The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 114

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098

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Antwerp village public school, which he held for five successive terms. In 1884 he entered the competitive examination for scholarships to Cornell University from Jefferson county, and gained first place against nine competitors.

About this time his father's failing health threw upon him the entire support of his parents, and made it necessary for him to abandon his cherished idea of obtaining a college education. He has, however, en- deavored, by diligent study and application to his chosen work, to supply in a measure what fate has denied him, and to gain rank and position as a teacher.

At the age of 23 he entered the examina- tion for State certificates, and although the

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CHARLES A. SHAVER.

youngest applicant in a class of 19, secured the highest record and passed the entire number of subjects-22-at this one session. In March, 1885, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of school commissioner in the Second Commissioner District of Jefferson county. He resigned his position as principal of the Antwerp graded school and accepted the office. He was elected to the same office in the following November by over 600 majority. In August, 1885, he was married to Hattie Moore, of Antwerp, N. Y.

In September, 1887, before the expiration of his office as school commissioner, he was elected principal of the Clayton graded school, which he has since held, the present

year being the eighth of continuous service in the school. The grade of work in the school at the commencement of his term of service was scarcely in advance of that done in the rural districts. To-day the standard of graduation and of its scholarship is not ex- celled by any school in the county.

Mr. Shaver impresses you at once as a man of thought and erudition. He is most thorough in all he undertakes, and his capacity as a teacher is strikingly demon- strated by his success in every school he has managed. His executive qualities are superior, his learning adequate, his industry predominant-three qualities that command success.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

STEPHEN DECATUR JOHNSTON

WAS the fourth son of that William Johns- ton who was probably the best known man on the St. Lawrence for many years. He was a former resident of Watertown, where ahout 1815-16 he kept a store, and his wife had a millinery shop in connection. The fol- lowing anecdote is told, illustrative of the courage of the man. On one occasion a band of Indians had encamped near his place, and were engaged in selling brooms, baskets, and other articles. During their stay a young Indian became intoxicated, and reeled along the streets, brandishing a big knife, and daring every one to fight him, threatening and gesticulating fiercely. Johnston observed him for a few moments, when he suddenly, and without the appearance of fear, ap-

proached the Indian, struck him a heavy blow in the face, threw him down, and would have given him a severe chastisement, had not the savage begged for mercy. Johnston took his knife, threw it away, and allowed the Indian to go, which he speedily did, completely curing him of his braggadocio.

Stephen D. Johnston was born in Sackets Harbor in 1820. He came to Clayton with his parents from Cape Vincent, after remain- ing on Grindstone Island for a short time. He married Miss Maria Angel in 1846, and they have raised one daughter, Miss Ida E. Mr. Johnston began to keep a hotel in 1849, in the stone bulding now a part of the well- known and justly celebrated Izaak Walton house. He was one of the first to keep a hotel

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designed particularly for summer boarders and transient sportsmen, being contempora- neous with Charles Crossmon, Sr., at Alex- andria Bay, who was probably the earliest pioneer in that business. Mr. Johnston was zealously determined that his house should be select, and one to whichtheads of families could bring their children. The corner where the Walton House stands had been a

country tavern for many years, and this old country hotel he raised to the front rank of excellence and importance. In the midst of his usefulness and honor he was stricken with paralysis, and died within a few hours, February 1st, 1893. His death was a loss to Clayton, for he was a useful and much re- spected citizen. His beloved wife survives him.

WALTON HOUSE

THE WALTON HOUSE. For many years kept by S. D. Johnston, now managed by T. M. Esselstyn.

THE JOHNSTON FAMILY.

THE progenitor of this family, so well- known in Clayton and throughout the north- western part of Jefferson county, was that William Johnston, born in 1782. a native of Canada, who came to Jefferson county in 1812, at the beginning of the war with Great Britain. His wife was Miss Ann Randolph, who was born in 1784. He became an em- ploye of the United States government, and rendered valuable service upon this frontier during the continuance of hostilities. Wm. Johnston, Sr., had these children: James J., Maria (now Mrs. Reed, of Detroit, Mich.), Napoleon B., John, Katherine (who married Chas. L. Hawes, Jr., both of whom are now deceased), Stephen D., and William, Jr.

It is with Jolin Johnston we have more particularly to deal. He was born in Water- town in 1816, receiving his earliest education at Sackets Harbor. He came to Clayton for a residence in 1834. He was a poor boy, glad to row a boat at one dollar a day, or to do anything in the way of honest labor to earn his bread. Gradually he grew into the confidence of the public. On reaching his majority he began to keep a store at the foot

of James street, and in the rear of his store was the steamship wharf, over which crossed the passengers and freight traffic of the town. He was elected Deputy Collector of the port during the administrations of Polk, Pierce and Buchanan. He was for many years Supervisor for Clayton, and has held many other town offices. He has now just passed his 78th birthday, is every day upon the streets, a well-preserved man, able to attend to business, and taking a keen interest in all that is transpiring. An unfortunate accident to one of his limbs embarasses his locomotion, but in all other respects he is like the aver- age man at 60 years of age. Mr. Johnston, through all these years, has been an un- terrified Democrat, upholding that party through all its peculiar history and ter- giversation, for it has sometimes supported what at other times it has opposed; but it Inas ever been the party with which a poor man could affiliate, having been always and largely a "people's party." Mr. Johnston was married in 1845 to Miss Emily Jane Hawes, who was born in 1817. She has been an exemplary, devoted wife.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

MELZAR FOWLER.

MELZAR FOWLER, now only dimly remem- bered by the older people of Jefferson county, N. Y., was born in Edinburgh, Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1803, and came to Depauville in the early twenties with his parents, Anson Fowler and Maria Esselstyn Fowler. His sister Jane (who afterwards married El- dridge G. Merick) also accompanied him, and his brother John. The father com- menced a mercantile business in Depau- ville, a new settlement which had just begun to develop its lumbering interest. This settlement was on the rapids of Catfish creek, which at that time was a stream of fair size, with sufficient water to float tim- ber down to its mouth at Lake Ontario - not at all resembling the greatly diminished stream it now appears, after having its banks, along its whole course, denuded of timber. The care of this business early fell upon Melzar, the eldest son, and when he was about twenty years of age he bore the respon- sibility of his father's mercantile affairs.

After some years, wishing to extend his operations, Melzar established a store at Brownville, and went there to live, still maintaining the supervision of the store at Depauville. His younger brother, John, also came to Brownville as a clerk, and was given an interest in the business.

At that time one branch of Mr. Fowler's mercantile business was the manufacture of pearl ash from wood ashes. The forests of Jefferson county furnished the only fuel in those days, and the people of the country saved their ashes and sold them to him, and, in a building for the purpose, he converted these ashes into pearl ash, which was an im- portant article of commerce, and found steady market in New York.

Shortly after establishing himself at Brownville, Melzar married Miss Clarissa Spicer, a sister of Mr. Silas Spicer, of Perch River, and during their residence there their two children, Eldridge and Nettie. were horn. During these years Melzar enlarged his field of operation at Depauville by en- gaging with Mr. Merick in the business of getting out oak timber and rafting it to the Quebec market. In the spring of 1835 he moved his family to Depauville, giving up the business in Brownville in order that he might give his entire attention to the Depau- ville operations, and be with his aged par- ents, while John went to Clayton in the in- terest of Smith & Merick.

At that early day, Watertown was, as it is now, the business centre for the surround- ing country, the only method of travel be- ing by private conveyance. It was while

going there on business in August, 1835, soon after the family moved to Depauville, that Mr. Fowler had the great misfortune to have a pair of horses, one of which was vicious and unreliable.

He stopped at a hotel, and when it came time to feed the animal, the hostler was afraid to enter the stall, and called Mr. Fow- ler from the hotel, who at once took the feed-measure in his hand and entered the stall. The vicious horse, not recognizing his master, dealt him a blow with one of his fore feet, which proved fatal in three days. Every thing was done for Mr. Fowler that could be known. but the blow had produced an internal rupture.

Thus died, in the flower of his youth, and in the midst of his usefulness, one who had the warm regard of all his business associ- ates, and whose morning of life was full of promise. So high did he stand in the re- gard of his neighbors that parents would come to Mr. Fowler, while a merchant, and earnestly ask him to receive their sons into his'store to teach them the business, because of his good training on every side of a boy's character.

His death, so sudden, so tragical, elicited universal regret and sympathy. His wife and her two children remained at Depauville, but the faithful mother never was herself again. A woman of superior mental ability and personal beauty, and with a natural re- finement much beyond most of those by whom she was surrounded, her loss wore upon her energies. and she survived her hus- band only seven years.

The two children, Eldridge and Nettie, thus left orphans at the age of nine and seven years, respectively, were tenderly cared for by their grandmother Fowler and their uncle, Hon. E. G. Merick.

Eldridge went later to live in the family of Mr. Hugh Smith, of Perch River, and afterwards with his Uncle John Fowler until coming of age, when he went West, where he has since lived, and become identi- fied with large lumber and land interests in Michigan, Minnesota and Canada.

The daughter grew to womanhood in the home of her grandparents, and her uncle and aunt Merick, receiving at their lands the best educational advantages. She mar- ried Cyrus H. McCormick, of reaper fame. Both as the right hand helper of her hus- band during his life time, and later in the administration of his estate (with her son Cyrus), she has been called to bear some of the heavier responsibilities of life.

COLONEL ERASTUS WRIGHT.

AN interesting character in the town of Clayton is Colonel Erastus Wright, of De- pauville. He was born in Russia, Herkimer county, N. Y., December 21, 1809. His father, Daniel Wright, came into Herkimer

county from Vermont, though his native State was Rhode Island. He was descended from Capt. Peter Wright, who served in the Revolutionary army. Daniel Wright, father of our subject, was also Colonel of a regi-

MR. & MRS. COL. WRIGHT, OF DEPAUVILLE, N. Y.

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CLAYTON.

ment in Herkimer county. This regiment was called out for service, and made the march from Herkimer county through a road which for many miles (over certain portions) was almost a wilderness.

Colonel Erastus Wright had been bred a carpenter and mill-wright, and came into Jefferson county to better his condition. He settled in Depauville, and that has been his home for over 60 years. He has always been an active man, diligent in business, prompt and honorable. He has been an ex- tensive builder, having the contract for the First Baptist Church at Lafargeville, in 1837, and the Baptist Church at Perch River, and many dwellings and other buildings through- out the towns of Orleans and Clayton.

He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for 40 years, a steward for 10 years.

In 1831, Colonel Wright was married to Clarissa Prindle, by whom he had four chil- dren. She died in 1839. In 1840 he married Miss Elizabeth Nash, and they have had one son. Colonel Wright's eldest son enlisted in 1863, in the 18th N. Y. Cavalry, belonging to Capt. Joseph Simpson's company. He

died in hospital in St. Louis in 1864. The martial spirit in this interesting family would have perhaps been unheralded had not death claimed for it the dread tribute which the exigencies of the War of the Rebellion exacted from so many families in the free North.

Colonel Wright was drafted by the gov- ernment during the so-called "Patriot " war upon the northern frontier, in 1837, serving 21 days. For this service each drafted man received a warrant for 160 acres of land.

As an enlightened Christian citizen, as an excellent mechanic, and as a patriot who gave his son to the Union army, Colonel Wright stauds among the highest in his town, and is enjoying the affectionate re- gard of all his neighbors and associates. He and his beloved partner are now passing down the decline of life, calmly awaiting the summons which must come to all; but they are ready for the journey, expecting to meet in the other land the loved ones who were the companions of their earlier days, who have already entered upon their possessions there.

THE REES FAMILY.

THOMAS REES, of Clayton, was born in 1819, in South Wales. He was the son of Thomas Rees, who came to this country from South Wales, England, in 1832. After remaining a year in New York city he came to what was then known as French Creek, consuming 14 days in the journey, by way of canal from Albany to Oswego, thence by schooner to Clayton. Thomas Rees, Sr., died in 1841, much respected. His monu- ment is a feature in the Clayton cemetery.

Thomas, the junior, came with his father to Clayton, being then in his 13th year. His first experience was upon a piece of land near Clayton, but his father soon purchased another farm, and upon that land was built the family residence. It is still owned by heirs of the original Thomas Rees. Remain- ing upon the farm for a few years, he finally entered the employ of Mr. E. G. Merick, the firm afterward changing to E. G. Merick & Co. He remained in that firm until lie be- came a partner, having purchased a one- fourth interest. His relation with the firm continued until 1865, when Mr. Rees pur- chased the whole business, Mr. Merick hav- ing in the meantime removed to Detroit. One-halt of this business was sold to Calvin and Breck, of Garden Island. This lumber- ing business continued for 15 years, until the scarcity of timber, combined with foolish tariff laws, gave a death-blow to that indus- try upon the St. Lawrence.

Mr. Rees has been permanently retired from active pursuits for nearly 13 years, but is yet active and visible every day upon the streets. His erect figure and stalwart frame promise many years of life and use- fulness. He has been twice married. In 1845 he married Miss Alzada Hudson, who

died in 1867. In 1870 he married Miss Alicia S. Radcliffe, widow of Captain Thomas Rad- cliffe.

Mr. Rees was prominently connected with building the large steamers which made the Clayton ship-yard so celebrated upon the river. Those boats were the honest pride of all these inland waters, and reflected great credit upon all concerned in their construc- tion. Their memory is still cherished. The last sight the writer had of one of these fine boats, was that of the New York, chartered by the government as a transport boat. She was lying in the Potomac river, above Belle Isle, in the winter of 1863.

In connection with this family we may state that Mr. Merick, when in Clayton, was noted for discovering and bringing forward able men to aid him in his large enterprises. He made no mistake in receiving Thomas Rees into his firm, as was evidenced by the success which followed in their construction of the finest fleet upon the great river.

CHARLES E. REES, son of Thomas, mar- ried Mary, daughter of Richard M. and Margaret (Reed) Esselstyn, by whom he had three children: Alzada, Sherman and Galen. He is a grocer and ship chandler in Clayton village. William H. Rees, son of Thomas, was born in Clayton, where he married Charlotte C., daughter of Perry and Harriet Caswell, hy whom he had the following chil- dren: Edna A., Thomas P. and Carl R., who survive; and Ethel, Zelica and Ruby, deceased. Mr. Rees read law with H. E. Morse, of Clayton, for three years, and in 1878 was admitted to the bar, and has since practiced in this town. He has been presi- dent of the village, supervisor, justice of the peace and notary public.

540

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

GEORGE H. STROUGH

Is one of the most active and energetic of the business men of Clayton. He is of Ger- man and English descent. He is the fifth son and tenth child of Daniel and Anna (Wis- well) Strough, who came to this county from Herkimer in 1820. He married Bersina M. Ballard and they have three children: Arthur B., bookkeeper for Strough & Brook; Anna B. (Mrs. W. W. Gillett, of Spokane, Wash- ington), and Metta V., a student in her graduating year, at the Potsdam Normal School.

Naturally anxious to secure data concern- ing such a man as Mr. Strough, we called on him for a statement of facts concerning his life, and received the following brief answer, which we print without change, remarking,

however, that Mr. S. was one of the young men whom we knew when in business at Theresa, and that his prominence and ability were predicted by us in his youth, for his studious disposition and persistency in whatever he undertook clearly shadowed forth his future character. He certainly " justifies the honors he has gained."

Mr. Strough has been a welcome writer for tlie press, displaying considerable of the editorial ability that has characterized so many Theresa men.

MAJOR JOHN A, HADDOCK, Watertown, N. Y.

Dear Sir-My life presents few silent points. I farmed it for 40 years; taught

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CLAYTON.

school 30 years; was school commissioner in the 3d Assembly District six years ; super- visor of Clayton one year; railroad commis- sioner in Orleans one term, and helped make the Orleans bonds; am railroad commis- sioner in Clayton at the present time, and have helped to pay the old Clayton seven per cent. bonds; sold meats and provisions in Watertown one year, and have sold lumber and other builders' supplies in Clayton for 14 years. My father and mother were healthy people and both lived to 82. I do not use

tobacco or get drunk; am 58 and healthy, and, unless something happens, I do not ex- pect to offer up my checks under 20 years. I disapprove of biographical sketches that no- body cares to read, and if you utilize this letter or any part of it in your History, I ask as a special favor that my most humble apology be permitted to accompany it to the public.

Respectfully yours,

GRO. H. STROUOH. CLAYTON, October 8, 1894.

ALDEN FARNSWORTH BARKER.

ALDEN FARNSWORTH BARKER was born October 21, 1822, in the town of Walden, Caledonia county, Vermont. He was the eldest of nine children. His parents were descended from English stock, and were as rugged and hardy as the hills that witnessed the birth of their children. In Walden young Alden passed his early boyhood, doing chores on the homestead and going to the district school at odd intervals, until 1833, when 11 years of age, he went to the village of Pierrepont, St. Lawrence county, this State, to work on his father's farm of 60 acres, and the following year he went to the town of Potsdam, to live with Aaron Eddy, and in May, 1837, moved with Mr. Eddy to Clayton and was clerk in the grocery store of A. & L. Eddy, of that place, until 1842, when, with his savings, aggregating the modest sum of $100, and the credit obtained through strict honesty and sober and industrious habits, he purchased the stock of that firm, and thus may be said to have got his first start in business. In August, 1844, he mar- ried Laura D. Smith, who was then teaching a district school in the town of Clayton, a daughter of the Hon. Benjamin Smith, of Russell, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Three sons and one daughter have been the issue of this marriage, all of whom reside in Clayton.

Henry S. Barker, the eldest son, is engaged in merchandise in Clayton. Seymour B. Barker, next youngest, is general manager of the Thousand Island Electric Light Co., and is engaged also in the vessel business. Frank D. Barker, the youngest son, is an alumnus of the Syracuse University and the Albany Law School, and occupied the position of deputy collector of customs at Clayton, to which office he was appointed in October, 1885, under President Cleveland's administra- tion. Celinda, the daughter and youngest child, is married to Solon H. Johnson, only son of the Hon. James Johnson, of Clayton.

Mr. Barker continued in the grocery trade at the old stand, known as the "Cataract House," on Water street, until 1845, when he, together with A. & L. Eddy, put up the building now known as the " Hayes House," and conducted the business with them until 1847, when he built a store of his own and carried on a general merchandise business in

this building until it was destroyed by the great fire of August, 1853, but this was re- placed by a brick structure the following year, and which is still standing. In 1856 he formed a partnership with Simon D. Forbes, then a clerk in the store, and continued this relationship up to the year 1860, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Barker con- tinuing the business, together with other and larger interests, up to the year 1873, when he was succeeded by his sons, H. S. and S. B. Barker.

In 1856 Mr. Barker purchased his first in- terest in vessels, engaging in the grain trade on the chain of lakes between Chicago and Ogdensburg. During the years 1863, 1867, and 1868, respectively, and while having. an interest in other vessels, he built at Clayton the schooners Portland, Frank D. Barker, and Hoboken, and continued in the business up to the year 1887.

But the enterprise with which Mr. Barker's name is most prominently associated, was the building of the Clayton and Theresa Railroad. The bonding of the several towns along the line for this project was com- menced in 1871, but on account of the strong opposition made by many of the tax- payers it was only accomplished after a hard- fought and closely contested struggle. But the organization of the Clayton & Theresa Railroad Co. was effected that year, with Mr. Barker as president, and Russell B Biddlecom, of the town of Orleans, as secre- tary and treasurer, which respective offices these gentlemen held until the road was merged into that of the Utica & Black River Railroad, in 1885. The building of the road was commenced soon after the towns were bonded, was pushed forward with great vigor, and was completed in October, 1873, but only after many obstacles had been over- come. An appeal had been taken from the decision of Judge Sawyer (then county judge), that the several towns along the line had taken all the necessary steps to qualify them to issue bonds in aid of the construc- tion of this road, and while this appeal was pending, the bonds, which nevertheless had been issued, had no market value. As it was necessary to realize on these bonds to buy the iron and carry forward the project, Mr.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY

Barker bought $25,000 of them with his own means, and thus enabled the company to carry on the work toa successful termination. It is not too much to say that while this road, which has been a great source of the pros- perity of the towns of Clayton and Orleans for the past 24 years, would have ultimately been built in the then distant future, its building would have undoubtedly been many years postponed had it not been for the in- domitable pluek and preseverance, the untir- ing labors and generous support of Alden F. Barker and his able coadjutor, Russell B. Biddlecom.

In 1884 Mr. Barker associated himself with the Folger Bros., of Kingston, Canada, in building the magnificent steamer St. Law- rence, to take the place of the Island Belle, and an organization was effected under the name of the "Thousand Island Steamboat Company," which still owns this steamer with several others, controlling as it does most of the steamboat traffic on the river. Mr. Barker is at present vice-president of this company. Prior to 1876 Clayton had no

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 114

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823- Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company Number of Pages: 1098

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098