Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 114

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 114
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 114

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).

Baird, Robert J., Stockholm, was born in Lawrence, N. Y., November 25, 1856. He is a son of Henry Baird, who was born in Ireland in 1826. The latter emigrated to Burlington, Vt., and after two years settled on the farm in Lawrence, now owned by subject. In 1872 he bought an adjoining farm in Stockholm and there spent the re- mainder of his life. Mr. Baird was twice married, first to Margaret Baird, a native of Ireland, by whom he had one son and two daughters. She died in June, 1869, and he married second Sarah J. Robinson, of Madrid, N. Y., who at present resides in Stockholm with her son. Mr. Baird died November 23, 1891. Robert J. was edu- cated in the common schools and is a progressive farmer, owning 265 acres in Stock- holm and Lawrence, and keeping thirty-five cows. He has on his farm two silos, hold- ing fifty tons each. He makes a specialty of breeding improved Chester white swine. In politics he is a Republican, and at present holds the office of assessor. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Winthrop Lodge No. 620, and P. of H. of Winthrop. In 1881 our subject married Etta A. Meacham, a native of Stockholm, and they have one child, Ernest H. Mrs. Baird is a member of the Free Will Baptist church of Fort Jackson, N. Y.

Burnham, G. C., Gouverneur, was born in Macomb, September 26, 1859, and came to his present residence in 1892, where he farms 235 acres of land. In 1883 he married Cynthia Britton, and they have one daughter, Iva. Mr. Burnham's father was Hiram C., and his mother Margaret (Fawcett) Burnham.

Balcome, Elon S., Canton, is one of the representative farmers of the town. He was born in Denmark, Lewis county, N. Y., April 27, 1844, and settled about 1850 in the town of Hermon, and on the farm where he now lives in 1882. He married Han- nah M. Golden, September 4, 1864, and they have had three children : Jane Ann, who died September 7, 1868, aged two months and twenty-two days; Ruth M. ; and Morey J. Elon S. is a son of Jefferson, who married Ruth Morey, both living. They have three children : Morse K., of Baltimore, Md., who married Estelle Lovewell, and has one daughter, Grace, who married Rollin T. Dickenson, by whom she has one child ; Elon S .; and Jane Ann, who married Mahlon Lovewell, and they have one child, Elon J. Lovewell.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 289

Bissell, Ralph, Madrid, was born in Waddington, October 17, 1823. His father, Ezekiel Bissell, was born in Connecticut, and when a young man emigrated to Vermont. In 1805 he came to Waddington, purchased a farin in the wilderness and commenced clearing the farm our subject now owns. He returned to Vermont and married Loris Yale, and then came to his Waddington farm in 1810, where his wife died. They had one child, who died in infancy. He married second Annis Hurlburt, and they had two daughters and three sons. Mr. Bissell was a Whig in politics. His wife was a mem- ber of the Congregational church, which he attended and supported. He and wife are dead. Ralph Bissel was reared on a farm and educated in the St. Lawrence Academy and Wesleyan Seminary. He has always been a farmer, owns 100 acres of land, and keeps a dairy of fifteen cows. He married Mary C., daughter of Daniel Packard, of Madrid, by whom he has had four children : Mary E., Annis H., Frank, and Carrie A. He is a Republican in politics. He and family attend and support the Congregational church.

Barnes, A. N., Gouverneur, was born at Natural Dam, April 14, 1843, and early in life took up carpentering and architecture. He is to-day the leading architect of this part of the county. In June, 1868, Mr. Barnes married Hetty, daughter of Jefferson McIntyre. Mr. Barnes's father was Edwin R. Barnes, and his grandfather Rockwell Barnes. He has designed and built many fine structures in this part of the county, in- cluding the Sherwood & Potter block, Waldorf's block, and the residences of Charles Sherwood, E. T. Beardsley, Walter W. Hall, and Frank Daly. Mr. Barnes enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-third N. Y. Volunteers, in 1864, and remained in service till the close of the war. He has been service commander of the Barnes Post.

Bowen, A. D., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, November 16, 1848. He re- ceived a common school education, after which for from twelve to fourteen years he followed sailing on the lakes. About 1879 he gave up the business and settled down permanently in Ogdensburg in the grocery trade, which he has since successfully fol- lowed. His store is located on New York avenue, west side. Mr. Bowen married in 1874 Annie Kirk, and they have three children, two of whom are girls. Mr. Bowen has served as supervisor for two or three terms and is a staunch Republican in politics. His parents settled here just before the battle of the Windmill. Mr. Bowen is also an active member of the Knights of Fidelity, Sobriety and Integrity.

Ball & Fletcher, Gouverneur .- This representative marble firm was established Feb- ruary 4, 1893. They do all kinds of marble and monumental work and give estimates on all kinds of the same, whether for cemetery or building purposes. F. A. Fletcher is a native of England. He came to America in 1860. In 1881 he married Lily Liberty, and they have two daughters : Pearl and Ruby. Rufus Ball is a native of Germany. He came to America in 1887, and married Maud Lyons in 1891. Both gentlemen are experts in this line and thorough business men.

Boland, William, Waddington, was born in Ireland in 1848, and when a child came to Waddington with his parents, John and Mary Boland, who had a family of three sons and five daughters. Mr. Boland died in Waddington in 1864 and his wife at pres-

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

ent resides in the village. William Boland was educated in the Union Free School of Waddington and started in life a poor boy, first working for William Clark. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 142d N. Y. Infantry, and served for three years. He was at Petersburg, Drury's Bluff, Richmond and many of the most decisive battles. In front of Richmond Mr. Boland lost his left leg, and was wounded in the shoulder pre- vious to this at Drury's Bluff He was placed in the New York Park Hospital, and at the close of the war returned to Waddington, where he found employment with Dal- zell & Reddington in their flax mill. He afterwards engaged with Mr. Harrison in packing shingles, and for three years bought eggs for Dalzell & Rutherford, when he engaged as cook for Capt. W. Murphy, with whom he remained ten years. Mr. Bo- land then engaged in the restaurant business for himself, and has been very successful. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious belief and practice a Catholic, being a member of the church at Waddington.

Blood, Amos, Potsdam, was born in Charleton, Worcester county, Mass., October 24, 1806. The ancestry of this family were English people. The great-grandfather of our subject was Richard Blood, and we find that in 1736 he purchased a tract of 300 acres of land near Charleton of Bellington, one of the original proprietors. Richard second, grandfather of Amos, was born on the homestead in 1746 and always made his home there. He was the father of eleven children, of whom Jacob, father of our subject was the second son. Richard Blood died April 10, 1820. Jacob was born July 9, 1771. In politics he was one of the old Federal party. He married Phoebe Eddy, also a na- tive of Charleton, and they had seven children, of whom our subject is the only one living. Jacob died March 10, 1857, and Mrs. Blood, September 4, 1841, aged sixty- seven years. The early life of our subject was spent in his native town. He worked on the farm and was educated in the public schools. In the fall of 1834 he bought a farm of 125 acres where he followed farming until 1875, when he sold the farm and bought a small place in the village of West Potsdam, where he is now living retired. Mr. Blood is a Republican and has held the office of commissioner of highways three years, assessor two years, and justice of the peace twenty-one years. In 1849 he was elected supervisor and served with great credit two years. He has been twice married. In 1833 he married Electa Blood, a cousin, who died in 1837, leaving one child, Ed- mund, who died. Mr. Blood married second, October 1, 1840, Catherine, daughter of Isaac and Matilda (Gage) Dayton, and they have had six children, five now living : Ze- lia A., widow of Charles O. Owen, killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864; Freeman A., a farmer of Potsdam ; Lefe E., widow of Emmett S. Goodale: Fred G., a journalist and lecturer at Mount Vernon, Ill .; and Elmer E., a cheese manufacturer of Lisbon.

Butler, Ira Daniel, Potsdam, was born on his present farm in Potsdam, June 10, 1859. The grandfather of our subject, Henry, was a native of Massachusetts, born at Pelham. He was the father of six children, two sons and four daughters. William, the oldest son, and father of our subject, was born on this farm October 1, 1822, where he has always made his home. He has never taken any active interest in politics. He was one of the founders of the Methodist church at Potsdam, and has been a trustee and class leader for a great many years. He married in 1852, Sarah Jane, daughter of

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PERSONAL SKETCHES.

Daniel and Sarah (Willis) Morgan of the town of Lawrence, and they have three chil- dren : Mary Jane, wife of Owen Martin of Ogdensburg; William Watson, a teacher of stenography at Yonkers, N. Y .; and Ira D. The whole life of our subject has been spent on this farm. He was educated in the common schools and Potsdam State Nor- mal School, and after leaving school he took up farming, which he has ever since been engaged in. The farm is conducted as a hay and grain farm. It has now 229 acres, and is considered one of the best farms in this section. Mr. Butler is a Republican but has never been on aspirant for public office. He and his family are members of the Methodist church at Norwood. Mr. Butler married, November 27, 1881, Hannah May, daughter of Harry and Mahala (Simmonds) Chittenden of Norwood.

Brodie, James, Gouverneur, was born in Scotland, June 4, 1815, and came to America in 1834. He learned the tailoring trade in Scotland and followed it in America. In 1862 he came to Gouverneur and established his present business. Mr. Brodie has been married twice. His first wife was Helen McGregor, who died in 1854. His second was Eliza Niblock, who died in 1873. He has four children, two by each wife. They are: William Brodie, a farmer; Catherine, who keeps house for her father; Arthur F., who lives iu Kansas City ; and Mrs. Edwin Fow- ler, who lives in Kansas City. Mr. Brodie has been a very successful business man, and has always been identified with the Presbyterian church. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Gouverneur.

Benson, Charles H., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, January 27, 1854. The earliest ancestor we find of this family was Seth Benson, who was a native of Vermont, born in Benson, in 1796. He was the father of eleven children of whom Norman L., father of Charles, was the third son. He was born December 22, 1826, in Vermont, and was only a lad when his parents moved into St. Lawrence county and located. Norman L. took up farming. In 1849 he bought a farm of 180 acres, where he has since resided. He married in March, 1848, Sarah M., daughter of Eli Perry of Colton, and they had ten children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Benson died November 25, 1873. Charles was educated in the common schools and at Potsdam State Normal School, and followed farming. He has here a beautiful home with a farm of 460 acres, devoted to grain and dairying. He has eighty-six head of cattle, six horses and other stock. The milk is sent to the cheese factory. Mr. Benson is one of the supporters of the Universalist church of Potsdam. He married, February 26, 1879, Emma J. Chase of Stockholm, and they had two children : Grace E. and Floyd C. Mrs. Benson died November 3, 1890, and he married second, April 12, 1893, Minnie M., daughter of George and Martha (Rich) Clark of Potsdam. George Clark died in 1877, in the State of Colorado, and Mrs. Clark died in 1875.

Barry, Frank D., Potsdam, was born in Malone, Franklin county, N. Y., in 1834. The father of our subject, James, was a farmer and real estate dealer. The early life of our subject was spent in the town of his birth. He was educated at Franklin Academy, Malone, and was engaged as bookkeeper with Knapp, Durkey & Co. for a while, and for several years was in the office of the Ogdensburg and L. C. Railroad Com - pany at Malone. In 1870 he entered the Farmer's National Bank at Malone as book-

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

keeper and teller, a position he filled until 1878, when he changed to the National Bank of Malone, as teller. In June, 1889, he came to Potsdam to take charge of the People's Bank in this town, filling the office of cashier.

Baker, J. V., Gouverneur, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, and has been en- gaged in the insurance business seventeen years, sixteen of which have been in Gouv- erneur. He represents the leading fire and life insurance companies of the county, and does a large business. Mr. Baker is a prominent Mason, a member of the Odd Fellows, a Prohibitionist, and is treasurer of the Methodist church. His father was John W. Baker, a Quaker preacher, as was also his grandfather. In 1871 Mr. Baker married Louisa E. Harris, and they have three children.

Bixby, George H., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, May 8, 1843. Solomon J., father of our subject, was born in Canton, December 11, 1818, and has been engaged in farming for the past twenty years in this town. He married Rebecca, daughter of Reuben Batchelder, the first Baptist preacher of Potsdam. They had four children, two of whom are living: Lewis, a clerk in a dry goods store in Utica, and George W. The boyhood of the latter was spent in Canton. He was educated in old St. Lawrence Academy, and was twenty years of age when he began work for Dem- ing & Dayton. He was with them twelve years and with Watkins, Rodee & Co. until 1885, when, in partnership with Hosea Bicknall, he established a grocery and provision store in the People's Bank building, which they conducted together for five years, when Mr. Bixby bought out the interest of Mr. Bicknall, and has since conducted it alone. The coal business was established at the same time as the partnership above referred to, and has grown to a yearly dealing of about 1,500 tons. Mr. Bixby is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having reached the thirty- second degree, and a member of Raquette River Lodge No. 213, St. Lawrence Chapter No. 24, and St. Lawrence Commandery No. 28. He married in 1881, Sadie A., daughter of Julius Hand of Potsdam, and they have one daughter, Marian.

Bouck, Gordon, Fowler, was born in Dundas county, Ontario, August 29, 1850, and came to this country in 1870. He learned the trade of blacksmith and carriage maker in Gouverneur, and there settled in Hailesboro, where he has resided sixteen years. In 1880 he married Delia Forsythe and they have two daughters, Addie and Inez. Jacob, grandfather of our subject, was of Mohawk Dutch nationality, and his father, John C. Bouck, was born in Canada. In politics Mr. Bouck is a Republican, and he is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and an adherent of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Bouck is a member.

Burnham, Francis S., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, August 24, 1851, a son of James M. Burnham, who was born in Greenfield, Mass., March 22, 1811, and was only fifteen years of age when his parents moved into St. Lawrence county. His father bought a farm of 156 acres. James was educated in the common' schools, and for a short time taught in Canada, but gave this up and took up farming. His father, Sylvanus, died in 1871, when 101 years, four months and seventeen days old. The old homestead came into the hands of James M. Burnham about 1841, and the farm now consists of 166 acres. He has been three times married: First in October, 1835, to

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PERSONAL SKETCHES

Martha, daughter of Jonathan Buttolph of Potsdam, who died, and he married second, June 19, 1839, Miranda, daughter of Abel Owen of Burlington, Vt., and they had one son, Capt. Collins A. Burnham of Wemore, Nebraska. Mrs. Burnham died May 16, 1840, and he married, November 3, 1840, Hannah, daughter of Francis Gillette of Stock- holm, and they had four children : Martha, married J. S. Buttolph, died July 24, 1883 ; Mary, married J. D. Whitney of Syracuse, died May 12, 1878; Miranda H., married Fred Partridge of Norwood, where she now lives; and Francis S. Mr. James Burn- ham is still living at eighty three years of age. The whole life of our subject has been spent on the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools and at Potsdam State Normal School, and took up farming. He is a member of Potsdam Grange No. 39, and is a Republican. He married in 1873, Angusta, daughter of Isaiah and Electa (Willis) Shields, and they are the parents of one son, James S., now in his seventeenth year.

Barbour, W. J., Ogdensburg, was born in Norfolk, June 14, 1843. He has lived in St. Lawrence county since a child of four vears of age, and has been identified with musical merchandise trade here for the past twenty-six years. He has conducted the leading establishment in Ogdensburg devoted to that important branch of industry for the greater part of that time, but sold his interests to Edgar A. Merrill some months ago, and now attends to the outside trade of the house, his territory consisting of Northern New York, including St. Lawrence, Franklin and Jefferson counties. Mr. Barbour married in 1871, Mary M. Houston, daughter of the late Henry Houston, and they have four children living. He is a member of Ogdensburg Masonic Lodge No. 128, and identified with local and social institutions.

Burtis, S., Gouverneur, was born in Jefferson county, December 15, 1844, and was a farmer until twenty years ago. He ran a hotel for ten years, and has been in the bot- tling business in Gouverneur for twenty years. He is a successful business man and owns the Burtis Block, besides other property. In 1870 he married Ettie Jones, and they have one son, Stephen J., fifteen years of age, who is a promising youth and very popular among a large circle of associates. He is a member of the Baptist church, as is also Mrs. Burtis. Mr. Burtis is a strong Democrat, and a liberal supporter of all laudable enterprises.

Brassard, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, October 11, 1852. He came here in 1865, and after leaving school was employed in several large lumber companies, among them Messrs. Proctor. L. Thompson, and H. & A. Whitney. He then entered the employ of the O. & L. C. Railroad, where he was engaged for eleven years, begin- ning as a brakeman, and finally reaching the position of conductor. Owing to injury received on the railroad he was compelled to leave, and established his present meat business. He married in June, 1881, Mary Paquette. He is a member of St. John the Baptist Society, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Beaman, F. B., De Kalb, was born in Antwerp, October 13, 1855. His father being a farmer, he followed that occupation till 1877, when he came to Richville and em- barked in drug business. In 1880 Mr. Beaman married Ruth A., daughter of Isaac Walker, and they have one son, Daniel W. Mr. Beaman has been a member the Rich-

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

ville School Board since its organization, and has been its president for the past seven years. His father was Ezra Beaman of Westminster, Mass., and his mother Lydia M. Jones of New Hampshire. Some of his ancestors were soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and one of his forefathers was one of the signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence.

Bacheller, Henry A., Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, January 4, 1844. His father, P. L. Bacheller, was a son of Samuel and Sallie (Sanford) Bacheller, who had four sons and three daughters. In 1829 Samuel came to Canton, where he died. P. L. Bachel- ler was born April 16, 1813, in Vermont and came to Canton at the age of sixteen. He married Lovina Perkins, a native of Potsdam, and they have one son and six daughters. After the death of his father, P. L. Bacheller and family, accompanied by his mother, came to the town of Pierrepont and settled. Mr. Bacheller is a Republican in politics. Henry A. was reared on a farm and educated in Potsdam Academy. He has always followed farming, and now owns 200 acres of land, devoted to general farming and dairying. June 11, 1873, Mr. Bacheller married Alice Woodworth, a native of Madrid and daughter of Alanson C. and Mary (Shaw) Woodworth, the former a native of Jef- ferson county and the latter of Vermont. They had two children, of whom only Mrs. Bacheller is living. Mr. Woodworth died in Camden, Oneida county, and his wife is now living in North Carolina.

Amo, George N., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, April 21, 1856. His earlier years were passed in doing odd jobs of whatever he could obtain, and eventually he obtained employment in the O. & L. C. yard, where his energy and perseverance were soon recognized by the officials, who appointed him yardmaster. After serving some time in this capacity Mr. Amo entered the butcher business and dealt in cattle, and after conducting this for a time entered the saloon business, two years ago the 27th of March, 1891. In this he has also been successful and his establishment is largely patronized. Mr. Amo is a prominent member of the C. M. B. A. He married in 1875, Louisa Roots, and they have four children.

Amo, A. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, April 27, 1868. He received a a common school education, after which he followed railroading for several years, and in 1886 assnmed charge of the hotel on Ford street. which he has since so suc- cessfully conducted. Mr. Amo married in 1874 and has a family of five children. His parents are also living at the present writing. He is a prominent member of St. John the Baptist's Society, and is much respected and esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, as well as by the general public.

Abernethy, Arthur W., Madrid, was born on a farm in Madrid, March 4, 1847, a son of Roswell T. Abernethy, who was also a native of this town, born on the same farm in August, 1808. His parents were the first settlers of the town, coming from Vermont, and took up a large tract of land, which has ever since been in the hands of the family. The early life of our subject was spent on the homestead, and he was educated in the common schools. At eighteen years of age he entered the general store of O. C. & J. H. Robinson of Madrid, where he was employed as a clerk until the dissolution of the firm, April 1, 1876. He then became a partner

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PERSONAL SKETCHES.

with O. C. Robinson, under the firm name of O. C. Robinson & Co. This compa- ny existed until March 1, 1890, doing a very extensive and successful business, both mercantile and as stock and produce dealers. On the above date Mr. Robinson re- tired on account of ill health, and Mr. Abernethy has since conducted the business alone, carrying a complete line of dry goods, boots and shoes, crockery, groceries and general merchandise. Mr. Abernethy has always been a Republican, and is a mem- ber of the Madrid Baptist church, of which he is a trustee. He married, April 29, 1879, Margaret, daughter of John Robinson of Huntington, Quebec.

Austin, W. D., Edwardsville, was born in Depeyster, December 18, 1857, and has been engaged in cheese making for eighteen years. In 1887 he entered into partner- ship with J. M. Tann in Edwardsville cheese factory, where they make 125,000 pounds of cheese annually. In 1891 Mr. Austin married Florence E. Brown. He is a Mason, a member of the Chapter, and has been master of the Blue Lodge. He is an active Re- publican and has been chairman of the town committee.

Allen, Dr. Alfred R., Parishville, was born in Nicholville, Franklin county, March 15, 1858. His father was Abel Allen, a native of Peru, Vt., born in 1812, and the father of Abel was a native of England, who came to Vermont in an early day. He was a sailor and spent most of his life on Lake Champlain. Abel was twice married and by his first wife had three children. His second wife was Jane Holt, a native of Clin- ton county, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Allen was for fifteen years engaged in sawmilling in Franklin county, then moved to St. Lawrence county and settled in Stockholm, where he died in 1867, and his wife in 1891. Alfred R. was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy, and at the age of seven- teen was clerk for Charles Whiting of West Stockholm. In 1878 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Cook, and after four years entered the University of Burlington, Vt., from the medical department of which he graduated in 1882. He then came to Parishville, where he has practiced successfully since. In 1884 Dr. Allen married Min- nie A., daughter of Joseph Griswold. He is a Democrat and a member of Amber Lodge No. 398, F. & A. M.

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Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 114

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