Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 102

Author: Curtis, Gates
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1328

USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 102
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 102

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).

200

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Rossie and Gouverneur. His parents moved on the farm in the latter town when Fred was seven years of age. His first education was received at the common schools, and when he was seventeen years old he was sent to Wesleyan Seminary in Gouverneur. His first occupation was a teacher, which he began in his nineteenth year. The year he was twenty-one he went to Watertown, where he began the study of law in the office of McCartin & Williams. He was in the office as student and clerk about four and one-half years, and was admitted to the bar January 9, 1880. He was in the office of H. M. Wilbur as clerk and practicing for himself about a year and a half and was with Henry Purcell then city recorder, a year and a half. In 1884 he moved to the village of Madrid, where he opened an office and established a practice that has since occupied his attention. The winter of 1879 he was clerk to the committee on printing, and committee on militia in the Assembly Chambers at Albany. September 1, 1890, Mr. Merriman was appointed by A. Von Landburg, deputy collector of Internal Revenue for the third Division of the 21st District, consisting of the counties of Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis, an office he has filled with satisfaction to his superiors and credit to himself. He is a retired member of the State militia, serving five years with the 39th Separate Company and retired as corporal. He married September 2, 1886, Edith T., daughter of the late O. C. Robinson of Madrid. They have one daughter, Jessie Viles.

Gray, C. F., Russell, was born in Russell, February 25, 1863, a son of Daniel C. Gray, who is also a native of this county and a son of Daniel Gray, who was a native of Massachusetts and came here at an early day. D. C. Gray was born February 8, 1833, and has always followed farming until the last three years. He resided in Chicago for some time. He married Sarah E. Winslow of this county, who bore him three chil- dren. Our subject was educated in the common schools and has always followed agri- culture. He has 160 acres of land and keeps twenty-five cows, also sheep. February 23, 1887, he married Carrie, daughter of Frank and Sarah (Gilman) Towner, the latter being a daughter of Antipath Gilman, mentioned in this work. Mrs. Towner died in 1880. Mr. Gray is a Republican, and he and his wife are liberal in their religious views.

Sanford, Herbert J., Parishville, was born in Hopkinton, April 1, 1861, a son of Jonah Sanford. He was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy and in Potsdam Nor- mal School. Mr. Sanford spent one year at the tanning business in Hopkinton, and three years in the mercantile and lumber trade in Parishville, under the firm name, of Clark, Sanford & Co. In 1886 he engaged in the mercantile business for himself and has since done a very successful business. June 28, 1882, he married Bertha, daughter of Varick A. Chittenden, a retired merchant of Hopkinton. Mr. Sanford and wife have had three children : Infant son, born July 15, 1884, died September 6, 1884; Alice Edna, born December 23, 1887; Floyd H., born January 5, 1891, died October 6, 1891. Mr. Sanford is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife attend the Congregational church.

Millar, William John L., M.D., Russell, was born in Newboro, Ontario, Canada, June 27, 1839. His father, William J. Millar, M.D., was a native of Belfast, Ireland, born in 1795, and was a son of Captain Alexander Millar of the English army, a

201

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

Scotchman by birth, who was killed during the rebellion in Ireland in 1798. Will- iam J. Millar, M.D., came to America about 1835, and was a graduate of Dublin Uni- versity, Ireland. After coming to this country he taught Greek and Latin for two years in the College of Geneva, N. Y. From here he returned to Canada, and began the practice of medicine and surgery at Newboro, Ont., and there he remained in active practice up to the time of his death in February, 1858. In 1837 he married Eliza Moore of Brockville, and they had eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom our subject, William J. L., is the oldest. He was educated at Buffalo, N. Y., and is a graduate from the Buffalo University. He came to Russell in 1867, and has since been in active practice here and in surrounding towns. In 1862 he married Ada J. B. West, daughter of James West of South Mountain, Ont., a sur- veyor and civil engineer, who was the son of Capt. Henry West of Canterbury, England. Dr. and Mrs. Millar have four sons: James C. W., born in South Mountain June 10, 1864, who is principal of a school in Montana; William J. L., 2d, now practicing medicine with his father. He was born May 26, 1865, and graduated from Buffalo University in May, 1893. He married Edith L. Wilson of Heuvelton, and they have one child, William J. L., 3d, born May 16, 1802. Arthur W. W., born June 12, 1867, at Russell, is a farmer and marricd Florence May Sanderson ; Reginald C. M., was born November 7, 1877, at Russell, is teaching school and lives at home. Dr. Millar is a member of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society, is a Democrat and attends the Methodist church.

Fanning, Benajah C., Russell, was born in Russell, October 29, 1836, a son of Caleb, who was born in Herkimer county, November 14, 1807. He was a son of William and Elsie (Corp) Fanning, who came from Herkimer to St. Lawrence county when Caleb was a boy. In 1830 they came to Russell, where he died in 1835, and his wife several years later. Caleb was twenty-three years old when he came to this town, and he has lived on the same farm since 1832. In 1833 he married Jane Brown of Edwards, born March 26, 1816, a daughter of Jonathan Brown. To Caleb and wife were born eleven children, of whom seven grew to maturity : Emily, wife of Hezekiah Carr; Ben- ajah, our subject ; Vaniah, who married Clarissa Stafford; Andrew, who lives on the old homestead and married Annie Nolan; Hezekiah, who married Elizabeth McCon- nell ; D. C., wife of Victor Hatch. Mr. Fanning is a Republican. Benajah C. worked at farming at home till the age of twenty-seven, and then rented the homestead for four years. In 1868 he bought his present place of 135 acres, which he has cleared and improved, and he keeps a dairy of fourteen cows and young stock. In 1863 he married Susan, daughter of Ashabel Curtis of Russell, and they have had two children : Jessie, wife of Albert Hughes of Russell, and Lynn, who lives at home.

Stearns, Nathan W., of Brasher Center, was born in Stockholm, November 1, 1827, a son of Abel H. and Deborah (Kelcey) Stearns, the former born February 8, 1786, and the latter July 22, 1790. They were married February 2, 1809, and came to Stockholm among the pioneers, where the father died May 13, 1843, and the mother October 16, 1845. The had nine children: Ralph P., Jonathan W., Isaac K., Abel H., jr., Eliza Ann, Jason W., Benjamin H., Reuben R., and Nathan W. The latter

202

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

was reared a farmer and was for several years a clerk at Brasher Center, and about two years a merchant. For the past thirty years he has been engaged in farming, now owning a farm of about eighty acres. He is a Republican, and has been over- seer of the poor, etc. March 8, 1854, he married Maria I. Talcott, born August 14, 1826, daughter of Dr. Giles L. and Charlotte W. (Goodnough) Talcott of New Eng- land, and afterward of Stockholm. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have had five children : Marcia M., born March 3, 1855, wife of Dr. M. B. Holcomb of Keeseville; Giles H., born March 27, 1858, married Lilly M. Bentley ; Elva J., born April 30, 1863, wife of H. S. Taylor of Brasher; Bertha E., born February 2, 1866, wife of M. E. Shoen of Massena; Charles H., born February 4, 1869, married Emma J. Allen, and is a farmer at home. Isaac Kelcey, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer in the county and a man of considerable influence in his day. The village of Winthrop is on what was Isaac Kelcey's farm, where he lived after coming to the county. His nearest white neighbors on the northeast were at Cornwall, P. Q., some twenty-five miles distant; though the red men were all about him. He lived in perfect peace and tranquillity among them.

Rider, James M., Russell, was born in Vermont in 1839, a son of James D., whose father was one of the pioneers of St. Lawrence county. James D. married Sarah Pot- ter, born in Vermont, and they settled on a farm in Hopkinton. James M., our subject, was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools of Parishville and Hopkinton. At the age of eighteen he began work on a farm at very low wages, and continued in this line for about fifteen years. By industry and frugality he soon became possessor of one of the most valuable farms in the town. In 1866 he married Maria M., daughter of Harry West of Vermont, and they have five children : Minnie Backus, born in Hopkinton April 3, 1868, married Myron Backus, and has one child, Fredda W .; Gertrude, born in Canton June 9, 1871; Eve Knox, born in Canton April 28, 1873, married Burtiss S. Knox; Jay, born in Russell January 1, 1875; William, born in Russell June 27, 1878. Mr. Rider first bought a farm in Hopkinton, where he lived one year, then rented in Canton five years, and then bought the farm of over 200 acres, which he now owns and works. He carries on general farming and dairying, keeping about twenty cows and other stock, sheep, etc. He is a Republican in his politics, but has never cared for office. . His family attends the Methodist church.

Young, Enoch, Brier Hill, was born in Hammond, December 8, 1835, and came to Morristown in 1844. His father was Zenas Young, and his grandfather, Enoch Young of Dutchess county. His mother was Evaline (Battell) Young. Mr. Young is an ex- tensive farmer and prominent in Morristown. He is a Republican in politics, has been delegate to the county and State conventions, and has been supervisor of Morristown for eleven years.

Yerden, George S., Brier Hill, was born in Montgomery county, July 29, 1832, and has lived in Brier Hill for sixty years. He first followed painting with his father, but subsequently became a carpenter and joiner, which he followed till 1883, when he opened a general store at Brier Hill. He was appointed postmaster there August 15, 1889. Mr. Yerden has been married twice. His first wife was Mary E. Burnett, whom

203

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

he married October 13, 1859. His second wife, Mrs. Bridget Bracey, he married Sep- ternber 25, 1888. Mr. Yerden is a Republican, and highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.

Wilson, George B., Colton, was born in Gilboa, Schoharie county, June 5, 1836, a son of Benjamin, a native of that county, born August 21, 1799, who married Elizabeth Franklin, of Vermont, and had seven children who grew to maturity. George B. lived on a farm till the age of fifteen, and was then apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, which he soon abandoned and learned tanning, working first in Gilboa, and then in Delaware and Hamilton counties. At the age of twenty-two he came to Colton and entered a tannery, working in the rolling department for Lorenzo Hull, and with the exception of four years spent on his farm in Pierrepont he has been engaged in the St. Lawrence Tannery most of the time since, holding the position of foreman. Mr. Wilson owns 240 acres of land in Pierrepont and a lot in Colton. May 9, 1863, he married Ellen J. Jones, of Vermont, and they had four children : Fred W., Charles, who died aged ten years, Frank H., and Alice. In 1861 Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company H, Ninety-second N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, and after serving one year was discharged for disability. He is a member of G. A. R., Wait Post No. 581 of Colton. Fred W. Wilson was born in Colton, November 10, 1864, was educated in the St. Lawrence Uni- versity, and spent some time as clerk in a drug store, having been connected with Hepburn & Spear seven years. Since April 15, 1889, he has been engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business, also handling hay and wood. October 11, 1893, he married Louisa A. Johnson, of Richville, daughter of James Johnson, of Philadelphia. Mr. Wil- son is a Republican and has been town clerk one year. February 2, 1892, he was ap- pointed postmaster and has since held that office. He is a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428 F. & A. M.

Wainwright; J. W., Gouverneur, was born in Prescott, January 4, 1847, and spent his early years on the farm. Twenty-five years ago he came to Gouverneur. In 1868 he married Olive Haskins, and they have three children : Mrs. William Baker, Elmer, and Tunis. Seven years ago Mr. Wainwright opened his hotel in Brooklyn, which he will greatly enlarge this year. His father was Mathew Wainwright, and his mother Adelaide (Thornton) Wainwright.

Walker, William, De Kalb, was born in Richiville, April 8, 1843, His father, Horatio, was one of the early settlers of De Kalb, who came from Massachusetts. He married Ruth Smith, a native of De Kalb. Our subject followed farming till thirty years of age, when he engaged in the mercantile business in his present place. He has con- ducted a most successful business for twenty years, and has won the esteem of his townspeople. In 1869 he married Amelia E. Lynd, and they have one daughter, Ada L.

Wainwright, Lorin M., De Kalb, was born in Macomb, November 13, 1853. He re- mained on his father's farm until twenty-five years of age, when he embarked in the mercantile business, conducting a general store and meat market, which latter branch he gave up after operating it ten years, and now devotes himself to the general store, with which he also has open sheds for farmers' use. In 1874 he married Ella Bar-

204

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

ber, who died in 1876. In 1877 he married again and has four daughters. Mr. Wain- wright has been very successful in his business operations, and is regarded as one of the enterprising men of De Kalb. He is a Mason and an active Democrat.

Wright, S. B., Hammond, was born in Oswegatchie, July 19, 1833. He was a farm- er's son, and after teaching school eight winters he returned to farming, which he has followed ever since. In 1857 he married Martha Moyer. Mr. Wright has been as- sessor of Hammond ten years. In 1890 he was elected magistrate. His father was William H. Wright, a native of Canada. His grandfather was Timothy Wright, a nat- ive of Vermont, and his mother was Mary (Taylor) Wright.

Walrath, Philip, Edwardsville, was born in Herkimer county, August 15, 1818, but has resided in Morristown for fifty years, and during a great part of this time has been one of the active and leading men of the town, holding public offices. In 1844 he married Pluma, daughter of Dr. Willis, of Springfield, Otsego county, and they have three children : Mrs. Craigs, Solomon, and Alfred Willis. Mr. Walrath has been a member of the Lutheran church for forty-five years.

Wright, I. W., Gouverneur, was born in Canada, May 2, 1826. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and followed it many years. In 1868 he came to Wegatchie and embarked in the manufacture of woolen goods. He has a fine woolen mill, in which he put all the machinery himself. Mr. Wright married Maria Fishbeck in Jan- uary, 1851. They have one son and two daughters : Ida Louisa, Venetta Estelle, and J. H. Wright. Mr. Wright manufactures cashmeres, flannels, cotton wraps, etc.

Wand, Philip, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, January 14, 1853. His father inaugurated business here forty-two years ago. Philip learned the trade of a wagon and carriagemaker with his father, with whom he worked, and upon the death of that gentleman succeeded him in the business. About sixteen years ago they moved their business from down town up to their present stand on New York avenue, which property they purchased and built upon. Philip married in 1880 Sarah Connor, and they have two children. Mr. Wand is an energetic and enterprising gentleman, much respected, and his establishment is among the oldest in this city.

Wood, Henry H., Ogdensburg. - His ancestors came to this country in the Mayflower and settled in Norwich, Conn. They afterward participated in the Revolutionary War in General Gates's army, and in the War of 1812. A branch of the family settled in the Genesee Valley and Black River country. From this branch Henry H. is in direct descent. He received his education in the schools of Hammond, and was brought =p by his grandfather, Henry C., his father, Henry F., having died in early manhood. He has been in Ogdensburg for the past thirty years and is general manager for S. G. Pope, which position he has held for the past thirteen years. Prior to this time he was employed by the railroad for many years. He married in 1872 Jane A. Smith.

Watkins, Henry, Potsdam, was born in Rutland, Vt., in October, 1819. He gradu- ated from Middlebury College and came to Potsdam to reside about 1842. Here he entered St. Lawrence Academy as professor of mathematics and remained in this posi- tion for several years. In 1847 he engaged in the foundry business, later forming

205

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

a partnership with Charles W. Leete in the hardware trade. In 1863 Messrs. Watkins & Leete purchased an interest in the saw mill property on the west side of the river, and continued business together in both these branches of industry until 1872, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Leete taking the hardware and foundry, and Mr. Watkins the saw mill property, with which he was connected until his death. When the movement was started to secure the location of one of the State Normal Schools in this village, Mr. Watkins entered into it heart and soul. He was active and untiring in all the plans, details and management connected with the building of this great and beneficent institution. As a fit recognition of his services he was made president of the first local board appointed for the school, and continued to hold the position un- til his death. His interest in this institution never for a moment flagged, and every movement for its advancement and success received his earnest and effective sup- port. Mr. Watkins was a member of the Presbyterian church, with which he united early in life. He took an active part in the building of the present church edifice of that society in this village. He was one of the solid and substantial business men of the place, and for half a century was closely identified with the social, moral and ma- terial life and growth of Potsdam. He died in Potsdam, March 29, 1891, of typhoid pneumonia in his seventy-second year.

Wait, Myron H., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, May 17, 1825. Allen Wait, father of our subject, was a native of Vermont, born in Shoreham, March 11, 1780, and was one of the first settlers of the town of Potsdam, coming here in 1802, when the town was a wilderness. He took up 100 acres in the northwestern part, and his first resi- dence was a log house, which was superseded in 1825 by a frame house. Allen Wait took little interest in public affairs, but devoted his whole time to his home interests. His wife was Abigail Bailey, also a native of Vermont, and they had ten children, only two of whom are living : Allen Wait, the second, a farmer of this town; and Myron H. Allen Wait, sr., is dead, and Mrs. Wait died in December, 1839. The whole life of our subject was spent in this town, living on the old homestead farin until he was fifteen, when the family moved to the western part of Potsdam. When he was twenty- one he started out for himself, but returned after two years to spend four years with his father. In 1853 he moved to Hopkinton, where he bought a farm of sixty acres, and cultivated it three years, returning in 1856 to Potsdam, buying a farm of ninety-six acres to which he added until he owned 176 acres. He left this in 1871 to settle on his present farm, a fine place of 167 acres and also an adjoining one of fifteen acres. The farm is devoted mainly to dairying, and Mr. Wait conducts a milk route in Potsdam, where he disposes of about 150 quarts per day. He also makes butter from the fur- nishing of thirty-six cows. Mr. Wait married in 1854, Eliza J., daughter of Benjamin Butler, a farmer of Potsdam, who was a native of Vermont, coming to this country when seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wait had two children : Ida Elizabeth, wife of Ezra S. Smith of Des Moines, Ia .; and Emma Sophronia, now a teacher in the Normal School at Shippenburg, Pa.

Wait, John, Potsdam, was born in Clayton, August 10, 1855, a son of Jason, a native of Jefferson county, where he was born July 25, 1833. He is a ship builder by trade and has built a number of lake vessels. He married Sarah A. Angsbery of Jefferson

206

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

county, and they had three children, all living. Mr. Wait died in 1862. John was educated in the common schools of Clayton and when sixteen years of age went into the organ factory of A. M. Brush at Clayton, where he spent five years, and in 1872 they removed to Potsdam and Mr. Wait came with them, and has ever since lived here. He is a Democrat and takes an active interest in politics. He married, September 14, 1880, Sarah E. Fling, a native of Potsdam.

Weagant, Ernest E., D.S., Potsdam, was born in Canada, August 6, 1859, a son of Hermin G., now in his seventy-fourth year and still practicing dental surgery in Mor- risburg, Canada. The early life of Ernest E. was spent in the town of his birth. He was educated in the common and high schools of Morrisburg. His first study of den- tistry was in his father's office, and in 1887 he entered Philadelphia Dental College, from which he graduated with the degree of D.D.S., March 1, 1888. The same year, in May, he came to Potsdam where he bought the office and practice of Dr. H. M. Welch, and he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has spacious parlors and office in the Ives Block on Market street, and has built up a practice second to none in the town, making a specialty of crown and bridge work.

Whalen, Thomas, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, September 12, 1830. His parents settled in St. Lawrence county about 1822. Thomas was educated in the com- mon schools and worked with his father on the farm until twenty years of age, when he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, after the completion of which he became actively engaged in contracting and building, which occupation he has since success- fully followed and in the course of which he has erected many important buildings, among others we mention the annex to the academy, several buildings on the hospital grounds, etc. He married Elizabeth Burns, and has three sons and three daughters. Mr. Whalen has served the city as alderman, assessor, etc. He is a member of the Oswegatchie club, and is identified with the city's best interests. He furnishes con- stant employment to a considerable force of hands.

Williams, C. E., Ogdensburg, was born in Vermont, December 11, 1867. He was liberally educated in the schools of Turin, Lewis county, after which he served an ap- prenticeship for five years in pharmacy, eventually graduating from the National Insti- tute of Pharmacy in Chicago. In 1890 Mr. Williams purchased the drug establishment for many years conducted by George Watt, and has been very successful. He handles a number of specialties, and is well adapted for the business.

Westbrook Family, The, Ogdensburg .- Members of this family settled in Ulster county about 1640. Charles R. Westbrook, father of James, came to Ogdensburg from Kings- ton, Ulster county, in 1855, and followed the practice of his profession here for eight years. He then was appointed manager of the Parish property, and five years after- ward assumed charge of the Power Iron Works, which position he held for twenty years. After this Mr. Westbrook was in the customs department in New York city and also had charge of the Sterlington Iron Works there. He is at present practicing law in that city. James Westbrook was born in Ogdensburg, September 29, 1860, was educated in the schools here, and in July, 1879, entered the O. L. & C. Railroad office

207

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

nere as clerk. He is now agent of the business. Mr. Westbrook married a daugh- ter of Stillman Forte and they have three children. Mr. Westbrook is a member of the Ogdensburg Club, etc., and upon his mother's side is a descendant of Judge John Scott, whose history is identified with St. Lawrence county.

Welch, Michael, Stockholm, is a son of Michael and Frances Welch, natives of Ire- land, where they died. Michael, jr., was born in Ireland, and when fourteen years of age went to Nova Scotia, where he remained until twenty-one and then went to Boston. In 1841 Mr. Welch came to Stockholm, where he has since resided. He at first settled on a farm of seventy-five acres, but has added to it until now he owns 106 acres, on which he has made improvements. Mr. Welch married in Massachusetts Catherine Kelley, a native of Ireland, by whom he has eight children : Margaret, James, John, Michael, Charley, Patrick, Edward, and William. Mr. Welch is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the G. A. R., Captain Gibson Post. In 1861 Mr. Welch enlisted in the Ninety-second N. Y. Infantry, Company D, and served until the close of the war. During the last two years he was in the Ninety-sixth N. Y. Infantry, Com- pany G.

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 memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 102

Author: Curtis, Gates Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1328

Author: Curtis, Gates
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1328