Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 103

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 103
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 103

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).

Whitton, I. R., Gouverneur, was born at Smith's Mills, June 7, 1867. His father is a farmer and he lived for some years on the farm. Four years ago he opened a store at Smith's Mills, which he still conducts with marked success. In 1884 he mar- ried Adele, daughter of Earlton Heath. They have three children : Selee, Hazel Belle and Claude. Mr. Whitton's father is George Whitton. His grandfather was James Whitton.

Wood, J. H., Gouverneur, was born in Jefferson county, September 12, 1853. In 1881 he married M. E. Comstock. His father, Andrew Wood, was a native of Scot- land, and came to America when a young man. Mr. Wood is a self-made man, and is much respected by all. He has been collector for several years and occupied other public positions. He owns a fine farm of 168 acres, and carries on dairying and grain raising.

Welch, Sylvester, Ogdensburg, was born in the town of Philadelphia, Jefferson county, March 29, 1842. He received his education in the district schools and early commenced to learn the trade of blacksmith at Oxbow, after the completion of which he came to Ogdensburg in 1875, and has conducted this branch of industry here since that time. He married in 1861 and has four children. Mr. Welch is a descendant of an old American family of Revolutionary antecedents. His great-grandfather was an active participant of these stirring times, as was that ancestor upon the mother's side.

Weston, John R., Potsdam, was born in Canada, March 22, 1863, and came to Mor- ristown, St. Lawrence county, when seventeen years of age. He was educated in Brockville High School, and his first occupation was as a bookkeeper for W. H. Com- stock, of Morristown, a position he held for four years, and for four years traveled for the same firm. In 1889 he came to Potsdam, where he was in partnership with Zenas Clark, jr., in the book and stationery business. They were burned out a year after the establishment of the company, and in 1890 he formed a partnership with Fred-

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

erick A. Wood and occupied the store in the new Ives block. Mr. Weston is a member of Raquette River Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M. ; St. Lawrence Chapter No. 24; and St. Lawrence Commandery No. 28. He has advanced to the thirty-second degree. Mr. Weston married in 1890 Mary J. Lynde, of Gouverneur.

Whitney, Thomas J., Gouverneur, was born in the town of Morley, St. Lawrence county, September 23, 1850, one of five children of Nathan E. and Esther (Stephenson) Whitney. In 1865 Nathan E. removed to Gouverneur and settled, that his four boys might learn the trade of stone cutter. In 1876 the first marble was quarried in Gouver- neur by T. J. Whitney & Bro. T. Whitney went to Rutland, Vt., in 1879, and spent three years there in the employ of the Rutland Marble Company. In 1882 he organized the Whitney Marble Company, and in 1884 organized the St. Lawrence Marble Com- pany, and has been superintendent since that time. They ship marble all over the United States and Canada, and have the largest mill in the region, using sixteen gangs and employing 100 men the year around. T. J. Whitney married in 1872 Alice M., daughter of Benjamin and Selina F. (Bignall) Kinney, of Gouverneur. Mr. Whitney has been a member of the Board of Trustees for eight years, and was president of the Water Commission when the new system of works was constructed. He was also district commissioner of the fourth judicial district of the exhibit of the State of New York at the World's Columbian Exposition.

Veitch, Thomas A., Waddington, was born in Waddington, June 4, 1836. He is a son of Adam Veitch, a native of Scotland, born in 1805, who came to Waddington when fifteen years of age with his parents, Thomas and Isabell (Trumbull) Veitch, who set- tled on a farm where they lived and died. Adam Veitch was educated in Scotland. He married Ann Nesbit, a native of Scotland, by whom he had a family of four chil- dren, of whom three are now living. Mr. Veitch died in 1864, and his wife in 1882. Thomas A. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Wadding- ton. He has always followed farming and now owns 321 acres of land, used princi- pally for dairying, and keeps thirty-five cows. Mr. Veitch married, August 19, 1859, Elizabeth Young, of Waddington, a daughter of Walter Young, of Scotland, who came to Waddington, and here spent most of his life, dying in California. Mr. Veitch and wife have three children : Adam, Angenett, and Walter. Mr. Veitch is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Waddington.

Vanderburg, Fred, Pierrepont, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, May 6, 1836, a son of James and Roby (Knight) Vanderburg, the former a native of Herkimer county, and his wife of Rhode Island. They had four sons and three daughters. In 1837 Mr. Vanderburg and parents came to Pierrepont from Jefferson county, where they lived a number of years. The family afterwards went to Lewis county, where Mr. Vanderburg died in 1869, and his wife in 1853 in Pierrepont. Our subject, Fred Vanderburg, was reared on a farm and has always followed farming, owning now 230 acres of land and keeping twenty-four cows. He has been three times married ; first to Catharine Daniels, of Pierrepont, by whom he had three children : Flora, Kittie L., and L. Luella, who died aged two and a half years. He married second Mary J. Coon, of Pierrepont, and third Josephine Hibbard, a native of Pierrepont, by whom he has

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had five children : Ida, Julia, Maleta, Fred, and Charles H. Mr. Vanderburg is a Demo- crat and has been highway commissioner four years.

Taylor, George F., Waddington, was born in Waddington, April 7, 1821. His father was John Taylor, who was born in Scotland, November 22, 1789, and in 1819 came to Waddington and settled on a farm now owned by his son John. He was a large real estate owner, having at one time about 700 acres of land. He married Isabella Turn- bull of Scotland, born December 15, 1793, by whom he had four sons and two daugh- ters. He was a Whig in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Scotch Presbyterian church. He died May 1, 1843, and his wife February 19, 1883. George F. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Farming has been his life occupation. He resided in Lisbon for a number of years, then came to Wadding- ton and purchased a farm of 112 acres, on which he lived until three years ago, when he removed to the village and his adopted son, Homer Taylor, has charge of the farm. October 30, 1847, Mr. Taylor married Anna, daughter of Andrew Veitch of Wadding- ton. Mr. Veitch came from Scotland in 1818, and lived and died on the farm he set- tled. His wife was Janet Porteous of Scotland, and they had six children, of whom five grew to maturity. Mr. Taylor has always been a Republican in politics. He and wife are members of the Second Reformed Presbyterian church of Lisbon, but at pres- ent attend and support the M. E. church of Waddington. John Taylor, brother of subject was born in Waddington, October 4, 1829. He resides on the old homestead and has 230 acres of land. He married, October 29, 1862, Isabel, daughter of John Hobkirk. Mr. Taylor and wife have nine children, all living. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church.

Thomas, Jolin, Pierrepont, was born in Wales, February 3, 1830, a son of Will- iam, a native of the same place. He married Ann Davis, and they had nine chil- dren. In 1833 they came to Clinton county, N. Y., finally settling in St. Lawrence county, town of Rossie, and later in Pierrepont, on the farm now owned by our subject, where they both died. John was reared on the farin and educated in the common schools. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, and followed general farming and dairying, keeping fifteen cows. In 1857 Mr. Thomas married Helen S. Barker, a native of Moriah, Essex county, born in 1839, daughter of Orrin and Harriet (Potter) Barker, natives of Vermont and Essex county respectively. Mr. Barker died in 1880 and his wife in 1852. Mr. and Mr. Thomas have had three children : Rena, wife of George L. Isham of Colton; William J., a farmer who mar- ried Lena Chaney ; and Orrin B., who lives at home. Mr. Thomas is a Republican.

Tann, J. M., Edwardsville, was born in Jefferson county, October 4, 1856, and was engaged in farming until 1887, when he embarked in the cheese business with W. D. Austin. In 1882 Mr. Tann married Maggie, daughter of M. P. Ehle. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Republican in politics, and has held local office. Mr. Tann's father is William Tann, a prosperous farmer of Edwardsville.

Taylor, D. R., Fowler, was born in England, April 2, 1846, and came to Canada with his parents in 1349, where his father died. In 1868 he came to this country, and has been engaged in farming principally, and has done some mining. In 1876 he married

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Clara, daughter of Chauncey House of Macomb. Mr. Taylor is an ardent Prohibition- ist, and a member of the Methodist church. His children are: Earle, Edmond, Ivan, Nellie and Ormond.

Stone, Oscar O., Parishville, was born in Parisbville, November 16, 1843, a son of Thomas Stone, a native of Ireland, born August 19, 1811, who came to this country and settled finally in Parishville. December 15, 1836, he married Almira Boland, a native of Rutland, Vt., and daughter of William Boland, a native of Scotland, who came to Parishville in 1830, where he died six years later. Mr. and Mrs. Stone had two two children, Oscar O., being the only survivor. Mr. Stone died April 5, 1885, and his wife resides with our subject. Oscar O. was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He follows farming and at present owns 227 acres of land, keeping a dairy of twenty-seven cows. He is a Republican and has always taken an active in- terest in politics. He has been twice married, his first wife being Maria Batty, by whom he had one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Stone died in 1870, and in 1871 he married second Sarah Cowles, daughter of Charles Cowles of Parishville, by whom he has had two children : Maria (deceased), and Lizzie, at home.

Sayer, M., Morristown, was born in Macomb, February 20, 1855, and has followed farming all his life. In 1879 he married Ella Lowes. His father was James, and his mother Jane (Farley) Sayer, both of England. Mr. Sayer is a member of the Fores- ters, an active Republican, and an enterprising business man.

Soper, William, Waddington, was born July 8, 1817. His father, David Soper, was a native of Essex, Vt, and at the age of eight years came to Waddington with his mother and stepfather, his own father dying when he was a child. He bought one of the first farms in what is now Waddington. This farm of 120 acres, said to be the best in the town, is now owned by William Soper. The wife of David Soper was Mary Straiter, of Brockville, Canada, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. Mr. Soper died in February, 1875. Mr. Soper in early life was a farmer and lumber- man. Mr. Soper married Elizabeth, daughter of John Thompson, of England, who came to Waddington when Mr. Soper was six years of age. Mr. Soper and wife have two children : Nancy J., widow of Sidney Monroe (killed in the late Rebellion), and Avilla, wife of Hiram H. Peacock, who at present has charge of Mr. Soper's farm. Mr. Pea- cock was born in Waddington, a son of Matthew Peacock, who came to Waddington from England in 1826, and is now a resident of Waddington village. He married Elizabeth Stearns, of Vermont, and they have had four sons and five daughters. He is a stone mason. Hiram H. Peacock and wife have one daughter, Eva H. He is a member of Waddington Lodge No. 393 F. & A. M .; is a Republican in politics, and a great lover of fine horses, taking pride in having as good if not the best team in the town.

Snyder, John, Heuvelton, was born in Oswegatchie, July 9, 1832. His parents were of Mohawk Dutch descent, who for a time resided in Canada, and afterward at Fort Plain. John received his education in this State, and May 2, 1861, enlisted in the Six- teenth N. Y. Volunteers, and went to Albany. He was transferred shortly afterward to the Sixtieth N. Y. Volunteers, in which he served one and one-half years, at the ex-

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piration of which he entered the Fourteenth N. Y. Infantry, and served two years and eleven months, during which he was taken prisoner at the battle of Petersburg, June 17, 1864, and confined in Libby Prison until May 4, 1865, when he again suc- ceeded in returning to his regiment. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac which occurred during his service, with the exception of the time he was a prisoner, and was also in numerous skirmishes. After the war he returned to Heuvelton and engaged in hotel keeping until within the past few years. since which he has conducted a general store. He married Sarah Moore, of Oswegatchie. John Snyder was a brave soldier, and is an upright, conscientious and energetic business man.

Stowe, Thomas, Morristown, was born in Morristown, October 5, 1847. He and his brother, John H. Stowe, own the old homestead. Their father was Robert Stowe, who came from England and settled here in 1836, and their mother was Johanna (Hayes) Stowe. Thomas married Catherine McPhail, and they have one son, Earle Vincent. The Stowe brothers are well known breeders of Holstein cattle and high grade sheep.

Steinburg, Harvey, Ogdensburg, was born in Dundas county, Canada, June 2, 1851. HIe learned the meat business in that country and located during 1889 in Ogdensburg. May 18, 1892, he moved upon New York avenue where he enjoys a large and first class patronage. Mr. Steinburg married in 1875 Miss McIntosh, of Canada, and they have two sons. Mr. Stemburg has been remarkably successful since coming to Ogdensburg. He is a thorough business man and enjoys the respect and confidence of the public.

Scullin, Nicholas, Potsdam, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, August 11, 1800. His father died when he was quite young, and he came to this country in 1819 with his mother. His mother located in the town of Brasher, where she reared a family of eleven children. Nicholas worked with his brother Felix on the farm until he was twenty-five years of age, and then learned the mason's trade, which he followed in dif- ferent places until 1872. The spring of that year he bought a farm of 146 acres in Potsdam, where he spent the balance of his days. He died February 11, 1892. He married, February 11, 1830, Mary Colligan, and they have had eleven children, eight of whom are living : Mary, wife of Robert Grow, of Brasher ; Felix, a farmer of Pots- dam; John, of St. Louis, is prominently connected with the street railroads of that city ; Henry J., a farmer of Potsdam; James, a contractor of St. Louis; Nancy, of the Convent of the Good Shepard in Chicago; Kate, wife of Henry Loomis, of Mes- sina ; and Eunice, who lives at home. The family are members of the Catholic church at Potsdam. The farm is conducted as a dairy farm, with fifteen cows. Mr. Scullin is a Democrat and holds the offices of collector and constable, and was for tv o years a trustee of schools.

Stanton, Alexander B., Potsdam, was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vt., Sep- tember 25, 1821. The father of our subject, John S., was also a native of Vermont, born in Essex county in 1789 He was a farmer and a member of the Congregational church. He married in 1820 Lucy Hubbell, of Pittsford, Vt., whose father, Oliver Bogue, came to Vermont from Connecticut among the earliest settlers of the State, and

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

was an old Revolutionary soldier. John S. Stanton was the father of four children, three now living : George Franklin, a mechanic and farmer of Westport; Alex B., and a daughter, Mrs. Helen Curren, of Peterboro, Ontario. Mr. Stanton was educated in the common schools, and when seventeen years of age started for himself working for farmers. In the fall of 1849 he came to St. Lawrence county, where he bought a farm of sixty-five acres in Potsdam. Since that time he has increased the size of the farm by purchase of one of five acres and one of forty-eight, making now 110. He has erected a good residence, three large barns and a cheese factory on the place. Mr. Stanton married in 1847 Minerva Baldwin, of Westport, and they had five children : One died at three years of age; Marthesia, wife of John Speed, of Santa Anna, Cal .; Lucy, wife of John Clark; Fred. A .; and Minnie, wife of Fred Hill, of Boston, Mass. Mrs. Stanton died September 7, 1869, and he married second, April 12, 1870, Angeline, daughter of George Thompson, of Potsdam, and they have one daughter, Grace M. Mr. Stanton built a cheese factory in 1878, and sold it in 1882 to D. Frank Ellis; it is now standing idle.

Farmer Brothers, Gouverneur .- This firm conducts one of the leading merchant tailor- ing establishments in this part of the country and their trade extends in every direc- tion outside of Gouverneur, besides their large local custom. The firm is composed of F. A. and H. G. Farmer, the former managing the business and the latter traveling for a New York fur house. Both are natives of Fowler and sons of Francis Farmer of that town. Their grandfather was John Farmer, formerly of Herkimer, and the fam- ily is descended from the Mohawk Dutch. Their mother was Louisa Homer. F. A. Farmer has resided in Gouverneur for thirteen years, during nine years of which he has been in business. He began his mercantile career as a clerk, and learned the art of cutting (in which he excels) with James Brodie, He is recognized as one of the leading business men of the town, and is well and favorably known in social circles, being a Master Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum. In 1883 he married Susan, daughter of Lewis Hale, of Gouverneur, and they have two daughters. Mr. Farmer is an adherent of the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Farmer is a member.

Swift, Norman, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, August 24, 1824. Foster Swift, father of our subject was a native of Vermont, born in Barnard, Vt., in 1796. He was a son of Levi Swift who came to this county in 1805, and moved his family here in March, 1806. He took up a tract of 300 acres where he reared his family. Foster Swift married Nancy, daughter of Jonas Fay of Royalton, Vt., and they have had eight children, three of whom are living: Heman, of Oshkosh, Wis., George, a contractor of Potsdam, and Norman. Foster Swift made his home on this farm until 1838, when he bought a farm about two miles west where he lived until 1856, when he moved to Wisconsin and died in 1868. Our subject was educated in the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade. About four years after he took up mill- wright work, which he followed about eight years, most of the time with Shaw of Glens Falls. He also built the Sissonville mill and a steam mill in Clinton county. In 1850 he bought the homestead farm back and has since increased it from thirty-three to 167 acres, where he has reared his family and still makes it his home. In 1868 he began to take contracts for bridge building, water dams, heavy roofing, and work of

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that class, and has ever since been engaged in the same. He has held the office of highway commissioner, and was town hall commissioner at the time of its erection. January 1, 1851, he married Jane, daughter of Ansel Merritt and Betsey (Howard) Meacham, and they have had seven children, five now living : George H., a farmer and contractor of South Colton ; Marian, wife of Edward C. Batchelder ; Elizabeth J., wife of John L. Brown, a druggist of North Lawrence; Frank M., a surveyor, who makes his home with his parents; and Fred N., who is his father's assistant. This is consid- ered one of the best farms of this section for dairy. Mr. Swift keeps about forty head of cattle and sends his milk to the butter factory.

Sheldon, G. B., Gouverneur, was born on the homestead in Gouverneur, August 24, 1827, he being one of twelve children of Timothy and Nancy (Bowen) Sheldon. The Bowen ancestry were natives of Pawtucket, R. I., as were also the Sheldons. Timothy, the father, came from Pawtucket to Oneida county when a boy with his father, James Sheldon, who came as agent of Brown's tract. He was a native of Pawtucket, born in 1776. The father, Timothy Sheldon, came to Gouverneur in early life and settled on the farm now owned by his descendants, when it was an unbroken wilderness. G. B. Sheldon was married in 1857 to Fedora Babcock, daughter of Perry Babcock, one of the first settlers in Gouverneur. They have one son, Leroy Sheldon, who was born August 25, 1865. After receiving the benefit of the schools of Gouverneur he went to Cornell in 1884 where he spent two years in a special course, including agriculture, dairying, soils, etc., since which time he has been engaged with his father in carrying on the dairy business. They have a fine farm of nearly 400 acres and have a dairy of forty- five cows, making butter exclusively the year around by the latest and most approved methods, using steam power, seperator, etc., their enterprise proving successful to an uncommon degree. They also have a flock of eighty sheep of high grade, their horns being notable for their convenience and adaptability to the requirements of their busi- ness. Leroy G. was married in 1882 to Millicent Pope, daughter of George and Eliza- beth (Soper) Pope, of Morristown. They have two children : Lillian and Percy.

Sellers, George W., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, October 16, 1855, and learned the trade of cabinet making with S. B. Van Duzee. Seven years ago he em- barked in business, starting a general store in Brooklyn, and with much success. Mr. Sellers takes a lively interest in the welfare of Gouverneur, and is one of the village trustees. He married in 1875 and has six daughters. His father, George Sellers, is a respected citizen of Gouverneur and a native of England. Mr. Sellers and family are members of the Methodist church.

Sheldon, E. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Lisbon, St. Lawrence county, March 15, 1859. His earlier years were passed upon a farm, and through earnest work and frugality he gradually succeeded in accumulating sufficient funds to come to Ogdens- burg and enter into the carriage and agricultural business in 1886, since which time he has rapidly increased his connections until last year he sold over $14,000 worth. Mr. Sheldon keeps on hand a full line of carriages, wagons, mowers, reapers, road machines, engmes, plows and binders, hay tedders, and in fact everything in his special line of business, and all of the very best and most improved manufacture. He married in 1886

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and has two children. Mr. Sheldon is a Mason, and is one of Ogdensburg's most re- spected business men and citizens.

St. Germain, Frank, Ogdensburg, was born in Montreal in 1837. For twenty years he has been conducting his present business of boat building. He has a shop and livery at the foot of State street where he has a large supply of skiffs, paddling and sailing canoes, oars, paddles, sails, etc., and also furnishes guides, fishing tackle and minnows to the general public. He was married about thirty-two years ago to Miss E. Lesperance, and they have seven children living. One of his sons, Frank, jr., is a partner in the business. His wife was Libbie Pero, and they have three children.

Stowe, Charles A., Norfolk, was born in Norfolk, October 12, 1823, a son of Chris- topher G. Stowe, a native of Grafton, Mass., where he lived until nineteen years of age. He then went to Vermont with his parents, where his mother died. His father returned to Massachusetts, where he died, Christopher G. was born August 4, 1782. In 1809 he came to Norfolk and a year later contracted for land now owned by Charles A. Mr. Stowe returned to Vermont, and there married, March 30, 1814, Polly Webster, a na- tive of New Hampshire, born August 28, 1784. He then settled on his farm in Nor- folk, and there spent the remainder of his days.' November 4, 1820, he married second Lucretia Dearborn, born January 11, 1784, widow of Asa Lord, by whom she had two children. By his second marriage Mr. Stowe had two sons and two daughters. He served in the War of 1812, was county superintendent of the poor thirteen years, super- visor and overseer of the poor. He assisted in surveying the town of Norfolk. He and his wife were members of the Congregational church, of which he was forty years a deacon. He died September 12, 1859, and his wife May 19, 1843. Charles A. Stowe was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Norfolk. He taught school for a short time, and at the age of twenty-three went to California, then spent four years traveling in this country and South America. He then engaged in farming and dairying, owning now 105 acres. October 9, 1851, he married Mary L. Kimball, a native of Norfolk and daughter of Amos and Hannah (Poor) Kimball. Mrs. Kimball was a native of Vermont, born in 1800. Mr. Stowe and wife have one adopted daugh- ter, Emma L., wife of Elbert Hack. Mr. Stowe is a Republican, and has been high- way commissioner and overseer of the poor. He and wife are members of the Congre- gational church at Norfolk, of which Mr. Stowe has been deacon twelve years.

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Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 103

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