Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 91

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 91
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 91

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).

Rodee, John Victor, Norwood, was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., June 29, 1859, a son of Henry, a native of Clinton county, born in Peru, September 25, 1829. He learned the miller's trade when a young man, and conducted mills in Canton, Morley and Plattsburg. He is now conducting a mill in Ogdensburg. The mother of our subject, Elvira McArthur, was a native of Vergennes. John V. was the second child, the other being a sister, Jennie M. The subject was seven years old when his parents moved to Ogdensburg. He was educated in Ogdensburg High School, and on leaving school his first position was as a bookkeeper with his uncle, Hiram Rodee, at his mill in Norwood, where he was employed until September, 1880, when he became proprietor of the mill and storehouse. In 1886 Mr. Rodee retired from the mill and started a feed store on Mechanic street, Norwood. In 1889 he bought the old storehouse on the north side of the railroad, which he improved by the building of additions, and has since used it as a market for the sale of flour, feed, coal and wood, groceries and provisions, employing three clerks, with two delivery carts, and does a business of $40,000 a year. Mr. Rodee is a member of Norwood Lodge, I. O. O. F. He married in 1884, Lillie M. Inman of Norwood, and they have one child, Ruth Inman Rodee, in her sixth year.

Richards, George Washington, Potsdam, was born in Georgia, Vt., April 28, 1836. The father of our subject, William, was a native of Scotland, who came to this country when a young man and settled in the State of Vermont, conducting a woolen mill at Georgia, a business he always followed until his death in 1873. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Stafford, and she was a widow when she married

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Mr. Richards. They had ten children, six of whom are still living. George W. was the third son. He was only ten years old when his parents moved into this county. They first settled at Brasher Falls, where George was reared and educated in the com- mon schools. At seventeen years of age he went to Potsdam, engaging in the general store of W. A. Sanford, with whom he remained two years. In 1855 he established a store in Brasher Falls, which he conducted until 1858, and for four years was out of business. In 1862 he went to Ogdensburg, where he acted as agent for I. W. Skinner & Co. of Brasher until 1867. In 1868 he formed a partnership with W. A. Sanford in the mercantile business at Potsdam, which lasted until 1873. That year he came to Norwood and was employed in Loveless, Cool & Co.'s lumber office one year. In 1875 he bought a half interest in the store of G. W. Adams & Co., and after the death of Mr. Adams in 1882, assumed the sole proprietorship and has since conducted the busi- ness. Mr. Richards handles hardware exclusively and carries a complete line of shelf and heavy hardware, iron and steel, paints, oils, etc. He has been trustee and presi- dent of the village a number of years, is a director of the State Bank of Norwood, and president of the Norwood Savings, Loan and Building Association. He is a member of the Congregational church, and also of the Masonic fraternity. He married in 1868, Amaretta Estelle Freeman of Ogdensburg, and they had three children, two now liv- ing: George Carl, of the railroad office of Norwood; and Blanche C., who lives at home. Mrs. Richards died April 20, 1885.

Ralph, L. D., Ogdensburg, was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, March 18, 1833, and was of Welsh extraction. His great-grandfather, Captain Ralph, followed the sea for many years. Mr. Ralph's family removed to Canton, St. Lawrence county, during his infancy, there he received a commom school education and in 1851 came to Og- densburg, and entered the establishment of W. H. Young & Co., with whom he remained nine years, then for nine years he was with Skinner in his mercantile estab- ment. In 1869 he established himself in the clothing and gent's furnishing business here, in which he has since that period been very successful. Mr. Ralph married in 1856, Catherine O'Connor, and they have five children : George B., Mrs. Thomas Ouellette, Mrs. John J. Austin, Mrs. John T. Sadler, and Miss Lucy Ralph. Mr. Ralph has served as member of the Ogdensburg Common Council for seven years, for two of which he was mayor pro tem. In 1883 he was defeated by W. J. Averill for the mayoralty by thirty-six votes.

Richards, Alfred, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, May 18, 1854. He. re- ceived his education here and at the age of eighteen began learning the ship carpenter's trade. This trade he has since worked at, gradually accumulating property and building pleasure boats for himself, until now he owns one of the best equipped boat livery establishments in this city. He married in 1884, Miss Amelia St. Ger- main, and they have four children. Alfred Richards is a good workman, and is much liked by all with whom he has business relations.

Reuter, J. E., Ogdensburg, was born in Germany in 1824. He came to this country first in 1847, and after a residence of two years here, returned to the old country. In 1875 he settled permanently in Ogdensburg and entered into the wholesale and retail

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liquor business, handling also a large line of cigars, which business he has since success- fully conducted. Mr. Reuter married in 1850 in Germany, and has three children. He has visited Germany a number of times since his residence in Ogdensburg, and has a large circle of friends in both that country and his adopted home.

Riggs, Ashley S., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, March 8, 1831, a son of Aaron, son of John G., who came to Stockholm in 1820 and settled near Buckton. He had eight children. Aaron was born in Cornish, N. H., March 1, 1807 and came to Stock- holm two years after with his parents. His wife was Arvilla Schellenger, a native of Tunbridge, Vt., born August 12, 1806, and they had eight children. Mr. Riggs was a strong abolitionist. He died December 6, 1881, and his wife July 15, of the same year. Ashley Riggs was reared on a farm and has followed that occupation for many years. He has also worked at saw milling and at the cooper's and carpen- ter's trades. He married in Stockholm, November 1, 1853, Isabel Bolton, a native of England, born October 19, 1827, a daughter of James and Jane (Harrison) Bolton, natives of England who came to this country and settled in Waddington in an early day, and afterwards went to Stockholm where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Riggs have had four children : Chauncey L., Jane E., Francis A. (deceased), and one who died in in- fancy. Mr. Riggs is a Republican and a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, as is also his wife. He has been clerk of that church for some years, and is also secre- tary of the Union Cemetery Association. Hiram M. a brother of subject, served as private in Co. D, 13th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, and was taken prisoner while on picket duty November 6, 1863, Mosby's guerrillas, taken to Richmond prison, where he died February 13, 1864.

Rule, George, Waddington, was born in Scotland, October 21, 1825. His father, John, a native of Hall Rule, Rulewater, Scotland, was there reared and educated. He married Agnes, daughter of Mathew Stewart, who descended from the royal family of Stewarts of Scotland. John Rule and wife had four sons and five daughters. In 1830 Mr. Rule came to Waddington and engaged in farming, which was his life occupation. In early life Mr. Rule was a Democrat, but joined the Republican party after its organ- ization. He was assessor for a number of years. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian church, and Mrs. Rule's father was an elder in the Presbyterian church in Scotland. Mr. Rule died January 16, 1872, and his wife July 16, 1841. George Rule was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Waddington. Farming has been his life occupation. In 1868 he purchased the farm he now owns of 112 acres, of John Brodie, his father-in-law. In 1852 Mr. Rule married Catherine, daughter of John Brodie of Scotland, one of the earliest settlers of Waddington. Mr. Rule and wife had three daughters: Agnes, widow of Silas Parlon, resides in Denver, Col., at present is employed as a professional nurse. Her son, George has been reared by the subject of sketch. Mary and Janette are at home, and the latter is engaged as a teacher of vocal and instrumental music. Mr. Rule is a Republican and has never missed an election since the organization of the party. He and family have always been members of the Presbyterian church of Waddington.

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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Rodger, Rutherford, Hammond, was born in Scotland, July 18, 1821, and came to America in 1831. In 1853 he married Ellen Taylor, and they have five children : Amos, John, David, Helen E. and Nancy. Mr. Rodger has been a most successful man and has accumulated considerable wealth. He has always been active in public affairs. He has been highway commissioner and excise commissioner, and trustee of the Presby- terian church many years.

Russell, George H., Stockholm, was born in Malone, Franklin county, September 19, 1854, a son of Henry E. Russell. At the age of eleven years he worked on a farm, and at twelve years of age commenced working with his father on the railroad, remaining with him for five years. He then engaged with E. S. Crapser as clerk at Stockholm, and remained with him about five years, when he and a brother of Mr. Crapser (C. A. Crapser), bought out the stock of E. S. Crapser, and leased the store one year. The firm was known as Crapser & Russell, and the next year they built a store, part of which is now carried on by George H., and carried on a successful business for about two years, when Mr. Russell sold his half interest. He then made a trip to Minneapo- lis, Minn., and spent nearly two years carrying on a commission business in meat, ganie, fish, oysters, etc. After two years successful business he returned to Stockholm and repurchased his half interest in the concern of Crapser & Russell, and continued about four years, when Mr. Russell purchased Mr. Crapser's half interest and has since carried on a very successful business. He carries an average stock of $20,000. The wife of Mr. Russell is Emma L., sister of E. S. and C. A. Crapser, and they have four children : Bernice H., Gladys E., Corrinne E. and Avis M. Mr. Russell is a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Good Templars of Winthrop Lodge No. 419, and he and wife and Bernice H. are members of the First Congregational church of Stockholm.

Rodger, H. W., Hammond, one of the leading farmers of Hammond. was born in this town, April 10, 1849. He is second son of Robert and Ann (Waddell) Rodger. He has three brothers and two sisters: William R., a farmer of Chippewa Bay, St. Law- rence county ; James G., a clergyman of Ogdensburg; David R., a physician of Wood- bury, Conn .; Elizabeth F., wife of David Moor of North Hammond; and Agnes H., wife of A. H. Bickford of Ogdensburg. H. W. spent one year in Middletown College. He is now a successful business man, carrying on large farming operations and dealing extensively in hay. J. G., after graduating from Yale, studied theology one year in Harvard, Cambridge, the second in Leipsic, Germany, and graduated from Union Sem- inary. D. R. is a graduate of Hamilton College and the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of New York city. The others had the advantage of a good academic education. Robert Rodger (deceased October 20, 1892,) was the fifth of a family of eight boys and four girls. He came to America with his parents from St. Boswells, Scotland, in 1831, when he was eighteen years of age. He and the rest of the family finally settled in Hammond and Gouverneur. Ann Waddell Rodger was the tenth child of a family of four sons and eight daughters, who came to America in 1821 from Jedborough, Scot- land, and settled in Waddington, St. Lawrence county. Mrs. Rodger was three years of age when the family arrived, and is still living. Both the Rodger and Waddell family trees are large. The branches of the fifth generation are beginning to appear

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in various parts of St. Lawrence county and in Illinois. In 1885 H. W. Rodger mar- ried Lottie Gregor. . They have one daughter, Vera May. In 1885 J. G. married Mary A. Waddell. They have three children : Sarah Churchill, Theodora Ann and Hewitt Douglas. In 1886 D. R. married Clara May Aldrich. They have two boys: John Al- drich and Robert Wray. William R. married Margaret Rodger in 1873.

Raymond, George B., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, October 23, 1824. His father, Sewall Raymond, was born in Tyringham, Mass., August 30, 1786, and came to this town April 5, 1805, when eighteen years of age, with his cousin Benjamin Raymond. Sewall accepted the position of clerk in Benjamin Raymond's land office, and while in his employ learned surveying. He made the original survey of the " Russell turnpike," and also the first "mile square " survey of the towns of Hammond and Louisville. As surveyor he took an active part in laying out the village of Potsdam, and in the survey of most of the main roads which to-day lead out to the surrounding towns. On the completion of these roads, it was noticed by all that they centered as the spokes of a wheel to the common hub-Potsdam, and many were the queries made of Benjamin Raymond regarding this (to most people) peculiar system. His reply was that a half a century hence, when a man " faced his horse " on any of these roads, he was sure to find Potsdam his objective point. Sewall was one of the first to see the advantage of a corporation of the village, and was elected a member of the first board of trustees. He was also a highway commissioner of the town. Early joining the Congregational (now Presbyterian) church he was always an earnest worker in its interests, and was trustee and clerk for many years. He conducted a general store at the corner of Mar- ket and Elm streets, erecting the first stone building of this town in 1822. The residence on Elm street was built in 1814. Sewall married, July 1, 1814, Sally, daughter of Judge Roswell Hopkins, of Hopkinton, a native of Amenia, N. Y., one of the first settlers of Hopkinton, and they had seven children, only two of whom are living: George B. and James Sewall Raymond, M. D., a druggist of Ogdensburg. Sewall Raymond died July 30, 1866, his wife having died previously, on December 27, 1841. George B. was educated in the district schools and St. Lawrence Academy, and after leaving the latter, he for a time was in business with his father, and later engaged in the manufacture of gypsum (land plaster) in a mill located where the electric plant now is. He continued in its manufacture until 1877, when he retired from active business. For seven years he has been a member of the board of water commissioners. He married, September 28, 1848, Harriet, daughter of Capt. John and Millie (Hubbard) Goulding, natives of Holden, Mass., who came to Potsdam in 1819. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond have had two children : Charles B., who died at seven years of age, in 1856, and William Sewall, who lives at home with his parents.

Rutherford, Robert, Madrid, was born on a farm in Waddington, January 27, 1836, a son of John, a native of Scotland, born in Roxburyshire in September, 1797. The boyhood of the latter was spent in his native land with the flocks as a shepherd. In 1818 he came to this country, and for two years after landing was employed on the canal at Fort Edward, and during the winter seasons chopped timber and cleared the land, which they afterwards made their farms. John Rutherford took up a tract of

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land in the town of Waddington, to which he added until he became owner of about 200 acres. He was among the first members of the Scotch Presbyterian church, and the whole of his life one of its most liberal supporters. He married soon after settling in this country, Mary Elliot, also a native of Scotland, and they were the parents of seven children: Jane F. Sutherford, of Waddington; John, of the old homestead ; Walter, of Waddington; Nancy Walker, of Canton; Janette Elliot, of Waddington ; Robert, and one who died in infancy. John Rutherford died May 30, 1893, and his wife in 1843. The early life of our subject was spent in the town of Waddington. He was educated at the old St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, and taught school for six winters, working in summer on his father's farm. After his marriage he rented a farm for years, and in 1869 bought 144 acres of William Vietch in Madrid, where he has since made his home. The beautiful residence and good buildings were erected by him. He has also cleared eighteen acres on the farm which he conducts as a dairy, with thirty-five head of full biood Jersey cattle. Mr. Rutherford has never taken an active interest in politics. He has been a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church for twenty-five years. He married, March 12, 1867, Christianna, daughter of Thomas Rutherford, a brother of our subject's father.

Rutherford, W. L., Waddington, was born in Waddington April 6, 1828. His father was Thomas Rutherford, born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, May 12, 1794. He studied for the Presbyterian ministry, but abandoned his profession after coming to the United States. In 1818 Thomas Rutherford, his brother John, a cousin, Thomas Fife, and Adam Oliver came to Washington county and finally to Madrid, now Waddington, and purchased farms adjoining in the then wilderness. Later his father, John Rutherford, with his oldest son, William, came, as did two brothers-in-law of Thomas Rutherford, and all settled on adjoining farms. The grandfather of W. L. Rutherford lived with his daughter, Janet, in the same house with his son, William. Thomas Rutherford married in Washington county, Jane, daughter of John Fenton of that county, a native of Scot- land, and they had four sons and four daughters, five of whom are now living: James died in California, and Janet in Waddington, both unmarried. Agnes, wife of Walter Rutherford died in Waddington. Capt. John T. is a resident of Canton, N. Y. W. L., the subject of this sketch, George F., and Jane, wife of James S. Fife, live in Wadding- ton. Christiana, wife of Robert Rutherford, lives in Madrid. They are all well-to-do farmers. By occupation Thomas Rutherford was a farmer, but from 1841 to 1856 he was a general merchant in Waddington. After retiring from business he spent a few years on his farm and then resided with his daughter, Mrs. Walter Rutherford, till his death, which occurred in October, 1878. In early life he was a Whig, afterwards a Republican. He was an assessor for a number of years. He was an elder and active member of the Presbyterian church. He and his brother John assisted in organizing the Scotch Presbyterian church, which to-day is one of the strong churches of St. Law - rence county. W. L. Rutherford was reared on a farm. He clerked for his father, succeeding him in business in 1856. This he carried on successfully till 1869, since which time he and his brother-in-law, Walter Rutherford, have been engaged in breed- ing Jersey cattle and Shropshire sheep. They were the pioneer breeders of Northern New York and have one of the finest herds in the country, and also the finest flock of

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Shropshire sheep. Mr. Rutherford's farm of eighty acres, inside the corporation of Waddington, is capable of maintaining thirty-five head of cattle and as many sheep. In politics Mr. Rutherford is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian church in which he has been a Sabbath school teacher for forty years. He is a member of the State Agricultural Society and has lectured on the subject of breeding and management of cattle at the Farmers' Institute and before the State Dairyman's Association, of which he is a member, and was president of the St. Lawrence County Dairymen's Associa- tion, which he assisted in organizing. He has always been actively interested in the temperance cause, and is a member of varions organizations for the promotion of temperance. Mr. Rutherford married in Waddington, October 14, 1850, Miss Ellen Pratt, daughter of Amasa Pratt, mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Rutherford, Jerome, Waddington, born in Waddington, April 28, 1836, is a son of George Rutherford. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Early in life he engaged in farming. By industry our subject is to-day classed among the leading farmers of his town, and at present owns 207 acres of land and keeps a dairy of twenty-two cows. October 26, 1864, Mr. Rutherford married Margaret G. Mc Rostie, who is one of the most industrious women of the town. She was born in Waddington, October 26, 1842, and is a daughter of Daniel McRostie, who was born at Perth, Scotland, August 18, 1814. When four years of age he came to Waddington with his parents, James and Margaret McRostie. Here his parents lived and died. Daniel was reared and educated in Waddington and married Jennett Henry, who was born in Scotland, November 23, 1823, and came to Waddington with her parents when seven years of age. Mr. McRostie and wife had one daughter, the wife of our subject. He died April 20, 1842, and Mrs. McRostie married Lemuel B. Randall, born December 6, 1813, and they had ten children. Jerome Rutherford and wife have had five children : Effie A., who died December 18, 1871; Jennie I., Daniel H., Lucius F. and Clarence R. In politics Mr. Rutherford is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian church of Waddington.

Rutherford, William Madrid, was born on the old homestead farm, December 29, 1836, the third son of William and Violet (Amos) Rutherford. His early life was spent on the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools and lived with his pa- rents until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then married and moved on a farm his father had purchased in Madrid, consisting of 145 acres. In 1871 he sold this farm and bought the Captain Clark farm of 120 acres, where he has since made his home, conducting this as a dairy farm with twenty-eight head of cattle, twelve sheep and four horses. He married, April 12, 1865, Sabrina Bennett, daughter of Thomas and Sabrina (Baxter) Bennett, and they have five children : Violet, a student from Potsdam State Normal School, now a teacher in the Institute, North Dakota; Jennie S., who lives at home; William Wallace, who assists his father on the farm; Anna May and Thomas Leslie.

Rutherford, Nelson, Waddington, was born in Waddington, June 6, 1827. Hisfather, George, was born in Scotland, December 30, 1798, and was two years of age when he came to Waddington with his parents, George and Isabella Rutherford, who were among

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the first settlers of the town. They settled on the farm now owned by the family of William Rutherford, and here spent the remainder of their days. Their son, George, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Waddington. He married Margaret Finley, who came from Scotland with her parents to Canada, where her father soon died. George Rutherford and wife had seven sons and two daughters. He was an extensive land owner, having 500 acres in Louisville and Waddington. He was a Whig in early life and afterwards a Republican. He died June 10, 1872, and his wife, November 19, 1869, aged sixty-five years. Nelson Rutherford married Agnes Fisher of Madrid, by whom he had the following children : Frederick F., born April 18, 1857, a farmer of Waddington, who married Sarepta Brown, by whom he has one daughter and one son ; Lewis F., born March 10, 1860, a farmer of Waddington, who married Charlotte Young; George, born February 19, 1866, and Alexander, born September 7, 1869, who live at home. Mr. Rutherford is one of the wealthy farmers of the town, and has 360 acres of land and keeps a dairy of thirty-five cows, one of the largest in town. He has always been a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church.

Rutherford, Thomas F., Madud, was born in Waddington, May 16, 1857. His father, George F., was born in the same town October 10, 1829. He was a son of Thomas Rutherford, second son of John Rutherford. Thomas Rutherford was born in Scotland in 1793, and came to Waddington in 1819. He had resided a short time in Washington county, N. Y., where he married Jane Fenton also a native of Scotland, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. George F. Rutherford was reared on the farm he now owns and was educated in the common schools. Farm- ing has always been his occupation. He has added 170 acres to his father's farm of 189 acres, and he and his son, Adam E. now own 359 acres. Mr. Rutherford has been twice married, first Christy, daughter of Adam Elliott, of Waddington, by whom he had five sons : Thomas F., Adam E., Maurice E., J. William, and one deceased. He is a Prohibitionist and he and family are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rutherford died in 1872, and Mr. Rutherford married Jane, daughter of David Porteous, of Waddington. Thomas F. Rutherford was reared on a farm and educated in the Union Free Schools of Madrid. In connection with farming he followed teach- ing for several years. In 1882 he built a butter factory near his father's farm, and has since carried on a very successful business, making an average of 55,000 pounds yearly. Mr. Rutherford married, December 2, 1885, Minnie H., daughter of John M. Ruther- ford, of Waddington. Mr. Rutherford and wife have had three children : G. Stanley, Stella C., and Lloyd M. Mr. Rutherford is a Republican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church.

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Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York, Part 91

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