USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 70
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 70
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In the fall of 1871 Mr. Tappan was elected county judge for the term of six years. As his term approached its close he was nominated by the Republican party for jus- tice of the Supreme Court of the State, and being elected, took his seat on the bench January 1, 1878, and served the term of fourteen years. He proved himself in every way fitted for this high judicial position.
At the bar he was characterized by industry and carefulness in preparing his eases, and by a logical and candid presentation of them, rather than by any of the sharp maneuvering and questionable methods in which some counselors delight and on which the success of too many is based. The same attributes of eandor, industry and sound judgment were steadily manifested in the office of county judge, which he filled with honor to himself and entire satisfaction to his fellow citizens. In the high- er tribunal of the Supreme Court he exhibited the same qualities which marked his earlier career, and became distinguished for the soundness of his legal views and the justice and impartiality of his rulings. At the close of his term as justice of the Supreme Court, on January 1, 1892, he returned to the practice of the law at Potsdam, and has since continued actively engaged in such professional work. In 1880 Mr. Tappan became a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and of Trinity Parish at Potsdam, and since then has been one of the vestrymen of that parish.
Mr. Tappan was married, February 24, 1857, to Miss Sarah A. Hewitt, daughter of Dr. Henry Hewitt, of Potsdam. They have four children now living.
EDGAR A. NEWELL.
EDGAR A. NEWELL was born in Ogdensburg, May 10, 1853. He was educated in the public schools of his native place, and graduated from what is now the academy at the early age of sixteen. He then took a business course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and at the age of twenty-one went on the road as traveler for a New York advertising agency. In 1877 he returned to Ogdensburg, and from that date to the present has been an active and important factor in the progress of the city.
On his return he first entered the employ of H. F. Lawrence, wholesale and retail dealer in books, stationery and notions. The death of Mr. Lawrence in 1878 left the business on the market, and Mr. Newell formed a partnership with his father and Eugene Smith, purchased the business and continued it under the firm name of Newell, Smith & Co. Under Mr. Newell's able management the business grew rap- idly, and at the expiration of three years he bought out both of his partners and con- ducted the business alone till 1891, when the name became " The Edgar A. Newell Co.," (incorporated) with Mr. Newell its president and manager. The fact that the house does a business of $200,000 a year is a practical illustration of Mr. Newell's busi- ness abilities, as by his own energy and superior management he has built up the trade of the house from a very small beginning to these magnificent proportions.
yours truly edgar A. Arwill
F.M. Spaulding
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
This achievement, while it is sufficient to stamp any man as a leader in commercial affairs, is but a part of the success which has crowned Mr. Newell's efforts.
He has been in business only fourteen years, and yet there is scarcely a prominent project in the city with which he is not connected. He was one of the founders of the Loan and Savings Building Association, was its first president and is president at present. He is a director of the First National Bank; secretary of the Ogdensburg Street Railway Company; vice-president and director of the Ogdensburg Wholesale Grocery Company; treasurer of the Ogdensburg Agricultural Society, and a director of the Masonic Tier Mutual Aid Association.
In recounting these enterprises, the activity and value of Mr. Newell's life are well indicated, and no words can add to the high encomiums of practical achievements. His executive and financial abilities, his ready and liberal support of all projects tending to the advancement of his native city, and his sterling character have all all combined to win the highest esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. This appreciation has manifested itself in a practical way, particularly in his election to the mayor's chair in the years 1889 and 1890, and again in the spring of the present year 1893. In dealing with public affairs Mr. Newell has always exhibited the same zeal and careful management that characterizes him in his private enterprises, and his discharge of all public duties is dignified and able.
In1 1879 Mr. Newell married Addie B. Priest, of Potsdam. They have two bright and promising sons.
M. W. SPAULDING.
M. W. SPAULDING Was born in Rutland, Jefferson county, N. Y., April 27, 1819. His father was a farmer, and the first seventeen years of his life were spent on the farm. At that age he began teaching school, and taught for three years, when he took a course in the Black River Literary and Religious Institute. His last teaching was at the village of Johnsonsburgh, Wyoming County, N. Y. Was four years engaged in the manufacture and sale of L. B. Walker's Patent Smut Mill, at Henderson, N. Y., which had a large sale. Spring of 1848 moved to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. ; was in a general trade four years.
In 1852 he purchased a large tract of timber land and other property for milling purposes in Edwards, and remained there seven years. It was about this time that he began to take an active part in politics. He was a strong anti-slavery man, but notwithstanding this he was elected supervisor in 1853, and re-elected in 1854. When the first move was made toward the formation of the Republican party, he took a large delegation to Canton to the first convention held in St. Lawrence county, and was elected clerk of that convention.
Three years later he was elected county clerk, and subsequently he was appointed by the supervisors school commissioner for the Second District. He moved to Can- ton in 1859 and lived there for twelve years.
In 1869 he purchased property in Rensselaer Falls and rebuilt the saw and grist mills, established the bent works, and did a great deal toward building up the business in- terests of the village. After five years in the bent works, he turned his attention to
28
HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mineralogy, and has been identified with the mining and marble business of the county ever since. He is now opening a talc mine in Fowler, which promises to be very valuable and is located in a part of the county hitherto overlooked by prospectors. He has served four successive terms, sixteen years, down to 1892, as justice of the peace.
In 1845 Mr. Spaulding married Venila Armsberry. They have had nine children, five of whom are living, four daughters and one son. Their names are: M. Warren, who resides in Larimore, N. D .: Mrs. H. R. Burrington, of Franklin, Mass., her husband being principal of the Dean Academy; Mrs. Chester Buck, of Harrisburg, Pa. ; Mrs. William C. Ghering, of Orr, N. D .; and Mrs. W. H. Blodgett, of Worces- ter, Mass.
Mr. Spaulding has lived a long and honorable life, all of which has been identified with St. Lawrence county, throughout which he is well known and highly esteemed.
CHARLES WILLIAMS.
CHARLES WILLIAMS was born in Franklin county, Mass., January 29, 1833. In 1834 his parents came to St. Lawrence county and settled on the farm where Mr. Williains now lives, near Richville, in the town of De Kalb. The subject of this sketch was consequently reared a farmer and has been connected with agricultural pursuits all his life. In 1870 he einbarked in the lime business, of which he has made a great suc- cess The firm is now Williams & Johnson, the latter being Mr. Williams's son-in-law. The partnership was formed in 1892.
In 1857 Mr. Williams married Bethia W. Leonard, daughter of C. C. Leonard. They have four children living, one son and three daughters, namely: Mr. H. N. Williams, Mrs. N. P. Holland, Mrs. M. E. Johnson, and Mrs. E. S. Jones.
Mr. Charles Williams is one of the prominent Prohibitionists of St. Lawrence coun- ty, and is the chairman of the Prohibition County Committee, Previous to 1884 he was a Republican and voted for all the Republican candidates from Fremont to Blaine. He also takes an intelligent interest in educational matters, and has been trustee of the school district in which he resides.
In his earlier days Mr. Williams taught school several terms, but ill health forced him to give up this vocation and return to the farm. His business career has been very successful, and he is regarded by all as one of the leading men of the town of De Kalb.
AMOS S. EGERT.
AMOS S. EGERT was born in Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., October 2, 1826. His father was of Holland Dutch descent, his mother, English. He was educated in the district schools, and at the age of fourteen came to Ogdensburg with his uncle, C. P. Egert, who was engaged in mercantile business with James G. Averill. Here Amos S. Egert learned the principles of thorough business so soundly and developed so
29
BIOGRAPHICAL.
much ability that he subsequently became one of the partners. He moved to Gou- verneur and looked after the interests of the concern there for many years, and afterwards formed a limited partnership with J. P. Weiser, in Prescott, Ont., and lived there for a short time, still retaining his Gouverneur interests. Returning to Ogdensburg, he purchased a grain business from Mr. Bean, and this he conducted successfully up to within two years of the date of his death in 1887.
In 1852 Mr. Egert married Lois A. Rhodes, of Gouverneur. They had two children: William, and Harriet (now Mrs. C. S. Westbrook of the St. Lawrence Wholesale Gro- cery.) William died a few months before his father.
Amos S. Egert was one of the leading men of Ogdensburg, highly respected and much admired for his sterling integrity and business success. He was frequently importuned to accept public office, but always refused. His business interests occu- pied his life, and he died leaving a large property. He was one of the most amiable and well-balanced men that one could meet, and truthful almost to a fault (if this were possible), and rather conservative, especially as to political questions. He was a Democrat and was always interested in his party's success and voted its ticket.
ALONZO A. SMITH.
ALONZO A. SMITH was born in the town of Canton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., November 7, 1855. He was educated in the schools of his native place, and was graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1875. He engaged in editorial work on the St. Lawrence Plaindealer, and in 1876 went to Albany as legislative reporter for the New York Daily Witness and the Albany Morning Express. After an experience of three years in the capital as correspondent for various papers he came to Ogdensburg in August, 1879, and began editorial work on the Ogdensburg Daily Journal and the St. Lawrence Republican.
Upon the death of Col. S. P. Remington in 1880 Mr. Smith became editor of both papers, which position he has since held. In 1882, upon the organization of the Republican and Journal Company, he became a part owner of that institution.
The utterances of the editorial columns of these papers on political issues and secular questions attracted attention, and he was soon taking an active part in the politics of the county and State. The Republicans of St. Lawrence county, recog- nizing his capacity as an organizer, elected him chairman of the County Committee in 1883, which position he filled with marked ability until 1891, when he resigned because of his appointment, in April of the previous year, as postmaster at Ogdens- burg.
As postmaster Mr. Smith was efficient, courteous and obliging, surrounding him- self with the best assistants in his power and sparing no effort or labor which could conduce to the accommodation of the public. In the appointment of subordinates he recognized merit and ability, and retained the services of several of the most efficient carriers and clerks who had been placed in the office by his predecessor. This feat- ure of civil service reform has since been applied by law to the administration of this office. During his term the work of the post-office was systematized and perfected;
30
HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the carrier service was extended, by the employment of a mounted carrier, to include the entire city; the office was made the depository of postal funds for Northern New York, and numerous minor changes and improvements were consummated.
Mr. Smith has been a member of many Republican gatherings and conventions since 1880, and has a wide acquaintance throughout the State.
In addition to his regular newspaper work, he has acted as writer on special subjects for different New York papers, making tours of selected districts of this country and Canada, and contributing articles of merit on various topographical and other subjects.
During his residence in Ogdensburg he has taken a deep interest in educational matters, has been a member of the city Board of Education for twelve years, and also president of that body. He is in sympathy with progressive movements, and in harmony with the best principles of public and social life. He is a member of the State Press Association, vice-president of the Republican State Editorial Asso- ciation, and allied with other institutions.
In 1884 Mr. Smith married Mary Louise Pettibone, daughter of Rev. Ira Pettibone, of Winchester, Conn. Mrs. Smith was a teacher of wide experience and eminent success. They have one daughter, Louise Pettibone Smith.
GEORGE F. DARROW.
GEORGE F. DARROW was born in West Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., June 18, 1854. His father was an extensive farmer, and his early days were spent on the farm. He attended district school in his boyhood, and afterward entered Cazenovia Seminary, whence he graduated in 1873. He entered Syracuse University the following fall and graduated in the centennial year of 1876.
After leaving college he took Horace Greeley's advice and went west, locating at Fort Scott, Kans., and purchased an interest in the Monitor Publishing Company. The business, however, did not develop as anticipated and he sold out and returned to his eastern home.
In May, 1877, he came to Ogdensburg with a brother-in-law and purchased the Advance and St. Lawrence Weekly Democrat. They continued in partnership till January, 1878, when Mr. Darrow became sole proprietor. Since that time the Ad- vance has grown largely in circulation and business, and now stands second to no other newspaper in St. Lawrence county.
Mr. Darrow has been the pioneer in many successful features of journalism in this section. He was the first to make most prominent the local and town news of the county, and to introduce the eight page form, folded, pasted and trimmed by ma- chinery. He has to-day the only web perfecting press in the whole northern section.
Mr. Darrow has made a specialty of printing almanacs and pamphlets in large edi- tions, and with special machinery secures customers from different parts of the coun- try. His annual output is between fifteen and twenty millions.
In 1879 Mr. Darrow was united in marriage to Mary Louise, daughter of the late Hon. Charles G. Myers. To them one daughter, Georgiana, was born in 1882. They occupy a pleasant home on the corner of State and Greene streets.
31
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. Darrow has always been a warm supporter of every interest designed to pro- mote the welfare of Ogdensburg, and is connected with many of its business and public enterprises. He is a member of the Board of Managers of St. Lawrence State Hospital, a director of the National Bank, and a trustee of the City Library. All positions of trust have been administered with integrity and ability. As an editor, his work has been influenced by a conscientious regard for the public good. He holds the duties of his profession to be something above a mere party advocate, and his editorials are clear and convincing, and the issues are stated fairly and honestly.
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR.
IN a comprehensive history of St. Lawrence county special mention is due to the subject of this sketch, both because of his business success and his valuable public services. The son of a farmer, born in East Washington, N. H., March 26, 1837, the first twenty years of his life were passed upon his father's farm, where he acquired the physical and mental vigor that are peculiarly the gifts of rural life and good pa- rentage.
At the age of twenty years he went to work at the lumber business with his uncle, Lawrence Barnes, in Burlington, Vt., where he remained until June 3, 1859, when he was entrusted with the management of the Ogdensburg branch of the business, then recently established under the firm name of C. & D. Whitney, jr., & Co., his uncle being one of the partners. In 1875 Mr. Barnes withdrew from the firm, which became Skillings & Whitney Bros., and continued under this style until 1878, when it was incorporated as "The Skillings, Whitneys & Barnes Lumber Company," with a paid up capital of $1,000,000. Mr. Proctor is still a prominent factor in the com- pany, having been a director and quite a considerable stockholder from the first, and for some time its president and at the present time its manager. The business is very extensive and has been managed with gratifying success.
Outside of his large business interests, which constitute an important feature of the commercial life of Ogdensburg, Mr. Proctor is recognized in the community where he lives for his spirit of public enterprise, and is highly esteemed for his acts and influence in support of all public measures that promise the promotion of the welfare of the city at large. In connection with Col. E. C. James and Silas W. Day, Mr. Proctor acted as the people's executive in carrying out their will and erecting the new town hall, which is to-day the pride of the city and town.
He has been repeatedly elected mayor of the city, and has held many minor of- fices, in all of which he has displayed a degree of executive ability and public spirit most commendable. At the present time (1893) he is president of the Board of Pub- lic Works, vice-president of the superintendents of the poor of the town of Oswe- gatchie, and one of the managers of the St. Lawrence State Hospital.
Politically Mr. Proctor is a Republican, and his standing in his party is indicated by the fact that he was made one of the presidential electors in 1888, and has been officially connected with the State Committee for many years,
32
HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
On February 12, 1861, Mr. Proctor was married to Dolly P. Howard, daughter of Rev. J. M. Howard, deceased, of Ogdensburg. Mrs. Proctor is a woman of gener- ous impulses and interested in all good works. She takes a deep interest in the Bap- tist Church, of which she and her husband are valued members. Their children are William H., Lawrence M., Mary Isabel, Nancy Grace, and Mabel Jane.
ZENA B. BRIDGES, M. D.
ZENA B. BRIDGES was born in Massena, N. Y., December 29, 1826. He was the fourth child of a large family, and consequently owes his advancement in life to his own indomitable energy and tenacity. He early displayed those qualities of supe- rior ability and foresight which eventually placed him at the head of his chosen pro- fession, and made him a power in our body politic.
Dr. Bridges received his rudimentary education in the local schools and the old Potsdam Academy, and after a preliminary course of study, entered Bellevue Hospi- tal Medical College, from which he graduated in 1849. He immediately thereafter came to Ogdensburg and entered upon the active and most successful practice of his profession, acquiring a very large practice and becoming in due time, as befitted his acknowledged abilities, one of Ogdensburg's leading citizens, and one whose advice and counsel was eagerly sought for upon all matters of local importance.
Dr. Bridges never sought political preferment, but considered that every true cit- izen owed somewhat of his time and attention to public matters. He therefore ac- cepted the election to the mayor's chair, and other public offices. He was town su- perintendent of schools for many years, was president of the Board of Education, of the Board of Water Commissioners, State Medical Society, and identified in a marked degree with all local social and political affairs.
Dr. Bridges was married on the 10th of December, 1865, to Mrs. Harriet M. Lowell, an accomplished and talented lady of New England parentage.
After a life of such usefulness and honor, it is no matter of surprise that this com- munity was shocked when called upon to pay the last sad rites to Dr. Bridges, so loved and respected for his gentle qualities of heart, his open hand, and his profess- ional skill ever at the service of the needy and suffering. Dr. Bridges died Sunday night, July 16, 1893. His death was deeply regretted by the whole community, and many were the expressions of appreciation of his high character, fine learning and of his public worth, although his private life exhibited to them who knew him best even greater lustre and nobleness of character.
DAVID McFALLS, M. D.
DAVID McFALLS was born January 10, 1822, at Morristown, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and died at his residence in Gouverneur, April 6, 1891, aged sixty-nine years, two months and twenty-seven days.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the farm with his parents in the town of Morristown, after which his father moved to the town of Rossie. Young McFalls being of an ambitious turn of mind and believing himself capable of winning success in some field of usefulness which promised greater rewards for industry and ability than were usually found on the farm, chose the medical profession as the field which best suited his boyish desires; and his long and honorable life of success and splendid usefulness more than justified his laudable ambition.
He began his medical studies with Dr. Slade in the village of Rossie, and subse- quently entered the College of Medicine at Castleton, Vt., from which he graduated with honor, June 30, 1848. Being one of a family of eight children, and his parents being unable to give him a thorough mental training he was compelled to start upon his professional career with only the meager educational advantages offered by the country schools of that day. But by native ability and persevering pluck he readily surmounted all obstacles and far outstripped in the race of life many competitors, who at the start were far better equipped than he; and the ripe years of his mature manhood gave no sign of that lack of early advantages which would have defeated many men of his heroic mould.
Upon receiving his diploma, Dr. McFalls returned to Rossie, and at once entered upon his profession, which resulted in the building up of a large and lucrative prac- tice.
Having established a successful business, he sought and found a desirable wife in the person of the talented and accomplished Miss Cornelia Pierce, of Rossie, to whom he was married May 10, 1854. Their matrimonial union was blessed by the birth of three children, two of whom survive, namely: David, who is practicing law at Ellins- burg, Wash., and Miss Alida, now with her bereaved mother.
Dr. McFalls proved his patriotism during the war by giving up his medical prac- tice, and enlisting as a soldier in the defense of his country. He was commisioned, August 25, 1862, as surgeon of the 142d Regiment N. Y. Vols., and served ably and faithfully in that capacity until the cessation of hostilities, when he was appointed to the responsible position of medical purveyor of the Andersonville prisoners of war, at Wilmington, N. C.
Returning to Rossie, he resumed and continued his profession until 1873, when he moved to Gouverneur. His good name as a man and a physician having preceded him, he was warmly welcomed by his new neighbors and eontinued an uninterrupted career of success until the fall of 1876, when he was elected member of assembly from the first St. Lawrence county district. Discharging his legislative duties to the satisfaction of his constituents, he was re-elected, and having acquitted himself with honor and fidelity, he resumed his medical profession in Gouverneur.
In the spring of 1880, induced by a most tempting offer for his services, he went to Park City, Utah, where he practiced his profession. Although his services were meeting with a splendid financial reward, he returned to and resumed his practice in Gouverneur, after an absence of about four years.
Dr. McFalls merited and achieved success in every undertaking upon which he entered and deserved the friendship and confidence of those who knew him, by a faithful discharge of all duties.
Among his many public duties he served his Rossie townsmen as supervisor for several terms; occupied the position of one of the Board of U. S. Examiners for
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