Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 67

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 67
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 67

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CARLTON E. SANFORD.

CARI.TON E. SANFORD was born in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county, December 31, 1847. He is a son of Hon. Jonah Sanford, who by his own energy, business sagaeity, and native ability beeame one of the prominent men of this county. He was hon- ored with various publie offiees; was supervisor of his town for many years, and member of the Legislature in 1874 and again in 1875.

His father, Col. Jonah Sanford (grandfather of Carlton E.) was one of the early set- tlers of the eounty, a man of fine presenee, great native ability and indomitable will.

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Without schooling, by intense application and study, he became a law practitioner of considerable note, member of the Legislature in 1829, member of the Twenty-first Congress 1829-31, filling out the unexpired term of Silas Wright, brigadier-general of the State militia, colonel of the 92d Regiment N. Y. State Volunteers, which he raised and organized in 1861 and took to the seat of war on the James River.

The children of Jonah 2d were Carlton E., Silas H., now living on the homestead, Herbert J., a resident of Parishville, and Alice C., who married L. C. Shepard.

Carlton E. remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one, aside from the time spent at school at Lawrenceville Academy and one term at St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam. In the fall of 1869 he entered Cornell University, class of ' 73. He only completed his sophomore year, getting an honorable discharge. In August, 1871, he entered the law office of Tappan & Erwin, at Potsdam, as a student, and graduated from the Albany Law School in 1873. He again entered the office of Tap- wan & Erwin where he remained as clerk till December, 1874, when the law firm of Swift & Sanford was formed. In the summer of 1876 the firm by mutual consent was dissolved, and Mr. Sanford continued the practice of law alone at Potsdam till June, 1888, when the firm of Swift & Sanford was again formed. This firm continued till the summer of 1892, when, owing to Mr. Sanford's outside business engagements, it was amicably terminated. Since then his law practice is principally confined to that of attorney for the business enterprises with which he is connected.

Mr. Sanford is a staunch Republican in politics, and has always taken an active part in political matters. He has never been a candidate for, nor sought office. However, in 1888, his Assembly District presented him as a delegate to the National Republican Convention, but he was beaten in the Congressional Convention after a two days' contest, getting the compliment of alternate delegate. In 1892 he was again presented and this time elected delegate.

As a lawyer Mr. Sanford has the reputation of being careful and painstaking in his work, conservative in counsel and diligent in his attention to his duties. His work is principally as counsel and office work, not liking the trial of actions. In the case of Riggs against Palmer, which he brought, the principle of law, that a beneficiary under a will who takes the life of his benefactor for the purpose of coming into pos- session of the property, cannot take as devisee or as heir, was first brought out and established in our jurisprudence. Judge Leslie W. Russell was counsel in the case and argued it-Mr. Sanford only claiming credit for conceiving the principle and bringing the action.

Interwoven with his practice of the law Mr. Sanford has written a good deal for the local press on political, municipal and other matters. As a writer his style is easy and clear.

He was treasurer of the Raquette Valley and St. Regis Valley Agricultural and Hor- ticultural Society for eight consecutive years, from 1881 to 1888. For the year 1889 he held the presidency of the society, and was re-elected, but declined the position. He contributed by his zeal and energy much to the success which the society achieved during those years.

Mr. Sanford takes great pride in his village and in all that tends to its development and the prosperity of its people. In all public matters and movements he takes an active part, and is in every sense a public spirited citizen. In the movement to put in a system of public sewers and drains, which was done in 1886, he took an earnest

BIOGRAPHICAL.

interest and aided materially by voice and pen in its accomplishment. He never ceased his efforts until it was an accomplished fact.

In 1889 he was the chief factor in the organization of the People's Bank, a very successful and promising institution, an account of which is given herein. He be- came its president on its organization and still holds that position.

In 1890 he conducted the movement which resulted in the organization of the Pots- dam Savings, Loan and Building Association, and aided in its establishment. The association has met with great success. Mr. Sanford has been its attorney from the start.

He also assisted in the organization of the Thatcher Manufacturing Company, be- ing one of its promoters and directors. He was one of the principals in the organi- zation of the Raquette River Paper Company, an enterprise of some magnitude, hav- ing a weekly pay-roll of over $700, and serves as its vice-president and attorney. He was also secretary of the High Falls Sulphite Pulp and Mining Company, the works of which are at High Falls in the town of Canton, from the organization of the company in June, 1892, till January 1, 1894. He is a director in the Potsdam Milk-Sugar Company, and acts as its attorney. In addition, he is sole executor of his father's will and has had entire management of his estate.

In all of these various positions Mr. Sanford has displayed exceptional business ca- pacity, and won the confidence and respect of the community. He has ever shown an active public spirit, and few men have contributed more for the advancement and general prosperity of Potsdam.

Mr. Sanford married, December 21, 1893, Miss Frances G. Merritt, daughter of George Merritt, of Auburn, N. Y.

GEORGE W. SISSON.

GEORGE WING SISSON was born at Glens Fall, Warren county, N. Y., December 19, 1828, son of James Sisson, a merhant of Glens Falls, one of the earliest in mercantile business in that town, and is of English descent. His ancestors on his father's side settled on the Island of Nantucket and ncar New Bedford, Mass., at an early date. Upon his mother's side, whose name was Gulia Elma S. Wing, he is descended from John Wing, who came to America in the ship William Francis, arriving at Boston, June 5, 1632, and resided in Sandwich near Cape Cod, Mass.

George W. Sisson lived with his parents in Glens Falls until his nineteenth year, receiving his education at the Glens Falls Academy, after which he lived with a lead- ing merchant of Schenectady, N. Y., in the capacity of clerk. In the spring of 1849 he started in the general drug business at Coxsackie, N. Y., an active town on the Hudson River, remaining there eleven years and building up a lucrative business. In 1860 he removed to Glens Falls, N. Y., and there established a large and success- ful drug and mercantile business, which he sold January 1, 1867, for the purpose of locating at Potsdam, N. Y., in the manufacture of lumber, having purchased a half interest in the saw mill property known as the Pomeroy & Pierson mill. This mill was at once replaced with a large new mill and a large planing mill was built and equipped, and the manufacture of lumber projected on a large scale. The mill prop-

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

erty with its hamlet of tenement houses, shops, etc., became widely known as Sisson- ville. In the business reverses of 1873 Mr. Sisson met with financial disaster. Mr. Augustus Sherman, a wealthy lumber manufacturer of Glens Falls, N. Y., joined Mr. Sisson in business January 1, 1875, their firm being called The A. Sherman Lumber Co., of Potsdam, N. Y., Mr. Sisson being the resident and active managing partner. Mr. Sherman died in the fall of 1884, and January 1, 1886, his grandsons, William R. and Frederic A: Weed, succeeded him in the copartnership. The A. Sherman Lumber Co. has become owner of large tracts of timber lands, and their business one of the most extensive in Northern New York, to which has been added a steam saw mill at Tupper Lake village, Franklin county, N. Y., to utilize a portion of their timber. This mill is connected with the Mohawk and Malone Railroad.

Mr. Sisson was one of the projectors, and largely instrumental in establishing the Raquette River Paper Company of Potsdam, and is its president. The plant is situ- ated on the Raquette River, three miles north of Potsdam village and near the line of the R. W. and O. R. R., and is of the most modern construction for the production of both ground wood and chemical pulp or fiber, by the sulphite process, and the man- ufacture of news, book, and wood manilla papers.

Mr. Sisson has been an active Republican, but in no sense a politician. He has de- voted his life and energies to business pursuits, compelling success. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church and liberal in its support, as he is to all home enter- prises. He married in 1854 Sarah A. Hamilton, who was born in Kingston, Ulster county, N. Y. They have six sons and two daughters, all of whom are of age and several of them are heads of families, and prominent citizens of Potsdam.

LOUIS HASBROUCK.

LOUIS HASBROUCK was born in Ogdensburg, June 5, 1840, and is a scion of one of the oldest families of St. Lawrence county or of the State. The family originally came from Hazebrouck, France, in 1675, and settled in Ulster county. Mr. Has- brouck's father and grandfather were both eminent members of the New York bar, and his grandfather, Louis Hasbrouck, was the first county clerk in St. Lawrence county. The Hasbroucks have long been noted for their superior intelligence and success in life, and they have done not a little towards making the history of St. Law- rence county. Mr. Hasbrouck early in life commenced the study of the profession in which his father and his grandfather had distinguished themselves, and began the study of law in the office of Brown & Spencer, in March, 1859, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. He then formed a law partnership with Judge Brown, which con- tinued from 1865 to 1870, in which year Judge Brown died. Since that date Mr. Has- brouck has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession without a partner, and is recognized as one of the ablest lawyers of the county. He is also intimately connected with the commercial and financial affairs of Ogdensburg. He is a director in the St. Lawrence Wholesale Grocery Company, director and secretary of the Ogdensburg Transit Company, director and secretary of the Ogdensburg Terminal Company, director and secretary of the Saratoga and St. Lawrence Railroad Com-

Louis Hadneed

BIOGRAPHICAL.

pany, and a director of the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad Company, for which he has been attorney for years; and socially is a warden of St. John's church, and secretary and manager of the Ogdensburg Club. Mr. Hasbrouck has served as assistant United States attorney for Northern New York, and is admitted to all the State courts, and to the United States District and Circuit courts. He has held important city offices, such as alderman, president of the Board of Education, etc. Notwithstanding his many important interests and positions of public trust, Mr. Has- brouck is unobtrusive and quiet in his bearing to such a degree as to enlist the highest esteem and warmest appreciation of his fellow men. .

In 1866 he married Miss E. E. Knap, and they have six children, four are living. The only son, Mr. Philip Bevier Hasbrouck, is now attending Cornell University.

WILLIAM J. AVERELL.

W. J. AVERELL was born November 23, 1821, and is a scion of the best and most widely known names of St. Lawrence county. He inherited all the ability and busi- ness acumen of his father, and to those added the advantages of a splendid education, acquired under the tutorship of Lewis Taylor, one of the most eminent Greek schol- ars as well as one of the ablest writers of his day in America and at Union College.

He entered college in 1839, at seventeen years of age, and graduated in 1841 at the early age of nineteen. In 1842 he went into business in Troy as a wholesale dealer in groceries and liquors. After two years of business life in Troy, Mr. Averell went to New York and engaged in the importing trade for eleven years, when he came to Ogdensburg in the year 1855. He has resided here ever since that date, and has tak- en a deep and intelligent interest in the affairs, not only of the city, but of the coun- ty and State, and has taken an active part in public life, while declining all proffered honors in the way of office, even to the nomination for lieutenant-governor. The high esteem and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen are, however, an honor that has ever been accorded him, and which his upright and successful career fully justi- fies and merits. Every proposed improvement, every worthy enterprise in connec- tion with this city has always met with his hearty support, and his advice and coun- scl have been sought both in the lines of business and political exigencies.

He has been both supervisor and mayor, and was the only Democratic supervisor elected in the county after the formation of the Republican party. In 1861 Mr. Ave- rell entered the banking business and has been connected with it ever since. As a financier he has long been regarded as an authority.

In 1848 Mr. Averell married Mary Lawrence Williamson, of New Jersey, laughter of Commodore Williamson. Two children, Mrs. E. H. Harriman, of New York city, and William H. Averell, of Rochester, N. Y., survive by that marriage. This wife died, and in 1880 he married Mary Perkins. They have one son, Chester Dewey Averell.

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

THE CORBIN FAMILY.

AMASA CORBIN was born in Champlain, N. Y., in 1802. His father was killed by a fall from a horse while at the head of a military company at Plattsburg, of which he was captain, during the war of 1812-14, and when the subject of our sketeh was twelve years of age. Soon after, with his mother, he removed to Hancock, Berk- shire county, Mass., where at the age of twenty-two he married Phebe Maria Foster. In 1830 he settled upon a large farm four miles from Gouverneur village, on the De Kalb road, and with his wife lived thereon until his death at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him but two years.

Amasa Corbin was a man of peculiar temperament. An ardent hater of shams, fearless in the expression of his opinions, even when, in 1861, tospeak them was tan- tamount to social ostracism and personal danger; a Democrat of Democrats; a be- liever that the sons of Ham were predestined hewers of wood, and consequently a eordial opponent of the theory of equality which for forty years enthralled the sym- pathies of the vast majority in the Northern States; honest in everything; a man of marvelous memory and able to marshal and express his opinions forcibly ; quick at repartee and withal genial and soeiable with everybody whether of high or lowly station.

His wife was indeed a helpmeet to him. His sometime prodigality was offset by her caleulating economy; his tendency to let the burden of life rest easily upon him was balanced by her untiring industry. She was largely the builder of the competenee with which both were blessed as the days of their lives came to a close.

Eleven children were born to this worthy couple, of whom at this writing (June, 1893 ) five survive.

The road leading from Ogdensburg to Antwerp and passing the farm of Mr. Cor- bin was, at the time of his settlement, bordered by dense woods for the greater part of its length. Wolves were plenty, and once he was compelled to protect his flock of sheep from their ravages by throwing firebrands in the air throughout the night. Eight were killed however.

Mr. Corbin made the first cheese in St. Lawrence county, and at one time had the largest dairy, numbering sixty eows. His first season's make of cheese was marketed at Montreal, to which point he hauled it on a sleigh, selling it at three cents per pound. Afterward for a number of years he sent his produet in barrels to Boston and New York commission houses. He and the late Milton G. Norton, a brother-in-law, in 1851, brought the first reapers into the country, driving eighty miles for them.

The oldest surviving son, Charles M., born November 25, 1838, is a farmer and dealer in cattle, and has probably imported a larger number from Canada than any dealer in St. Lawrence county.

Jay S., born December 31, 1840, is an inventor and manufacturer at present in Prescott, Ontario, where he owns and operates an extensive factory. His inventions relating to disk harrows are in use all over the civilized world. An estimated output of 20,000 of his harrows annually is at this time being made at five factories.

Amasa, jr., born December 31, 1843, is a breeder of fine horses and a dealer in real estate, in both of which callings he is eminently sueeessful. He enjoys the distinction of being the first to organize capital on a large scale for the development of the great

BIOGRAPHICAL.

tale industry of Gouverneur. He was president and manager of the Adirondack Pulp Company, with a capital of $750,000, and effected the first consolidation of tale interests by obtaining control of the Gouverneur Pulp Company and uniting it with the former. This combination has been further perfected recently by the New York Central magnates, Depew and Webb. He is president of the Thousand Islands In- vestment Company and actively interested in promoting the interests of Murray Isl- and as a summer resort.

BLOOMFIELD USHER.

BLOOMFIELD USHER was born in the village of Herkimer, January 5, 1814. He had the benefit of the best schools in that place, and his native intelligence enabled him to secure a fair education.

When he had reached the age of seventeen years his father died and the son at once took charge of the business, conducting it successfully in his mother's name un- til he reached his majority, when he continued it in his own name. The family con- sisted of four boys and four girls. Their care and education fell upon the shoulders of Bloomfield, and they were all enabled to obtain educations suitable to fit them for the duties of life, one of the sons, Luke Usher, graduating as civil engineer.

Having the promotion of all worthy public affairs at heart, Mr. Usher eventually took a warm interest in politics, and was on several occasions an active delegate in the State conventions of the Whigs. His influence in this field led to his appointment as one of the superintendents of the canals, which office he filled acceptably for three years. He was subsequently elected justice of the peace and administered the duties of the office with ability and integrity.

But it was in connection with the banking business that Mr. Usher made his most conspicuous success in life, a business wherein his sound judgment, prudent fore- sight and unyielding integrity conspired to rapidly advance him to the front rank as a financier. He was chosen a director of the Agricultural Bank of Herkimer, where for several years his duties enabled him to acquire considerable knowledge of the business, and turned his attention to that field for his after life. In company with Col. H. P. Alexander, president of the Herkimer County Bank, and J. C. Dann, then of the Sackett's Harbor Bank, he negotiated the purchase of the Frontier Bank from the late Henry Keep, and located it at Potsdam. Of this institution the following was printed in a local newspaper about the year 1875:

"On the 1st day of May, 1851, the officers of theFrontier Bank of Potsdam opened their doors for doing and conducting a banking business in this village. The stock- holders, three in number, were the late Col. H. P. Alexander, then president of the Herkimer County Bank, and was so for thirty years; J. C. Dann, then cashier of the Sackett's Harbor Bank; and Bloomfield Usher, formerly of Herkimer, now of Pots- dam, were the owners and proprietors of said bank, with a capital of $50,000. On the 1st day of May, 1854, it was reorganized and made an association under the laws of this State, increasing its capital to $100,000. This corporation continued in their business with reasonable success until October 22, 1866. In the blue time of the

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

great civil war the government, to help preserve its own existence, organized the na- tional banking system, and that act, in its operations, wiped out all the State bank notes, substituting national currency in its place. The Frontier Bank passed away, and at the date mentioned its capital was merged in and transferred to the National Bank of Potsdam. At the same date, October, 1866, the capital was increased to $162,000, and so continued until March 1, 1871, when the capital was again increased and made $200,000. In the years 1870 and 1871, on a capital of $162,000, and 1872 and 1875, on a capital of $200,000, the National Bank of Potsdam paid to the United States government $10,621.39; to the State, county and village $7,069.54-total taxes in four years, $17,690.93. * * The capital stock of the bank at present is main- ly held by the proprietors of the Frontier Bank and their descendants. * * * As will readily be observed from what precedes, Potsdam has been favored with a reli- able, efficient and pre-eminently sound banking institution for the past twenty or more years, and it has added no small amount to its healthy and steadfastly growing interests. The Messrs. Usher are skilled and experienced financial managers, as their well earned reputation and their labors of a quarter of a century fully attest. No bank or banking house in the State of New York stands better to-day in the finan- cial world than does the National Bank of Potsdam."

As before indicated, the above account was printed nearly twenty years ago, and it need only be added in relation to the financial institution to which Bloomfield Usher gave so much of his life work, that its reputation as one of the most prudently man- aged and successful banks in the interior of the State was maintained down to the date of Mr. Usher's death, and still is continued under direction of other members of the family. A further account of the bank will be found in the history of Potsdam village, in earlier pages of this work.

In the year 1851 Mr. Usher first removed to Potsdam, and in 1857 he was elected by the Republicans to the State Senate. Here he represented the interests of his constituents with his characteristic fidelity and energy, giving intelligent and unre- mitting attention to such measures as would promote their welfare, while at the same time he gave freely of his aid to the advancement of all beneficent legislation for the people of the State at large. But his natural taste was not for politics or public posi- tion, and upon the expiration of his senatorial term he retired from that field and subsequently gave his entire attention to the affairs of the bank.

While thus building up this staunch institution Mr. Usher did not fail in his duties as a citizen of Potsdam and of St. Lawrence county. In every movement that tend- ed to the promotion of the interests of the village he was foremost. The Bayside Cemetery was organized by him, he having purchased the land, and he was its pres- ident until his death. For three years he served efficiently as president of the vil- lage. During almost the entire period of his residence in Potsdam he was warden and vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church, and contributed liberally to its support. In the discharge of all his duties as a public spirited citizen, Mr. Usher was never found wanting, while his kindly nature, his integrity and conscientiousness, made for him a large circle of friends. Mr. Usher died April 10, 1893.

He was married first in 1836, to Ann Usher, of New York city. They had several children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Usher died in 1865. He married second Grace M. Laflin, of Pittsfield, Mass., who with their daughter Grace, survives.

Bayley

BIOGRAPHICAL.

C. W. BAYLEY, M.D.

DR. C. W. BAYLEY was born in Massena, October 6, 1845, and was educated at Fort Covington Academy in Franklin county. He then took his medical course in Bur- lington Medical College, graduating with honors in 1876. In 1880 he took a post graduate course in the University of New York. In 1876 he settled in Rensselaer Falls, where he now conducts the leading drug establishment of the place besides at- tending to a large medical practice.

Dr. Bayley is a Mason, a member of Blue Lodge Fellowship No. 749, and was a member of Company F. 106th New York Volunteers.

In 1880 Dr. Bayley married Carrie Cooper ; they have one daughter, Ada Lucretia Bayley. Mrs. Bayley's father and the celebrated novelist, J. Fenimore Cooper, were cousins. Dr. Bayley's father was Cyrus M. Bayley, and his mother was Mary (San- born) Bayley. The doctor is a member of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society.

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Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 67

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