Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 71

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 71
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 71

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

St. Lawrence county. He held high rank as member of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society ; was frequently called as counsel by his medical brethren in difficult and important cases; was an esteemed member of the G. A. R. ; in fact, a complete history of his nearly seventy years would be the account of a long life crowded with important duties, faithfully performed, and crowned at last with the deserved plaudit, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

He was the friend of the poor and will be sadly missed and sincerely mourned by many whose ill success in gathering and laying up golden treasures on earth made it impossible to pay for medical assistance.

During the four weeks' sickness that preceded his death the doctor was constantly attended by his devoted wife and daughter, who administered every comfort that willing hands could afford, and was cheered in his dying days by every token of filial affection that a life of unselfish devotion could inspire in the human heart.

The funeral services were held at his late residence, and were attended by a host of friends and the members of Barnes Post, his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic.

He was a man in the best and highest sense of that term; his death is a sad loss not only to his family but to this entire community; he will be greatly missed and sincerely mourned by all who appreciate the sterling qualities which constitute true manhood.

The tireless hands which have wrought so much for the good of his fellows are now folded forever upon his faithful breast. His world-weary spirit has pushed ajar the gates of life and a right royal soul has passed in peace beyond earth's strife and en- tered the shadowy portals of eternal rest. Thus we must bid a final farewell to a true man and faithful friend.

We subjoin a few remarks from the funeral address by the Rev. Mr. Skinner;

" At 11 o'clock Rev. Mr. Skinner introduced the services and delivered the address, and was followed briefly by Rev. Dr. Miller, of Ogdensburg, who spoke of the de- ceased in terms of the most affectionate personal appreciation.

" Two reasons combine to make this an exceptional occasion, and to make us all · mourners. The first reason is, a good man has been taken away. The second rea- son is, this good man belonged, in a very exceptional degree, to us all. This makes our sorrow personal as well as sympathetic. We mourn with those who mourn. We mourn a loss which is our own. We are often called to pay the last honors to respected fellow citizens. We are not often called to mourn the loss of a good man whose going leaves such a sense of personal loss in so many lives and so many homes."

THE CLARKSON FAMILY.

THE CLARKSONS, of Potsdam, are descendants of the Clarksons of Bradford county, York, England. From Mrs. Lamb's History of the City of New York we sketch the early history of the family:

Matthew Clarkson, son of the Rev. David Clarkson of Bradford, landed in New York January 28, 1691, and was made secretary of the Province of New York. He

BIOGRAPHICAL.

had three sons and two daughters. In 1718 the three brothers, David, Levinus, and Matthew, were established as merchants in London, Amsterdam, and New York re- spectively. David in six years returned to New York. He had six children, three of whom left issue. Matthew married Elizabeth De Peyster; David married Elizabeth French; and Levinus married Mary Van Horne. Shortly after the war-perhaps about 1820-Matthew's grandson, John Charlton Clarkson, came to Potsdam as man- ager of the lands, but returned to New York in 1835. His son, David M., now living in Texas, is his only surviving child.

David and Elizabeth French had eight children. The issue of these only are con- nected with our sketch, viz. : Matthew, born in 1758, served in the army throughout the war, and died in 1824; Thomas Streatfield married Elizabeth Van Horne, and died in 1844; Levinus married Ann Mary Van Horne, and died at Potsdam in 1845. As has already been stated in these pages, these three brothers owned large tracts of land in Potsdam. Shortly after 1821 Matthew conveyed his share to the others. His grandson, T. Streatfield, married his cousin, daughter of Thomas S. Clarkson and Elizabeth, and in 1852 moved from New York to Potsdam, and is the present owner of the house erected by John C. Clarkson in 1821, now known as "Holcroft." The

socond brother, Thomas Streatfield, had two children, who removed to Potsdam: Frances Selina, who married Augustus L., son of Levinus and Ann Mary Van Horne ; and Thomas S., who married Elizabeth, daughter of Levinus and Ann M. Van Horne. He came to Potsdam in 1840, having previously erected the stone house, known as the "Homestead," which is now occupied by his children, Thomas S. and his three sis- ters. Levinus, the third brother, removed in 1840 to the estate now known as " Hol- croft," where he passed the remainder of his days. His death occurred in Septem- ber, 1845, in his eighty-first year. Mrs. Clarkson outlived her husband eleven years and died at Potsdam in her seventy-ninth year. They had four sons and three daughters: Lavinia, who passed the greater portion of her time at Potsdam, and died in 1881; Ann Mary, died unmarried; a son died in infancy. Augustus Levinus married first Frances Selina, moved to Potsdam in 1825, and built the stone house on the estate known as "Woodstock." His wife died in 1829. In 1852 he married Emily C. McVickar, by whom he had one daughter, Mrs. Frances McClean, now living at Halstead, England. He died in Florida in 1855. David L., the fifth child of Levi- nus and Ann Mary Van Horne, came to Potsdam with his brother, Augustus L., purchased the estate of William H. Le Roy, and after the burning of the old mansion erected the stone house still standing on Le Roy street. Elizabeth, the fourth child, married Thomas S., of whom mention has already been made. Levinus, the young- est, moved to New York in 1849 and married Mary, daughter of Edward P. Livings- ton, and died in 1861, leaving two sons, Edward L. and Robert L., who still own land in Potsdam between Canton Avenue and Pine street.

Members of the family, as the readers of these pages may learn, have contributed effectively in many ways to the growth and prosperity of the town and village of Potsdam.

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

LOUIS DE VILLERS HOARD.

LOUIS DE V. HOARD was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, April 10, 1824. While he was yet young his father died and the family moved to Ogdensburg, and here he received his education. When fourteen years old, in the spring of 1838, he went to Chicago with his uncle, Samuel Hoard, who was then editor of the St. Law- rence Republican. Returning here for a short time, he went again in 1842 to Chi- cago, where he took an active part in public affairs, and his success is indicated by his having been clerk of the Circuit Court and county recorder of deeds. These offices were continued under his incumbency in 1856. He was the first Republican elected to this office. He occupied the position for eight years, when he returned to Ogdensburg in 1864. Soon after he again went to Chicago and lived there for ten years, returning to Ogdensburg in 1874, and making it his permanent home from that time. It was during Mr. Hoard's third period of residence in Chicago that the historic fire occurred. Mr. Hoard conducted an Abstract of Title office, and as the public county records were all destroyed the abstracts possessed by his firm became of great value.

After his return to Ogdensburg Mr. Hoard did not engage actively in business, but gave his time, attention and liberally of his large means to the promotion of benefi- cent movements. A quiet and unostentatious man, deep in his heart was planted the sentiment of love for his fellowmen, and many were the noble deeds of charity that gilded and distinguished his life. So high did he stand in the esteem of his towns- men that when he died, March 4, 1893, a special meeting of the City Council was called by Mayor McClair to take action in relation to fitting recognition of the demise of so good a citizen, and to do public honor to so grand a man. At this meeting the following resolution was passed:

"Resolved, That in the death of Louis De Villers Hoard, Ogdensburg has lost a citizen always earnestly devoted to its best interests ; whose open hand ever promptly responded to the generous impulses of his heart; while we, his friends and neighbors are deprived of one whose advice in counsel, whose vigor in action and whose intel- lectual ability and genial courtesy in daily intercourse have won our esteem and ad- miration.

" Mr. Hoard was known among us as a wise and prudent inan, whose wide sym- pathies and public spirit reached out in many directions to promote the welfare of his fellows. While shrinking from publicity and always preferring the path of quiet, unrecorded service, yet he never flinched from the calls of duty nor shrank from the burden of responsibility.

" In the State his energy and influence were exerted with unwearied patience and marked success for the preservation of our fisheries and game; and in civic life, whether in the public care of the poor, gifts for the adornment and enrichment of our city and town, or in private benefactions innumerable, we knew him always as the wise, conscientious administrator, the generous, sympathetic helper, and the ten- der-hearted, loyal friend. An honest, upright, benevolent man, we honor his mem- ory, and to the family we extend our sympathy in the hour of their affliction."

Earnest eulogies and high tributes were also paid to the memory of Mr. Hoard by prominent gentlemen of the city. So public a mode of expressing grief for the loss

Low D. Hoard

BIOGRAPHICAL.

of a citizen, and the sineere regret of the whole community were striking evidences of the appreciation of the noble life he led and the exalted esteem in which he was held.

To Mr. Hoard the city owes the splendid bell in the city hall tower, and the chapel at the cemetery, while his memory lives green in the hearts of many for his kindly deeds. He wore the white flower of a blameless life and he wore it well. Neither the sculptor nor the historian ean add to his honest, manly fame, but to these preser- vers of worth it is a pleasure to write his name and record his deeds.

SAMUEL H. PALMER.

SAMUEL H. PALMER was born in the village of Colton, August 12, 1837. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Madrid, and there his youth and early manhood were passed. He was educated in the village schools and at the Potsdam and Gouverneur Academies. He taught school for several years, and then studied law in the office of Hon. Daniel Magone, where he remained for upwards of three years. He was admitted to the bar, but took up the insurance business. After some time he gave this up, and at the solicitation of the late H. R. James, purchased an interest in the St. Lawrence Republican January 1, 1874. He is manager and treasurer of the Republiean and Journal Company, and owns a major portion of the stock.

Mr. Palmer has been actively connected with public affairs in the past, although at present he gives most of his attention to the affairs of the St. Lawrence Republican and Ogdensburg Journal. He was supervisor of the town of Oswegatchie for thirteen years, and was chairman of the board for three years. He was town clerk for five terms, and was chairman of the School Board when the project of establishing the academy in Ogdensburg was carried through. Projects of merit have always met with his hearty support, and his intelligent advocaey has secured the success of many worthy undertakings.

In 1867 Mr. Palmer married Martha Packard Wright. They have had five children, four of whom are living.

The Palmer family is of English descent. Walter Palmer, the first of the race in America, came over with Endicott in 1629, and, after remaining in Salem and Reho- both, Mass., settled in Stonington, Conn., in 1653. His old residence still stands in that town.

HORACE D. ELLSWORTH.

HORACE D. ELLSWORTH was born in Granville, Washington county, N. Y., Decem- ber 4, 1834. His father was Lyman Ellsworth, who was of the old Connecticut fam- ily of that name that had been settled in Windham county of that State for several generations; the grandfather of the subject of this sketch early in the present century removed with his family to Granville, and there Lyman Ellsworth lived for some

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

years. He married Amanda Barnes, and removed with his family to St. Lawrence county in the year 1835, where Mr. Ellsworth has resided since.

At the breaking out of the war he was a law student in the office of Judge W. H. Sawyer; he enlisted in Scott's 900 Cavalry, and served with his regiment from Nov- ember 1861 to July 1865. His record as a soldier is indicated by the fact that, going into the service a private, he was mustered out a major.

Major Ellsworth is a representative of a family that has been identified with the three national wars of this Republic. His grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War; his father was a soldier of the War of 1812. He was also related to the famous Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, the first martyr of the war, who was shot at Alexandria, Va., in May, 1861.

Mr. Ellsworth was admitted to the bar of his native State in 1870, and has been engaged in active practice since. He has been assistant district attorney for nine years, and special surrogate six years, besides filling several minor offices, and in all his public services his career has been marked by ability in the discharge of duty.

Politically Major Ellsworth is a Republican and has been repeatedly a delegate to the conventions of his party, county and State. He is a fine public speaker, forcible and convincing, and is very popular throughout this part of the State.

He commands an excellent legal pratice, and is interested in many of the most im- portant c ases before the courts. Socially he is a close friend, a kind neighbor, and a good citizen, and deeply interested in the welfare of the town and community where he resides.

In 1871 Major Ellsworth married Fannie M. Collins, of Canton, N. Y. They have one child, Rich ard Collins Ellsworth, and live in a pleasant residence in Canton, a noteworthy feature of which is a valuable library, embracing both law and secular departments.

HIRAM W. DAY.

MAJOR HIRAM W. DAY was born in Hermon, N. Y., March 13, 1835. His parents were John and Jennie Day, who settled in the Day neighborhood in 1825, and were among the pioneers of the town. Hiram W. attended the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, where he paid for his tuition by acting as bell ringer, and at the Potsdam Institute, where he also worked his way. He studied law in the office of Judson & Powell, Ogdensburg, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1859.

In 1862 when President Lincoln issued his call for 300,000 troops, Colonel Judd, Captain Paine and Mr. Day enlisted a large part of the men who composed the 106th N. Y. Infantry. Mr. Day went out as first lieutenant of Company A, August 27, 1862, but had command of the company and continued to command it until com- missioned as captain, March 3, 1863.

Captain Day speedily showed himself to be a man of resolution, ability to command and brave almost to recklessness. The most notable instances of his service in the field were as follows:

His capture of the celebrated guerrilla Sam Hi and his gang, and of a captain of the Confederate Black Horse Cavalry with nineteen of his recruits, both of which ex-

Hiram W. Day .

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ploits were effected with a small number of men. At the celebrated Martinsburg af- fair, where Lee's army was checked by a few companies under Colonel James, Cap- tain Day with his company was in the front and bore the heavy work of the day.

Captain Day joined the Army of the Potomac just after the battle of Gettysburg. In November, 1863, he was detailed as acting assistant inspector-general, Third Brig- ade, Third Division, Third Army Corps.

At Locust Grove Captain Day prevented a general stampede of the brigade by holding two companies in check, revolver in hand, and with Lieutenant Judson de- ployed and opened fire on the enemy, eventually holding the left of line and winning the day. He participated in all the battles of the Wilderness, and bore his full share of the honors that gave the 106th so terrible a name to the rebels. At the Slaughter Pen and Cold Harbor his company was in the front of the battle, and while losing many men, covered themselves with glory. At the battle of Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864, also, the 106th took a prominent part-the hardest battle of the war and the one that saved Washington. During the latter part of this battle Captain Day, the inspector general of First Brigade of the Third Division, Sixth A. C., which fought that battle, was the only living non-disabled staff officer on the entire line, and, con- stantly on horseback and exposed to the close musketry fire of 5,000 rebels, he assisted Colonel Truax to retire the army in good order after General Lew Wallace had ordered a surrender.

He also participated in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Run, and other notable engagements, and while miraculously escaping without a wound, his old war scabbard shows the dents of several bullets. At Sailor's Creek Captain Day received the flag of truce from Major Pegram of Genearl Pegram's South Carolina Division, surrendering Major General Ewell, Major General Curtis Lee, Major Gen- eral Pegram, General Burbridge, Commodore Tucker, and the army of 10,000 men of Ewell's command, and the entire Richmond reserve troops, the flower of Lee's army.

Captain Day was present at the surrender of Lee to Grant. At the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, he was commissioned brevet major and acting assistant inspector-general, staff department, Army of the Potomac, for brilliant and merito- rious service during the war, and especially in the Shenandoah Valley. He twice saved the regimental colors at Cedar Creek and at the assault on Petersburg, where he led First Brigade of the Third Division, Sixth A. C., on the left of the assaulting line.

During the war Major Day was appointed judge advocate at different times for special exigencies. He is a prominent Grand Army man, has been post commander and is a member of the St. Lawrence County Veterans' Association. He is a warm and true friend to every honorably discharged soldier.

After the war Major Day married Emma A. Budlam, daughter of Edward Budlam, af Ogdensburg. Mrs. Day is a lady of much culture and one of the finest amateur painters in Northern New York.

HENRY RODEE.

HENRY RODEE was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., September 29, 1829. He received a good common school education, and early in life entered a grist mill in his native

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

town, where he thoroughly learned this branch of industry. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship, he established himself in business in Morley, where he remained for three years. He then rented a mill in Canton and conducted business there for two years.

Mr. Rodee then purchased a mill property in Potsdam, and shortly afterwards opened and operated two more mills in Plattsburg, which he conducted for nine years; at the expiration of this period he moved into Ogdensburg and purchased the Front Mill, and subsequently the Parker Mill, all now constituting the Rodee prop- erty. This latter venture was destined to be his most successful one, gradually ne- cessitating increased facilities, and more mills, until at present writing his mills con- tain four stones and sixty-six rolls, employment being furnished therein to twenty- five millers. besides coopers, clerks, etc., being one of the largest milling houses in this State, and whose products reach all parts of the country. Mr. Rodee's large business interests command his entire attention, so that of late years he has found no time to accept public office, although some years ago he served as supervisor and in other local offices. His advice and counsel are, however, eagerly sought in the in- terests of local and political affairs.

Mr. Rodee married, in 1856, Elvira McCantey, of Potsdam, and they have two children-a son and a daughter. Mr. Rodee is so well and favorably known through- out Northern New York that it seems superfluous to add that he is also much re- spected and esteemed for his kindly, generous nature, as well as for his unusual busi- ness qualifications.

CHARLES A. KELLOGG.

CHARLES A. KELLOGG Was born in Massena, St. Lawrence county, November 30, 1850. He was educated in the Massena Academy and Fort Edward Institute, and in 1814 began the study of law in the office of L. C. Lang: subsequently he entered the office of L. E. Wadleigh, of Potsdam, and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York in 1877.

In 1878 he began the practice of law in the town of Russell, but moved to Ogdens- burg in the fall of 1881, and here he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession ever since.

In 1887 Mr. Kellogg was elected district attorney and took the office January 1, 1888. He was re-elected in the fall of 1890 and held the office up to December 31, 1893. He has also been supervisor of his ward in this city two years, and is known throughout the county as an able lawyer and a strong Republican. He is promi- nently identified with the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Blue Lodge, chap- ter and commandery in Ogdensburg.

In 1881 Mr. Kellogg married Flora Barnes, of Russell. They have two children- a son and a daughter.

Mr. Kellogg's father was Chester Kellogg, who was also a native of the county. His mother was Lucinda M. Seaton, and daughter of Willard Seaton, who was a prominent man in this county in its early days. Mr. Kellogg's ancestors on both sides came to the county about the year 1800, and on both sides the family has been

BIOGRAPHICAL.

prominent in the affairs of the county from that time down to the present. Mr. Kellogg is a member and also manager of the Ogdensburg Club, the leading social organization of the city.

HENRY R. JAMES.

HENRY RIPLEY JAMES, son of Judge A. B. James, was born in Ogdensburg, February 3, 1839. He completed his education at the old Ogdensburg Academy, and graduated at the age of fifteen years. He early developed wonderful business talents and a taste for journalistic work, which led him with two others to start The Boy's Jour- nal, of which the first copy was issued August 26, 1854. Two years later, through his influenee, The Boy's Journal was changed to the Daily Journal, and in 1858 the company purchased the St. Lawrence Republican and published it in connection with the Daily Journal. Within the year Mr. James became the editor and sole proprietor of both papers, and continued the publication up to 1874, when he sold a portion of the business to others.

Mr. James was a man of untiring industry and had an almost unlimited amount of "push and energy." In addition to publishing the two papers he dealt quite exten- sively in stocks and had an interest in several manufacturing establishments. He al so built and successfully ran a large paper mill at Waddington, and used a portion of its product to supply the paper for his printing house.

He was patriotic in his views, a staunch Republican and a politician, but not an office seeker. He could have had the nomination for a State or United States office had he desired it, but preferred to dictate who should fill such places. As a leader in politieal movements he was unexcelled; in fact, he was a power in the accomplish- ment of any purpose which he believed to be for public or local benefit. He took great interest in St. John's Episcopal Church and was one of the most active mem- bers of the congregation, sparing neither time nor money to further the interest and prosperity of the society.

Mr. James, at the time of his death, had accumulated a handsome property, and had his life been spared a few years longer, he undoubtedly would have become one of the richest men in Northern New York.

The close attention he gave to political matters in the county and State, besides attending to his large correspondence and all the affairs of his increasing business, without the assistance of even a private clerk, obliged him to work as it were day and night, which proved too much for human endurance, and the golden bowl was bro- ken in the prime of his life.

He attended church as usual on Sunday evening, January 30, but on returning home he was suddenly strieken. He died Monday morning, January 31, 1882, leaving a widow, one son, two daughters, and a host of friends to mourn his untimely death.

" The great mountain must crumble,

The strong beam must break, The wise man must wither away like a plant."

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

REV. E. P. WADHAMS.

VERY REV. EDGAR PHILIP WADHAMS, first bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, was the son of General Luman and Lucy Wadhams, who came from Goshen, Conn., in 1803, and settled in the township of Lewis, Essex county, N. Y., where they reared a family of six children.

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Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 71

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