great-grandfather, Henry Taggart, immigrated to this county from the Isle of Man and settled in Newport, Rhode Island, more than 150 years ago. He is English on his mother's side, his maternal grandfather. John Dighton, of Oxford, England, having come to this country as a soldier in Burgoyne's army. After the surrender Mr. Dighton became a citizen of this State, and served for some time in the American army during later years of the Revolution.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
family during the early years of the century. Henry Taggart, son of the pioneer, married with Julina Dighton, daughter of John Dighton, an early settler in Pamelia. In Henry Taggart's family were eight children, among whom William was the fourth. His father died when William was about twelve years old, and the latter, after attaining his fifteenth year, practically made his own way in life. His early edu- cation was acquired in the common schools and the academies at Evans' Mills, Gouverneur and Watertown. In 1846 he entered Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Middletown, Conn., and was graduated in 1849. He then went west and remained a few years, but determining to enter profes- sional life, he returned home and studied law in the office of Mullin & Merwin. He was admitted to practice in 1856, and soon afterward be- gan professional work at Terre Haute, Ind., where he lived, except for a short time spent in Watertown, a little less than two years.
About this time circumstances at home required his return to the East, and he again took up his abode on the old farm in Le Ray, from which town in 1859 he was elected to the Assembly, serving during the legislative session of 1860. In the following year, on December 19, Mr. Taggart was married with Susan S. Lee, daughter of Daniel Lee, who was a prominent man and public official of the county seat. After marriage Mr. Taggart began law practice in Watertown in the office of David M. Bennett, but in 1863 the latter was elected surrogate, and two years later Mr. Taggart became special surrogate, succeeding Judge Sawyer, resigned. In the fall of 1864 he was elected surrogate of the county, and served in that capacity two terms, one of four and one of six years.
During this period of professional work, both in the office and on the bench of the Surrogate's Court, Mr. Taggart became eligible to still higher positions of trust in political affairs, but circumstances, aided perhaps by personal inclination, drew him away from the office and turned his energies in another direction. In 1866 a company was or- ganized for the manufacture of manila paper, the first enterprise of its kind on the river. The leading spirits of the undertaking were George West, Lewis Palmer, Byron B. and William W. Taggart. The indus- try was established and put into successful operation, but after a short time Mr. West sold out to his associates and a Mr. Davis, by whom the business was continued about five years, when Byron B. and William W. Taggart became sole proprietors, thus originating the firm of Tag- gart Brothers, which was afterward so conspicuously and prominently
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identified with many of the most extensive and successful manufactur- ing enterprises in the Black River region until the death of Byron B. Taggart, January 20, 1897.
In all their various enterprises, under whatever name or form of or- ganization, these brothers worked in perfect harmony in a common in - terest, Byron (to use his brother's own language) taking a leading and conspicuous part. In 1886, for business convenience, the old firm of Taggart Brothers was converted into a stock company, under the style of Taggart Brothers Company, and at the same time Henry W. Taggart and George C. Sherman (son and son-in-law of W. W. Taggart) were taken into the concern. This arrangement of the business enabled William W. Taggart to indulge himself in the pleasures and benefits of travel, both at home and abroad. Indeed, since 1878 Mr. Taggart has been an extensive traveler, visiting at different times all the countries of Europe, including a journey to the North Cape. Ile has traveled all northern Africa from Morocco to Egypt, including a trip up the Nile to the first cataract. His travels in his own country have em- braced all the States and principal cities of the Union, and the Province of Canada, including also a trip to Alaska, to Mexico and to Cuba. lle enjoys the pleasant distinction of having encircled the globe, the jour- ney having been leisurely made, occupying nearly a year, and including visits to all the oriental countries along the route of travel-Japan, China, the English Straits settlement, Ceylon and India; and on his return visiting Constantinople, Greece and Sicily.
In addition to the partnership enterprises previously mentioned Mr. Taggart has been connected with other business undertakings, which have contributed in a good degree to the distinction Watertown enjoys in being the most important industrial city in northern New York. In organizing the Taggart Paper Company, a successful enterprise at Felt's Mills, he took a leading part. Indeed, no worthy enterprise has been suggested to promote the welfare of the city and county in which he has not been in some manner interested, and in all his professional and business career no public or private charity ever appealed to him in vain. For many years he was a director of the National Union Bank, and is now its president. He is also president of the Water- town Savings Bank, the Taggart Paper Company and the Taggart Brothers Company, succeeding to these positions on the death of his brother, B. B. Taggart.
Mr. Taggart began business life with small means, and his enterprise
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
and sagacity have been rewarded with a financial fabric of large pro- portions. In politics he was originally a Whig, but later an earnest Republican.
Mr. Taggart's domestic life, with the exception of the loss of his wife, who died August 20, 1866, has been entirely pleasant. His chil- dren, with whom he divides his time at home, are Alice L., wife of George C. Sherman, and Henry W. Taggart, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Taggart Brothers Company. For thirty years Mr. Taggart has been a member of the Presbyterian church.
PARDON C. WILLIAMS.
PARDON C. WILLIAMS, present justice of the Supreme Court, State of New York, was a native of Ellisburgh, N. Y., born July 12, 1842, and was the fifth child born to William and Jerusha (Plummer) Williams, of that town. His grandfather, William Williams, came from Wind- ham county, Vermont, and was one of the pioneers of Ellisburgh. He settled on a tract of land between Ellisburgh and Mannsville and cleared and developed a good farm. Of his children the daughters married and settled in that vicinity, but his sons, except William, removed to Ohio. William, jr., son of the pioneer, was a substantial farmer and acquired a competency. About 1847 or 1848 he removed to Pierrepont Manor, and afterward lived in that locality many years, owning and occupying several farms. He was a man highly respected in the southern part of the county, and indeed wherever known, yet he did not engage actively in public affairs nor did he seek to gain any polit- ical prominence. He died aged eighty-two years, and within a year afterward his widow also died, at the age of seventy-two years.
The early life of Pardon C. Williams was spent on his father's farm, and after his fourteenth year his time was divided between farm work, and attending and teaching school. Later on he attended Union Academy at Belleville, Jefferson county, the Clinton Liberal Institute at Clinton, Oneida county, and St. Lawrence University, at Canton, remain- ing at the latter institution about two years. In the spring of 1862 he came to Watertown and began a course of law study in the office of Ham- mond & Bigelow, then a well known law firm of the county seat, and at the general term of the Supreme Court held in October, 1863, he was admitted to practice. Soon afterward the law partnership of Hammond
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&. Williams was formed, Mr. Bigelow having dropped professional work to take editorial supervision of the Watertown Times, A little later Gen. Bradley Winslow came into the firm, the style of which then became Hammond, Winslow & Williams, and was so continued until 1867, when Mr. Williams retired and began practice alone.
In the fall of 1868 he became a candidate for the district attorney ship of the county, was nominated by the convention in September, and elected at the polls in November following. At the expiration of his first term Mr. Williams was re elected, serving in that office six years, and during the time established a reputation as a successful prosecuting criminal lawyer, although in taste and inclination he much preferred the general practice in the civil courts.
In his conduet of the office Mr. Williams tried his cases unassisted, which was something of an innovation at that time, but it gave him confidence in himself, and an excellent standing in the profession and with the people. In March, 1824, he formed a partnership with John C. MeCartin, at whose request he did not again seek a nomination but left the office to engage in general practice. The firm of McCartin & Williams was thereafter known in legal circles in northern New York for a period of ten years; and it is no idle compliment to say that it was regarded among the strongest in the region. However, in March, 1884, the firm was dissolved, Mr. Williams having, in the fall of 1883, been nominated and elected justice of the Supreme Court for the Fifth Ju- dicial district of the State. In this office Judge Williams served a full term of fourteen years, and was then nominated both by the Republi- can and Democratic Judicial Conventions, and re elected withont oppo- sition. In the fall of 1895 he was designated by Governor Morton as one of the associate justices of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the First Judicial Department of the State, and served in that capacity until January 1, 1898.
Judge Williams is just beginning his second term on the bench of the Supreme Court. He is yet, comparatively, a young man, and we cannot write of him as of a member of the old bar of the county ; yet in the thousand and one details which make up the character of a success- fnl lawyer and judge he fortunately possesses those most essential to popularity and high standing. As a lawyer he displayed remarkable industry in collecting details and facts, and equal sagacity in properly presenting them to the jury. As a magistrate upon the bench he has been known for rapidity in the disposition of trial cases, yet perfectly
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
fair to both sides. He understands the law and delights in imparting knowledge to the younger members of the profession, with whom he is especially forbearing and considerate. In politics Judge Williams has ever been a firm and unyielding Republican, yet not aggressive or abusive in expressing his views to members of the opposite party. Ilis domestic and social life have been equally pleasant.
His wife was Sarah E. Hewitt, adopted daughter of Clark Hewitt, of Watertown, with whom he was married September 9, 1868. Six chil- dren were born of this marriage, of whom three are living. They are Edith, a graduate of Vassar; Robert Plummer, clerk for his father, and Marguerite Williams. Judge Williams's family are communicants in Trinity church. He was brought up under Universalist influences but is not a church member.
WILLIAM G. WILLIAMS.
WILLIAM G. WILLIAMS, who, by reason of his long connection with educational interests in this county and elsewhere, is one of the most widely acquainted school officials in the State, was a native of Columbia county, born in the city of Hudson, September 17, 1829. He was the son and one of six children of Nathan Williams, an earnest, honest and hard-working man, who possessed little means, and who died when William was an infant. After this misfortune the older children of the family were placed out in various homes, where they would be brought up under right influences, after which the widowed mother and Will- iam went to Norwich to live in the family of her uncle, James Birdsall, a banker. In a few years Mr. Birdsall removed to Addison, Steuben county, where he had a store and mills, and here William G. Williams acquired his elementary education in the district schools; but soon afterward (1840), his mother took him to Homer, where she lived for a few months and thence removed to Preble. Here the youth was placed in the home of a Methodist clergyman, where he had access to a good library and, still better, was given the benefit of an excellent village school. At the age of sixteen years he received his first teachers' cer- tificate, and at once entered upon a career which he has since faithfully and studiously followed, keeping pace with the ever changing and pro- gressive methods that have carried him through almost half a century of years, and have given him a rich and varied experience such as has
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been the good fortune of but few publie educators and superintendents. In another department of this work will be found a more detailed sketch of the early life, struggles and ultimate success of Prof. Will- iams, wherefore in the present connection it is not deemed advisable to repeat the minutia of those events.
As has been stated, Prof. Williams began life as a school teacher in Cortland county in 1845. Two years latter he taught a short term at Brunswick, Rensselaer county, and in the spring of 1818 came to Jeffer- son county and began teaching in old district No. 9, town of Water- town. He was thus employed several years, but in the mean time, when his own school was closed, he took a course of study at the Jeffer- son County Institute, and was graduated in 1851. For the next five years he taught the Brownville school, and during the time served two terms as town superintendent of common schools. In 1855, under the law creating the office of county school commissioner, he was appointed to that position for the Third district of this county, but before his term had fully expired he was prevailed upon by the late Lotus Ingalls, dis- trict trustee, to take charge of the Lamon Street school in the then village of Watertown.
From that time Prof. Williams has been a part of the educational sys- tem both of the village and subsequent city, as teacher at the desk in the schoolroom and as superintendent in charge of all the schools of the city, and also the chief adviser of the Board of Education. Here his rich and varied experience have been important factors in establishing and maintaining the standard of efficiency for which the Watertown public schools are noted throughout the State. Prof. Williams taught in the village schools until they were resolved into the Union Free system, and then continued under the advanced method until 1869, when he was elected superintendent of city schools. However, in 1870 he was appointed postmaster, therefore temporarily discontinued his actual connection with, but never his interest in, the public schools. During the twelve years of his incumbency of the postmastership, he was much of the time a member of the Board of Education, and also during the same period he became interested in several manufacturing enterprises in the city, but having no time to personally look to these interests, certain of them subsequently proved unfortunate from a busi- ness point of view. In March, 1883, on the resignation of Fred Sey- mour, Prof. Williams was elected his successor as superintendent of schools, which position he still holds; and in all the changes of later
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years (particularly in introducing the desirable Quiney system), he has earnestly advocated advanced methods, and at the same time has been mindful of the financial interests of the city and taxpayers.
William G. Williams has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married November 18, 1854, was Mary C. Gard, of Brownville. She died February 2, 1885, leaving one daughter, Florence E. Williams, now a teacher in the city schools. On April 5, 1888, Prof. Williams married Mrs. Mary E. Barrows, who for many years has been con- nected with the public schools of the city.
PART III.
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Fitch, Francis N., was born in Fulton county, in 1839. He com- menced the study of law in Johnstown, N. Y., and was admitted to practice in 1863, locating in Cape Vincent, where he remained nearly ten years. He has since resided in Watertown, and for a number of years was managing clerk for Hon. F. W. Hubbard. He has devoted considerable attention to the specialty of government claims, and has secured a large clientage.
Gates, Edward M .- Among the citizens of Watertown who are dis- tinguished for their public spirit, one of the most conspicuous is Mr. Edward M. Gates. A master of diplomacy, a princely entertainer and the possessor of an ample fortune, he stands forth clearly as a type of those self-made men who have made their way from obseurity to dis- tinction by their own efforts. Mr. Gates was born in Lewis county, N. Y., February, 1843. When he was five years of age his parents removed to Watertown, where he attended the public schools and at an early age a position was offered him and accepted in the employ of Mr. A. M. Utley, where he remained for ten years in a clerical capacity. In the mean time he had saved up a large portion of his earnings and in 1861 he removed to San Francisco, Cal., and engaged in the clothing business on his own account. This business was continued until 1864, when Mr. Gates sold out and returned to Watertown where he engaged in the grocery business on Court street for a period of four years. In 1843 the hardware firm of Gates & Spratt was formed and was success- fully carried on for seventeen years. Mr. Gates has always taken an active part in politics ; the first political office held was in 1869, when he was elected city clerk. Three years later he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue; in 1882 was appointed postmaster by President Arthur and re-appointed by President Harrison in 1890. During his second term as postmaster he secured an appropriation of $75,000 to erect a post office building, which was completed in 1893 and
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
is one of the handsomest government buildings in Northern New York. Mr. Gates is a director in the Jefferson County Bank, a stockholder and director of the Watertown Spring Wagon Co. and one of the instigators of the Watertown Street Railroad. He has been honored times with- out number with positions of trust and responsibility and in all his relations with the public has been a source of benefit to the city.
Reeves, George W., was born at Pillar Point, February 13, 1866. His early life was spent upon the farm, with the exception of two or three years spent in learning the carpenter's trade. Meanwhile, during the winter months, he attended the district schools at Pillar Point; also the Dexter school, then under charge of the veteran schoolmaster, A. D. Van Allen. Mr. Reeves began teaching as a country district school- master and continued teaching for several years, the last as principal of the Union Free School at Rodman, N. Y. At the age of twenty- seven he began the study of law in the office of Rogers & Atwell at Watertown, and continued with that firm until admitted to the bar in July, 1896. He then commenced the practice of his profession at No. 43 Savings Bank Building, Watertown, N. Y., where he is now located.
Rogers, Watson M., was born in Cape Vincent, December 3, 1846, and is a son of Fordyce M. and Eleanor (Van Nostrand) Rogers, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Jefferson county. Watson M. was a student in the Watertown High School, and also attended the Jefferson County Institute. He commenced the study of law in 1867, and the same year entered the Albany Law School, grad- uating from that institution in 1868. He subsequently studied in the office of Hammond & Winslow of Watertown, and in 1813 became associated with Frederick Lansing, which partnership was dissolved upon Mr. Lansing's election to Congress in 1888. He served as dis- trict attorney for two terms, from 1814 to 1880. In January, 1802, he took Joseph Atwell as copartner. They are still in practice together.
Hanchette, William D., is a native of Watertown, N. Y., born Feb- ruary 6, 1851, and educated in the public schools of his native city. His first employment was as a messenger boy with the Montreal Tele- graph Company (which was afterward merged into the Western Union) and Great Northwestern Telegraph Company; he was advanced from time to time until he became manager of the Watertown office. In 1883 he was elected city chamberlain, serving in that capacity for five
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