Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 108

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 108
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 108

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).

Lalone, G. A., Gouverneur, was born in Lisbon, June 4, 1872, and came to Gouver- neur in 1890. He has been in business at Natural Dam two years. He was previously engaged in clerking. Mr. Lalone is a young man of superior business attainments, and is deputy postinaster at Natural Dam. He and his brother, now of the firm of Lalone & Storie, have been in partnership for some time.

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Livingston, James N., Stockholm, was born in Crown Point, June 23, 1825. He is a son of William Livingston, a native of Massachusetts, who, when a mere child, went to New Hampshire with his parents. He was educated in Middlebury College, and at the age of fifteen years went to New York city. He was a noted grammarian and as- sisted in revising one of the text books on that subject, and also introduced the ele- mentary system of teaching grammar in New York State. Lucy Chatterton, of Ac- worth, N. H., became his wife, and they had nine children. In a very early day Mr. Livingston emigrated to Crown Point, being one of the first settlers. Here he resided about sixteen years, and March 19, 1836, came with a team to Stockholm, being four days on the way. He settled on the farm now owned by William Livingston, and here lived and died. In politics he was a Democrat. He and wife were members of the Con- gregational church, but for the last fifteen years of his life he was a member of the M. E. church. He died January 25, 1863, and his wife April 14, 1877. Subject of sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Potsdam Academy. He was a boatman when a young man and followed it on Lake Champlain. He afterwards worked on the Rutland and Burlington Railroad. He was engaged in the mercantile business at Bicknellville four years with Frank B. Peck and three years with J. B. Pal- mer. He owns 192 acres of land, follows general farming and dairying, and keeps twenty-two cows. Mr. Livingston is a Republican, and has served as assessor for eleven years. In religion he and family are liberal. His wife was Sarah M. Covey, a native of Stockholm, and they have one adopted daughter, Mary I., at home.

Lytle, David, Lisbon, was born in 1816. He is a grandson of W. Lytle, who, to- gether with his son, James J. Lytle, the father of our subject, settled in Lisbon near the Centre in 1801, where they took up 500 acres of land, which is still in the possession of David and his brother Andrew, the surviving members of the Lytle family, which originally consisted of three sons and six daughters. David Lytle is a most energetic, influential and prominent property owner and capitalist, and exerts considerable influ- ence in the material welfare of this town. He has never married and lives on the old homestead with his brother Andrew.

Liddell, James, Lisbon, was born in Waddington, June 4, 1835. His father, James Liddell, sr., was a native of Scotland, who came to this country and followed the occu- pation of merchant tailoring and farming. In 1870 subject of sketch purchased an ex- cellent farm of 105 acres near Ogdensburg, upon which he has since lived, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married in 1861 Jennett Graham, by whom he had seven children : James Henry, William Thomas, Alex D., and four daughters, who married gentlemen prominent in business and social circles in this county. Mr. Liddell has al- ways been a prominent factor in local affairs, and is a gentleman of sterling worth and superior abilities. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all.

Losee, William, Morristown, was born in Morristown, May 24, 1858, and has followed farming all his life. In 1881 he married Estella, daughter of Henry Butrick, of Ham- mond, and they have three children : Leon, Lena, and Florence. Mr. Losee is an act- ive Democrat and prominent on the town committees. He is also a member of the Foresters. Theodore Losee, his father, was one of the leading men of his day in this town.

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PERSONAL SKETCHES.

Leete, Asa H. (deceased), Potsdam, was born in Essex, Essex county, August 31, 1825, a son of Asa Leete and Hannah Randall, natives of Vermont. Our subject was the oldest son of a family of ten children. He was nine years old when the family moved to St. Lawrence county and located in Potsdam, where the boyhood of our sub- ject was spent. He was educated in the common schools and assisted on his father's farm until he was married in 1851. His wife was Samantha, daughter of Elisha Brad- ish, a farmer of Norfolk. After his marriage he bought a farm where he made his home for a short time, and in the spring of 1854 bought the farm of 8713 acres, which was his home at the time of his death, January 6, 1881. His widow and four chil- dren survive him : Herbert W., who conducts the farm : Lida E., of Potsdam; Elva L., wife of Charles I. Bailey, of Potsdam ; and Vila E., who lives at home. In the death of Mr. Leete the community has lost a good citizen.

Lalone, J. H .. Gouverneur, was born in Lisbon, January 22, 1864. He has been a cheesemaker in several places, and finally embarked in mercantile business. He came to Gouverneur in 1891, and with his brother established a busines at the Natural Dam. In 1893 Mr. Lalone came into the village and formed a partnership with T. D. Storie in the grocery business, retaining his interest in the business with his brother. Mr. Lalone is a prominent Mason, passed to the Commandery. His father was Hugh, as was also his grandfather, who was a native of Canada.

Lawyer, A. D., De Kalb, was born in Macomb, December 15, 1842. He was a farm- er's son, and followed agriculture till 1861, when he enlisted in the Sixtieth N. Y. Cav- alry, Company B, and served four years in Virginia and with Sherman. After the war he followed farming for twenty years, and during the past seven years has been en- gaged in milling. Mr. Lawyer married Persis M. Murton, and they have three chil- dren : Albert B., Gertie and Merton. The family has resided in Richville about seven years.

Lindsay, William P., Colton, was born in West Poultney, Vt., September 21, 1840, a son of Rufus H. Lindsay, a native of Vermont, born in 1797, who married Julia Potter of the same State, and had three sons and three daughters. He was a blacksmith, and died in Colton in 1866. He served in the War of 1812 and his widow drew a pension for his services. William P. was reared in West Poultney, and educated in the com- mon schools and the West Poultney Seminary. He also learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for many years. September 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Ninety-second N. Y. Infantry, serving till the close of the war. He was transferred to the Ninety-sixth Regiment later, and from which he was mustered out. He was a par- ticipant in the following battles: Kingston, Fort Anderson, and also many skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Fort Anderson, July 12, 1863, and held until November, 1864. He was present at the taking of Richmond and was held prisoner at Gouldsboro as hostage; then at Richmond on Belle Island, and at Andersonville ; then at Savannah and Milan, where he was released. At the close of the war he returned to Colton, then went to Rockford, Ill., and spent three years hunting on the plains and acting as guide. His health failing he returned to New York and settled in Potsdamı. After re- siding there two years he came to Colton, where he has worked at his trade and also as

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

guide. In 1879 Mr. Lindsay erected the Lindsay House at South Colton, of which he has since been proprietor. In 1866 he married Bridget Linney, daughter of Henry Lin- ney, of Potsdam, and they have had five children : Delia, Edwin, Arthur, Sylva, and John (deceased). Mr. Lindsay is a member of High Falls Lodge, F. & A. M., also of Wait Post, G. A. R., and an Odd Fellow of Potsdam.

Lavack, Alexander, Gouverneur, was born in Canada, February 15, 1834. He came to the United States in 1844, and has resided on his present farm ever since. He owns 110 acres of fine dairy land. In 1858 Mr. Lavack married D'Anise Lewar, and they have three children : Alexander, George, and one daughter, Mrs. Reynolds, of Depauville.

Lynde, Elliot, Gouverneur, was born in Rossie, January 3, 1832. He was a mechanic by trade, but has been a farmer for many years and has acquired a great deal of prop- erty. In 1852 he married Nancy Gleason, and they have seven children : C. B., J. C., H. C., E. W., Clara, Alice, and Mary.

Lyman, James W., Colton, was born in Colton, October 18, 1839, a son of R. K. Ly- man, whose father was Asa Lyman, an early settler of this county, who was drowned in the Missouri River. R. K. Lyman was born in Potsdam in 1817, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twelve years came to Colton. He married Mary A. daughter of Abram Russell, and they had five children, of whom three sons are living. Mr. Lyman died in 1871, and his widow lives in Colton. James W. was educated in the common schools and engaged as clerk for C. W. Gibbs of Ogdensburg until the war broke out, when he enlisted, but was rejected. He then spent seven years as clerk for O. N. Hall of Colton and worked in a tub factory at Parishvil'e three years. Since 1883 Mr. Lyman has been engaged with Cook & Hawley of this town. July 4, 1865, he married Amelia E., daughter of Calvin Fuller of Colton, and they have two children : Ina, aged nineteen years, and Ida, aged fourteen. Mrs. Lyman and daugh- ters are members of the Episcopal church, of which Mr. Lyman is vestryinan.

Laving, Andrew, jr., of Helana, Brasher, was born July 27, 1845, a son of Andrew and Clarrisa (La Dean) Laving, natives of Canada, the former born August 20, 1812, and the latter December 20, 1821. Both are now living. They had thirteen children, nine surviving. Our subject was the fifth, and has been a farmer all his life. March 2, 1867, he married Mary Dow, born July 7, 1843, and they had three children, all of whom died young. His wife was a daughter of John and Mary (Laforsed) Dow, and was born in Hogansburg, Franklin county, the fourth of eleven children. Her family are both natives of Quebec. Mr. Laving has a fine farm of fifty acres, is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Catholic church.

Knapp, Moore B., Stockholm, born in Stockholm, January 18, 1832, is a son of Moses Knapp, whose father, John, was a native of New Hampshire, and there married and reared a family of five sons. Later he settled about a mile east of Bicknellville, N. Y. He died at Knapp's Station, in 1840. Moses Knapp was born in New Hampshire, and when a young man came to Stockholm with his parents. In 1828 he married Rachael, daughter of Peter Brasee, an early settler of Stockholm. In 1828 Mr. Knapp settled

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PERSONAL SKETCHES.

at what is now known as Knapp's Station, which was named in his honor. He was a farmer, owning 250 acres of land. In early life he was a Whig, but during the last thirty years of his life he was a Democrat. He was a member of the Masonic lodge of Potsdam, and he and wife were Universalists. Mrs. Knapp died in 1840, and Mr. Knapp married second Julia Wetmore of Norfolk. Mr. Knapp died December 24, 1884. Moore B. Knapp was reared on a farm until nineteen years of age, and was educated in the common schools and in St. Lawrence Academy. He taught school for a time, and then for three years engaged as a clerk for Hitchins & Hall of Raymondville. In 1857 he came to Knapp's Station and erected the store building, which he now occu- pies. Here he has since, with the exception of eleven years, been engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business. In 1868 he built a steam saw mill and for eight years did a successful business. He also owns and carries on a farm of 100 acres. In 1857 Mr. Knapp married Louise D. Hale, a native of Norfolk, and daughter of Ira Hale. They had one daughter, Carrie A. Mrs. Knapp died in 1865, and in 1867 Mr. Knapp mar- ried Lucinda B. Berry, a native of New York, and they had two children : Edwin R. and Gertrude. Mrs. Knapp died in 1880. Mr. Knapp is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of What Cheer Lodge No. 689, F. and A. M., of Norwood, and I. O. O. F. of Norfolk. He is a member of the Congregational church of Norwood.

Keenan, William L., Madrid, was born in Bombay, Franklin county, October 18, 1857. John Keenan, father of our subject, was a native of this county, born in the town of Brasher in 1822. He was a farmer and owned 153 acres in his native town. In 1847 he married Mary M. Howe, a native of Vermont, born in 1830. They were the parents of seven children, three still living : May E., wife of E. T. Fletcher of Tup- per Lake ; Ann Eliza, wife of E. W. Shepard of Lawrenceville; and William L. John Keenan died in January, 1868 ; Mrs. Keenan still survives him. The boyhood of our subject was spent in the town of Brasher. When he was ten years old his parents moved into the town of Lawrence, and it was in the common schools of that town and Lawrenceville Academy he was educated. In his fourteenth year he started as an apprentice in the blacksmith shop of Israel Dupee at Lawrenceville. He was employed by the day at his trade for seven years. In 1878 he established a shop in Madrid, which he conducted until the fall of 1889, when he gave up the business on account of lame- ness. October 18, 1889, he bought a half interest in the hardware store and tin shop of Bartholomew & Bullard, established in 1886. The firm of Bullard & Keenan now carry a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, and are agents for the Buckeye mowers and reapers, Champion horse rake, the Mann seeder, and also dealers in harrows, plows and all other agricultuaal implements. Since the founding of the above company their business has grown to extensive proportions, and they are to-day the leaders in the trade of this section. Mr. Keenan married in 1887, Nellie A., daughter of John Taylor, a native of England, who for many years was engaged in farming and the butchering business in Madrid.

Kennedy, William L., Waddington, was born in Ireland, November 12, 1852. His father, Hugh, was born in Ireland in 1813, where he was reared and educated. He mar- ried Jane Toins, by whom he had seven sons and three daughters. In 1858 he came with his family to Morrisburg, Canada, and after eight months removed to Wadding-

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

ton and purchased fifty-six acres of land now owned by William L. After fifteen years Mr. Kennedy added fifty acres to his first purchase and here he spent his life, dying in the village, October 19, 1891. His widow now lives in Waddington village. William L. was reared and educated in Waddington and early in life learned the shoemaker's trade and carried on a very successful business in Waddington two years. In 1883 he purchased the old homestead and has been a resident since 1885. L. Robella, daughter of Robert Brown of Waddington, became his wife, November 20, 1878. Mr. Kennedy is a Republican in politics and has always been a temperance man, never having used liquor in any form. He has been a member of various temperance organizations, and he and wife are Presbyterians. Mr. Kennedy was Sunday school superintendent one year, secretary and treasurer five years and librarian seven years.

Killmer, John, Gouverneur, was born in Washington county, August 5, 1824, and came to Gouverneur in 1834. He has been connected with farming part of his life, but is now living retired. His active life has been spent chairmaking and painting. January 7, 1852, Mr. Killmer married Sarah McKane, and they have two children John P. and Ellen W., wife of A. S. Coates. Mr. Killmer was trustee of the village seven years and excise commissioner five years.

Kelsey, Delos D., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, [December 6, 1815, a son of Sidney Kelsey. Our subject received a good education, and has made farming a life occupation. He owned a farm upon the site of part of the village of Winthrop, and it is due Mr. Kelsey to say that it was through his efforts that the village was built. He is now the oldest settler living in the place. His first wife was Harriet Cook, by whom he had one child, Weltha. His second wife was Nancy Perrine, by whom he had four children, two of whom are living : Emma and Eva. His last wife was Annie Groves, a native of Stonnont county, Canada, and the only survivor of five children born to John and Rachael (McLaughlin) Groves. Mr. Groves died in 1858, and his wife Feb- ruary, 1891. Mr. Kelsey is a Republican, and has always taked au active part in poli- tics. He is a member of Brasher Lodge N. 541, F. & A. M., and of the P. of H., Win- throp Lodge. He and wife are members of the Universalist church, of which they have been very liberal supporters.

Kirby, Reynold Marvin, Potsdam, was born in Brownville, Jefferson county, April 6, 1844, a son of Col. Edmund Kirby of the U. S. A., and grandson of Gen. Jacob Brown and Judge Ephraim Kirby. He graduated at Hobart College, Geneva, in 1865, and taught school for a year at Bath, then entered the General Theological Seminary at New York city, graduating in 1869. He was ordained deacon at Mount Morris, May 23, 1869, and priest at Christ church, Albion, August 21, 1870, by Bishop Coxe. He was rector at Albion from 1869 to 1871, and was assistant minister of St. Mark's cathe- dral, Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1871 to 1882. He has been rector of Trinity church, Potsdam, from 1882 to the present date.

Kennedy, Martin, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, June 4, 1832. His parents settled in this country about 1820 and were engaged in agricultural pursuits. Martin entered the hardware establishment of Allen Chaney & Co, as clerk, where he re- mained three years, then for thirteen years he was identified with the dry goods store

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PERSONAL SKETCHES.

of T. B. Jomes. After this Mr. Kennedy established a grocery store in Clayton and conducted it for five years, and after disposing of this he returned to Ogdensburg and established a grocery store on the west side, which he kept for four years. Since that time Mr. Kennedy has followed the auctioneering business most successfully. Mr. Kennedy has served as inspector of elections and in other capacities. He married in 1860 Ellen H. Marshall and they have five children living, three girls and two boys.

Kegle, M., Ogdensburg, was born in St. Johns, Canada, September 29, 1836. He learned the trade of merchant tailor in that place, and conducted this branch of mer- cantile industry for some years prior to coming to Ogdensburg. He came here May 4, 1885, engaged in the same business, and gradually extended his connections and patron- age, until he conducts one of the leading merchant tailoring and men's furnishing estab- lishments located on Ford street. Mr. Kegle has been twice married. His first wife was Julia Lucier, to whom he was married when seventeen years of age. His second and present wife was Pamelia Carom. Mr. Kegle has eight children.

Kelley, J. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, February 14, 1865. He came to Ogdensburg about 1870, and was for twelve years a valued employee at Colnan's mills. He was also identified with Ramsey's for four years. About two years ago Mr. Kelley established a grocery business which has proved entirely satisfactory. He married, in 1889, Maggie McDonald of Ogdensburg, and they have a son and a daughter.

Kelly, James, Hermon, was born in Canton, December 17, 1832. He began to learn the blacksmith's trade at the age of eighteen, following it for twenty-five years. He spent some time in Greenwood Valley, Eldorado county, Cal., and from September, 1852, till 1855, he was engaged in mining on the North Fork of the American River. In 1856 he established his business in Hermon, and it became the James Kelly Wagon Company in 1890, with Mr. Kelly as superintendent. In 1857 he married Mina Burnham, and their children are : Mrs. O. H. Farnsworth, Frank B. and Maude. Mr. Kelly is a prominent Mason.

Johnson, James O., Brasher, was born in Brasher, January 26, 1851, a son of Isaac and Orvie (Freeman) Johnson. Isaac was the son of William and Catharine (Little) Johnson of Vermont, who came here and settled about 1812. Ashley Freeman, mater- nal grandfather of our subject, was also one of the pioneer settlers of the town, and died November 9, 1892. James O. Johnson was reared on a farm, and now owns a fine farm of 112 acres, highly cultivated. He was married, November 23, 1878, to Leona Clark, born March 23, 1848, a daughter of William and Hannah (Dickenson) Clark, natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children : Arthur L., born January 22, 1881; Clark F., born June 14, 1882 ; and Bruce M., born September 4, 1885. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Good Templars.

Johnson, Abner A., Gouverneur, was born in Jefferson county, February 3, 1831, and was a farmer's son. He has been in business twenty-five years, sixteen of which have been in Spragueville. He married Lydia Glazier, May 29, 1853, and they have two children : Dewitt Clinton, who is engaged in the tea business in New York; and

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Mrs. James W. Elliot of Montreal. His first wife died and Mr. Johnson married Caro- line Collins and their children are: Leslie A. and Grace B. Mr. Johnson was super- visor of Fowler two terms, and is an active Republican.

Joyce, James, Potsdam, was born near Belfast, Ireland, October 24, 1820, and was only two years of age when his parents immigrated to this country. Hugh Joyce, his father, first settled in Waddington, working for Judge Ogden about six years, accept- ing as part pay about thirty-five acres on the Ogden tract in Potsdam, which he settled on, adding by purchase, until at one time he owned 240 acres. He was a Republican, and married in Ireland when about eighteen years of age, Charlotte Welworth, also a native of Ireland, and they had six children : Alexander, died May 7, 1892, in Potsdam, aged seventy-four years; John, a farmer of Madrid; Abigail, wife of John Bardon of Dakota; Jemina, wife of Isaac McCarthy of Madrid; Hugh, a mechanic of Canton ; and James. His father died March 3, 1868, and his mother December 15, 1887. The whole life of our subject was spent in the town. He worked for farmers three or four years, and in 1849 went to Wisconsin, from where the next spring he went the over- land route to California. This being the time of the first discovery of gold, Mr. Joyce mined and speculated for seven years. Returning here in 1857, he settled on his farm of 150 acres, where he has ever since made his home. Mr. Joyce is a staunch Repub- lican and an honest, upright citizen. He married in 1859, Agnes, daughter of Thomas Philpot, a farmer of Potsdam, and they had six children, two died in infancy. A son, Melvin, eighteeen years old, was drowned in an inland lake in Michigan, September, 19, 1880. The others are: Emma, wife of Thomas Fisher, a farmer of Madrid: Min- nie, wife of John R. Dawson, a manufacturer of Philadelphia; and William R., who assists on the homestead farm. Mr. Joyce and family are members of the Methodist church at Buck's Bridge.

Irish, Jesse C., Colton, was born in Milton, Chittenden county, Vt., December 4, 1822, a son of Smiton and Thankful (Reynolds) Irish, the former a native of Vermont, born in 1777, and she a native of the same place, born in 1781. They came to Colton in 1841 and settled in South Colton, where Mr. Irish lived just one year after his arrival. His wife died in 1846. Mr. Irish was a blacksmith, and was the father of thirteen children, three now living. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Vermont, where he lived and died, and he married Dolly Irish. Their son, Jesse C., started out at the age of eleven years to make his own way. He commenced work on a farm, and at the age of eighteen he, in company with his brother James, came to Colton, where they bought a farm, erected a log house and barn, and began clearing the land. Success attended their efforts and they soon increased their possessions to 220 acres. Early in life they entered mercantile business at South Colton, and continued until the death of James, July 31, 1884, since which time Jesse has carried on business in his own name. Mr. Irish married in Colton, Adaline Irish, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Luther Irish, of the same place, one of the early settlers of Colton. He died here in 1886, and his wife still survives him at the age of ninety years. Mr. and Mrs. Irish have had five children : Sumner D., who married in Michigan and has two chil- dren, Maria and Rex; Inez, wife of Antoine Campbell, who has three children, Mary, Sumner and Benjamin ; Lottie, who was the wife of Clarence Phailings, who died in

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1889, and by whom she has one child, Mildred; Jesse, now at home; Malcomb E., who died, aged two years. Mr. Irish is a Republican and has been justice of the peace three years.

Johnson, J. E., Canton, is known by almost every one in St. Lawrence county. He is a gentleman of warm social instincts and possesses those generous traits of character, in a marked degree, which make men popular in public life. He was born in Rossie, this county. His grandfather, Caleb Johnson, came from Connecticut to Northern New York about 1827. Mr. Johnson's father, John, lost his life in the late war. In 1873 our subject finished a course of study in the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, and then became assistant postmaster of Canton for four years under W. R. Remington. In 1880 he received an appointment as clerk in the county clerk's office at Canton. Two years ago last January his ability led to his appointment as deputy county clerk, and in this position Mr. Johnson has shown himself master of the details of official life, the books and papers that come under his careful scrutiny being models of neatness and accuracy. There are thirty-one towns in this county, and seven persons constantly in service in the clerk's office. Of course much of this work is under the direct super- vision of Mr. Johnson. He served seven years in the Canton fire department, and though still a young man is serving as president of the village. The prince of good fellows socially, he possesses yet a vast amount of nerve and determination, which com- mand the respect of the lower classes. He is a man of unusual abilities, and has an exceptional official career for a man of his age. He is much liked in Canton and throughout St. Lawrence county. He is an active Mason, and a member of Canton Consistory and the Media Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Watertown.

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Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 108

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