The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 115

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

USA > New York > Jefferson County > The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894 > Part 115

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bank, but that year Mr. Barker formed a partnership with R. P. Grant and conducted a private bank, styled the Bank of Clayton, Mr. Barker being the president and Mr. Grant cashier, and continuing the same until January, 1883, when it was organized into a State bank, and with the same officers. In July of the following year, Mr. Barker sold his interest in the bank, and in December fol- lowing organized a private bank known as the "Citizens' Bank," and conducted the same to October, 1887, when he organized the "First National Bank of Clayton, with over 70 stockholders and a capital of $50,000, and with himself as president; William Reese, vice president ; W. H. Morse, cashier, and A. A. Warner, assistant cashier, who are the present offieers of the bank. It is doing a large and profitable business, and is now counted one of the leading financial institu- tions of the county. Mr. Barker is also a trustee of the Jefferson County Savings Bank. Any account of Mr. Barker's suceess- ful business career is largely the history of the village of Clayton.

THE FRAME FAMILY.

LUKE E. FRAME, M. D., son of Dr. William Frame, was born in Russia, Herki- mer county, N. Y., and began the study of medieine in 1840 with his father. He attend- ed lectures at Geneva Medical College, and graduated from there in 1844. He located in Depauville, N. Y., where he died March 20, 1883, aged 71 years. Dr. Frame practiced there 37 years. He was supervisor of the town, postmaster at Depauville, and during the Patriot War in 1838 was adjutant of the 225th Regiment State Militia. He became a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, June 8, 1869 ; was its viee-president in 1870, and its president in 1878. He has two sons, Silas Wright Frame, of Belleville, and Solomon V. Frame, of Clayton, both of whom are physicians. Dr. Frame was an unterrified Democrat, affiliating with the Free-soil branch of that party, from which at last sprang the Republican organization.

He was supervisor of the town of Clayton for five consecutive years, and was president of the board of supervisors one session.

The father of Luke E. Frame was born in Vermont, and graduated from Fairfield Col- lege, Herkimer county. Practiced in Russia, Herkimer county, until 1822, in which year he removed to Depauville. He took the place of old Dr. Page, the first physician in Depauville. His ride extended from Brown- ville, Pt. Peninsula, and as far north and west as Gananoque, in Canada. He died in 1848, at Omar, away from home, being taken suddenly ill while upon a tour among his patients

Dr. Solomon V. Frame, now a resident of Clayton, son of Dr. Luke E., was assistant surgeon in the 14th New York Heavy Artil- lery, and was afterwards transferred to the 16th Heavy, having been mustered out with that organization.

SOLON H. JOHNSON

WAS born at Depauville, Jefferson county, N. Y., September 8, 1855. Is son of Hon. James Johnson. Was married December 31st, 1882, to Celinda Barker, only daughter of Alden F. Barker, President of the First National Bank, Clayton, N. Y. Two daughters bless their happy home : Kittie, aged 10, and Beulah, aged 8 years. He lived in Depauville until he was 11 years old, at which time his father was elected sheriff of Jefferson county and moved to Watertown, N. Y., where he remained three years, and re-

turned to Clayton, attending the publie school and finishing his studies at Hungerford Col -. legiate Institute, at Adams, N. Y. After- ward he engaged in business with his father until 1881, when he entered the employ of A. P. Tuller & Co., Rome, N. Y. Remained in their employ five years, returning to his former home in Clayton to engage in busi- ness with his father.

Was appointed postmaster of Clayton by President Harrison in September, 1890, serv- ing in that capacity until 1895. His efficiency

CLAYTON.

543

SOLON H. JOHNSON.

and business methods have placed the post- office at Clayton upon a par with any office of its size in the country, and for which he has been repeatedly complimented by officers of the postoffice department, and received the encomiums of the press and citizens of Clayton, regardless of politics. He is a staunch Republican. Mrs. Elsie McCarn is his reliable and capable assistant in the post- office. He is a very prominent member of the Independent Order of Foresters. While acting in the capacity of Representative of his Court to the original formation of the High Court of New York, held at Rochester February 27th, 1890, he was unanimously chosen its first Past High Chief Ranger, in which capacity he served continuously until 1893, when he was succeeded by the Hon. Jacob Stern, Judge of the Surrogate's Court, of Buffalo, N. Y. Owing to the unavoid-

able absence of his superior officer, Hon. Jacob Stern, he acted as High Chief Ranger at three sessions of the High Court, and re- flected great credit upon himself for his efficiency as a presiding officer. At the an- nual session of the High Court, held in Utica in 1893, he not only secured through his own efforts the holding of the next session of the High Court at the place of his residence, but was honored by his brethren, who elected him by a complimentary ballot as Representa- tive to the Supreme Court, held in Chicago, Ill., September 1st, 1893, and, at the High Court meeting held in Clayton, September 4th and 5th, 1894, was again elected Repre- sentative to the Supreme Court to be held in London, England, July, 1895. He occupies the position of Noble Grand of Clayton Lodge, 539, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a hard worker in his own lodge.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY. .

FAMILY SKETCHES.

JOHN NORTON, JR., was born in Herkimer county in 1798, and came to Clayton with his father, from Brownville, in 1816, their only guide being "blazed" trees. His wife, Susan Smith, of Norway, N. Y., daughter of David and Susannah (Hathaway) Smith, was born in 1800. They were married in 1823, and their children were Maryette, David 1st, David 2d, Isaac S., Lucena, Eliza, Irene, and George A., born July 25, 1841. Lucena, Eliza, and George A. still reside in Clayton, on the farm settled by their grandfather.

ANTHONY ATWOOD, a native of Vermont, was one of the early settlers of Clayton. He came here in 1817, and located at Depauville, where he resided until the time of his death. At the time of his settlement here there were no houses where the village of Clayton now is. His wife, Polly, bore him six children. Isaac Atwood was born in Vermont, and came to Clayton with his father. He mar- ried Luthera Stetson, and their children are Jeanette, Charles, James L. and Montreville W. The latter, who was born in Clayton, married Emma, daughter of Isaac and Ada- line (Hudson) Cleveland, of this town, and they have a daughter, Adaline. James L. Atwood married Arvilla, daughter of Fran- cis Dodge, and their children are Celia and Isaac. Heis a hardware merchant, in com- pany with his brother, Montreville W., and has been in business since 1879.

ELKANAH CORBIN, a native of Russia, N. Y., came to Clayton in 1818, and died here in 1864, aged 75 years. He married Lucy A. Clark, and their children were Simon J., Ira H., Melzar, Irving and Alanson C. The latter was born in the town of Russia, and when 7 years of age came to Clayton with his parents. He married Eliza, daughter of Elijah and Betsey (Howe) Bowe, of Troy, N. Y., who bore him 10 children, viz : Eliza- beth, Lucy A., Caroline, Harriet, Ellen, Flora, Emily, Salomia, Sherman and James H. The latter, who was born in Clayton, married Caroline A., daughter of Calvin and Zaire A. (Romain) Guiteau, of Cape Vincent.

AMOS T. PUTNAM was born in Clayton and married, first, Eliza H., daughter of Potter and Nancy (Hart) Sheldon, by whom he had a daughter, Georgianna, and second, Harriet, adopted daughter of Isaac and Mary (Bab- cock) Carter. He is a farmer on road 51, where he has resided 36 years. Albert H. was born in Clayton, where he married Susan, daughter of John and Magdalene (Consaul) Lingenfelter, July 29, 1883, and they have three children. He resides in Clayton on the homestead farm on road 53.

PAGE ACKERT was born in Clayton, Octo- her 8, 1824. He married Martha E., daugh- ter of Benjamin and Florenza (Ellsworth) Pierce, of Cape Vincent. He occupies the homestead farm of his father on road 27. Benjamin Pierce was a native of Connecti- cut, and served in the Revolutionary War ..

His son, Benjamin served at Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812, and drew a pension.

PHILANDER A. SPENCER was born in C'lay- ton in 1833. He married Sophia D., daugh- ter of Lewis Grace, of Madison county. Mr. Spencer served in Co. G, 186th N. Y. Vols .. and was honorably discharged in June, 1865, and is now drawing a pension.

WILLIAM BASS was born on Grindstone Island in May, 1824. He married Sarah M., daughter of Daniel and Arvilla (Marsh) Whitney, of Brownville. Mr. and Mrs. Bass reside in Clayton. They occupy a farm on road 48, where they have resided 42 years.

ARCHIBALD MARSHALL removed from Galloe Island to Clayton in 1820, and died here in 1886, aged 80 years. Mr. Marshall was a captain and river pilot. When he re- moved to Clayton there was but one log house in the village, located where Strough & Brooks' sash and blind factory now is. He married Julia A., daughter of William and Ann (Whitney) Hawes, of Cleveland, Ohio, by whom he had three children-Emma J., Charles M. and Willard R. His widow sur- vives.

DANIEL HILL, JR., was born in Saratoga, N. Y., located in Watertown in 1815, and in 1822 removed to Clayton, where he died in 1866, aged 79 years. He married Margaret Stevenson, of Saratoga City, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Stevenson, and they had six children. Margaret Hill married Alanson P., son of Gideon and Lucy (Cong- don) Rogers, and their children are Winfield and Ella.

OREN W. SMITH was postmaster at Clayton for 20 years, and served as coroner several years. He served in the Patriot War in 1838, and was taken prisoner at Prescott, in what was known as the "Wind-Mill Fight," and with 100 others was sentenced to death. Ilis sentence, with 80 others, was commuted to banishment for life, and he was transported to Van Diemen's Land. After living five years at Van Diemen's Land, he was par- doned by Queen Victoria, through the inter- cession of friends in Canada, and returned to Clayton, where he now resides.

FRANK D. LOWE, who was born in Clay- ton, married Gertrude, daughter of Sanford and Betsy (Rice) Plumb, of this town, and they have a son, Ross B. Mr. Lowe now occupies the homestead farm upon which he was born.

IRA SYLVESTER was born in Pittsfield, Vt., in 1826, and came to Clayton with his father. He married Achsa, daughter of Hannibal and Lois (Greenleaf) Dixon, of Orleans, and their children are William, Nettie M., Charles E., and Dr. George E. Mr. Sylvester occu- pies the homestead farm on road 18. Charles E. Sylvester married Alice, daughter of James and Lucretia (Evans) Babcock, of Clayton, and they bave a son, Elwin J. He is a farmer in this town.

545

CLAYTON.

STEPHEN HALE removed from Brownville to Clayton in 1835, and was engaged in mer- cantile business until 1873, when he retired. He married Betsey D., daughter of Seabury and Hannah Allen, of Galaway, N. Y., and their children are Carrie, Lucy, John and George. The latter is a clerk in the Michigan Central Railroad office at Detroit.

HENRY ELLIOTT was born in Brockville in 1814, and in 1836 located in Clayton. He married Catherine Carkey, of Potsdam, N. Y., daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Dubois) Carkey, who were natives of France. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott reside in this town, aged re- spectively 75 and 73 years. William Elliott was born in Clayton, and married Helen, daughter of James and Sally (Lamphear) Carey, of Port Huron, Mich., and is now a captain on the lakes, where he has been sail- ing for 34 years. He resides in Clayton village. The Elliott family is of English origin. Henry J. Elliott married Ella, daughter of Jacob and Jane Hubbard, of Clayton, who bore him three children. He has been a sailor on the lakes since 1868. He resides in Clayton village.

WILLIAM H. LINGENFELTER was born in Montgomery county, and in 1837 located in Clayton and engaged in blacksmithing. He occupies a farm on road 35, in this town, where he has resided 30 years. He served as supervisor two years, and has been assessor nine years. His son, Merritt E., married Frankie A., daughter of Almond and Jane (Saulsbury) Barney, of Clayton, January 10th, 1877, by whom he had a son, A. Lee. He is also a farmer.

HON. ELI SEEBER was born January 24, 1838. In 1860 he married Amanda Lewis, daughter of John and Mary, and settled at Depauville, where he now resides. He fol- lowed the business of milling until 10 years ago, when he engaged in farming. He was supervisor of the town in 1878, '81, '82, and '83, and represented the Second Assembly district in the Legislature in 1884 and '85. He has a family of three children, Mary (Mrs. Clarence Whittier), and Clarence and Willis E., who live at home.

JOSEPH THIBAULT was born in Sorel, and in May, 1840, located in Clayton, where he now resides. He married Harriet, daugh- ter of John and Ellen (Dufault) Bertrand, of this town, and their children are Joseph, Anthony, George, Louise, John, Philemon, Anna and Bruno. Mr. Thibault has been a blacksmith in Clayton village for the past 38 years.

ELIJAH MCCARN was born in Montgomery county, and came to Clayton in 1842. He was the first permanent settler on the farm on road 22, now known as the McCarn farm. He married Susan, daughter of Adolph and Sally (Yates) Seeber, of Canajobarie, N. Y. Mr. McCarn has retired from business and resides in Clayton village. Nelson E. Mc- Carn has been editor of the interesting weekly newspaper On-the-St. Lawrence, published in Clayton village.

MARTIN W. WRIGHT was born in Oswego county, and in 1846 located in Clayton, where he married Mary, daughter of Amasa and Clarissa (Hubbard) Smith, by whom he had five children, viz: Mary E., Sarah L., Martin W., Anna V. and Beeri E. Mr. Wright is a farmer on road 56, where he has resided since 1870.

WILLIAM O'TOOLE was born in Constable- ville, N. Y. He married Mary, daughter of Alexander and Eliza (Delany) Manson, of Macomb, N. Y., by whom he had three children-Edward W., Anna and Sarah E. Mr. O'Toole was captain of the schooner Hartford, which foundered in October; 1894, with all on board.

ALEXANDER MANSON was born in Halkirk, Scotland, emigrated to Quebec in 1840, and in 1848 located in Clayton, where he married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Mary (Fitzpatrick) Delaney. Their children are John W., Mary H., Ann, Ellen, James A., Elizabeth, Michael D., William P., Margaret J. and Janette J. Mr. Manson has resided in Clayton village since 1860. Previous to residing in Clayton, Mr. Manson resided in Theresa 10 years He has been a sailor and farmer, and is now a merchant tailor.

An unusually afflictive calamity overtook the family of Mr. Manson in the month of October, 1894. His daughter had married William O'Toole, captain of the schooner Hartford, and he was making a voyage from the upper end of Lake Ontario to Clayton, his home. His wife and infant daughter were with him on the trip. A very severe gale had been blowing for several days, when it came out that the Hartford had foundered, with all on board, off Sandy Point, near the mouth of Little Sandy Creek. The Hartford was observed at the life-saving sration to be acting strangely, and was ap- parently unmanageable, and showing signals of distress. When about two miles off the shore she went down with all on board, causing a loss of eight lives. Only the little infant's body has ever been recovered. The O'Toole's left a family of five small children.

DANIEL GARLOCK was born in Danube, N. Y., and came to Clayton in 1851. He mar- ried Almira Zoller, of Pamelia, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Rider) Zoller, and their children are Lucinda, Hattie, Rhoda, Nancy, Ella, Emma and Alvin. The latter was born in Danube, N. Y., and came to Clayton with his father. He married Addie, daughter of Ephraim and Alvira (Osborn) Halliday, of Clayton, and his children are Lester, Hattie, Charles. George, Jay and Addie. His wife died in February, 1885, aged 37 years. He is a farmer on road 6, in this town. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Garlock still occupy the farm on road 8, where they have resided 35 years.

HENRY HEYL was born in Germany, and when 28 years of age located in Orleans, subsequently removing to Clayton, where he died in 1879, aged 74 years. He married Catharine Heldt, of Orleans, and their chil- dren were Philip, George, Wendle, Catherine,

546

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

Henrietta, Maria and Henry. The latter was born in Orleans, and now occupies the home- stead farm on road 77, in this town. He has served the town as justice of the peace and highway cemmissioner.

SYLVESTER WALRATH was born in St. Johnsville, and in 1855 located in Clayton. He married, first, Laney Gray; second, Grace Perry, and third, Eliza Osborn, and his children were George H., Maryette, Lutheria, Ella, Rose, Merrett S., Fred, Ambrose and Grace. He resides in the vil- lage of Depauville. Mr. George H. Walrath served in the late war, attained the rank of second lieutenant, and died of typhoid fever at Fortress Monroe. Rose Walrath married Frank C. Fox, who died in Idaho in 1887, aged 35 years. She had two children, Hattie and Winfield H., and resides in Watertown.

JOHN SWART was born in the town of Florida, and came to Clayton in 1856, where he now resides. He married Emily, daughter of Benjamin and Emily (Stephens) Kent, of Clayton, by whom he has two daughters, Gertrude and Mamie. Gertrude married Edgar A. Burlingame, who is one of the merchants of Clayton village.

JOHN C. SHIRE was born in Sheffield, Canada, and in 1857 located in Clayton, where he now resides. He married Almira, daughter of Alonzo and Caroline (Neely) Wheeler, of Kingston, Canada, by whom he has a daughter, Ida M., who married Horace G. Gould, of Clayton.

JOHN J. ALLEN was born in Stephentown, and in 1859 came to Clayton. He married Alma J. Wheeler, of Clinton, N. Y., daugh- ter of Arnold and Hannah (Dilley) Wheeler, and their children are Sarah J. Smith, of Le- Raysville, Ida May and John J., Jr. John J. Allen served in the late war, in the Christ- ian and Sanitary commission, is a Freewill Baptist clergyman, and resides in Depau- ville, where he has preached several years. He was located in Philadelphia four years ; Byron, N. Y., two years; Three Mile Bay, four years ; Scriba, N. Y., four years; Addi- son, N. Y., two years; German Flats, N. Y., three years; Middleville, N. Y., one year, and Newville, two years.

JOHN GRAY was born in Clyde, N. Y., and in 1866 came to Clayton. He married Nancy, daughter of Lodowiok and Julia (Suits) Dil- lon, of Alexandria, and their children are Frederick, Nettie, George, Richard, Edith and Burton. Mr. Gray is a farmer, on road 39, in Clayton, where he has resided 18 years. He served in the Civil War in Co. K., 10th N. Y. H. A., three years, and was honorably discharged.

JAMES R. BABCOCK married Lucretia, daughter of Columbus and Friendley (Fisher) Evans, of Alexandria, and their children are De Alton E., Allis S., Julia M., Sarah P. and Jennie M. Mr. Babcock is a farmer on road 39. In 1875 he built the Clayton cheese factory, near the village, which he still owns and conducts. Ebenezer Fisher served in the Revolutionary War. Daniel Babcock

served in the War of 1812, and drew a pen- sion.

ROBERT P. GRANT, son of William, of Scotch parentage, was born in Stonington, Conn. He was a cousin of General Grant's father, and was a captain of militia. He died in Liberty, N. Y. His wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Major General Crumb, bore him three children-Lucy, Benjamin and Isaac. The latter was born in Liberty, and died in Neversink, N. Y., in 1865, aged 43 years. He was a general merchant, and a prominent man in the town. He married Hannah, daughter of Peter Leroy, of Neversink, and they had eight children. Rohert P. Grant, eldest son of Isaac, married Lettie C., daugh- ter of Daniel and Isabelle (Love) Hayes, of Boonville, and they have a son, Robert D. In 1874 Mr. Grant went to Fort Madison, Iowa, and engaged in the banking business with Senator W. G. Kent, and in 1876 he located in Clayton, where he now resides, and is now cashier of the Exchange Bank.

DR. GEORGE M. MCCOMBS married An- nette, daughter of Danford and Lucy J. (Rogers) Weaver, of Clayton, and their chil- dren are Ray G., Ross, Carl E. and Alice C. Dr. McCombs studied medicine with Dr. H. G. P. Spencer, of Watertown, and graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical Collegein 1877. In 1880 he located in Clayton, where he has since practiced with marked success. William J. McCombs married, first, Martha, daughter of Robert Ellsworth, of Canada, who bore him two children, Esther and George; and second, Alzada, daughter of Thomas and Alzada (Hudson) Rees, of Clay- ton. He has been engaged in the drug busi- ness in Clayton village for the past eight years, and has served the town as clerk.

BENJAMIN W. DEWEY was born in Hart- ford, and came to Clayton in 1882, where he now resides. He married Ellen D., daughter of Frederick and Rebecca Hallett, of Smith- ville, and their children are Alwin H., Hol- land B., Hartley F. and Clinton M. His son, Holland B., is an undertaker and dealer in furniture in Clayton village, and is a gradu- ate of the United States College of Embalm- ing, New York City. Benjamin Cole, grand- father of B. W. Dewey on the mother's side, served in the Revolutionary War, and was one of General Washington's staff.

PERRY CASWELL, long a resident of Clay- ton, was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, April 6, 1864. His father was Gur- don Caswell, the first paper-maker in Water- town, who lies in the Clayton cemetery, he having died in 1862. He had the benefit of the common schools of Watertown, having been a pupil of Sewel Brintnall, a school teacher of the early days of Watertown. Gurdon Caswell kept an hotel on the corner where the American Hotel stood for so many years. He also built three separate paper- mills in Watertown, including one which stood upon the spot where is a part of the present Bagley & Sewall works.

Perry remained in Watertown until his

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CLAYTON.

father emigrated to Pembroke, where his father rebuilt another paper-mill. After three years the family again returned to Watertown, when Perry began work in his father's paper-mill to learn the trade of paper-making. In 1835 he came to Clayton, going into business as a boot and shoe dealer, in which he continued until 1879, when he gave up active business, his advancing years rendering him partially unfit for close busi- ness pursuits. He has been postmaster at Clayton, justice of the peace and coroner- besides many less important positions. Mr. Caswell is a highly respected member of the M. E. Church, having been one of its first organizers. In his 86th year he is an able, conscientious citizen.

G. E. THIBAULT was born in 1852 in Clay- ton, and has always resided in that village. He was educated in the common schools of Clayton. He was clerk for W. W. Angel for 18 years, at last associating with his brother in 1889, and forming the firm of G. E. & J. O. Thibault, who are the successors of Mr. Angel.

J. O. THIBAULT was born in Clayton in 1857. and had the benefit of the same schools as his brother. His business was that of house carpenter, but he entered trade with his brother in 1889, and is the junior member of the firm of G. E. & J. O. Thibault. They are both good business men, and enjoy the confidence of the business community.

DR. AMOS ELLIS, who died at Clayton in 1879, in his 69th year, was an able and most popular physician. His ancestors came originally from New England, settling at first in Adams. The Doctor was born in Brownville, January 9, 1810, but his parents removed later to the village of Clayton, and there the Doctor became the leading physic- ian. His medical education was received at Fairfield Medical College, Herkimer county, and subsequently studied with Dr. Walter Webb, of Adams. He began to 'practice in 1833. But few men in the profession left behind them memories more enduring than Dr. Ellis. He was a kind man by nature, and that made him popular with his patients. His son, Charles A. Ellis, conducts a drug business at Clayton, and is a successful and popular business man. In addition to drugs, he keeps on hand. as do many of the stores in Clayton, a more or less extensive stock of camp supplies, fishing tackle, confectionery, etc., to supply the requirements of the great army of summer residents who annually in- vade Clayton and the other towns from Cape Vincent to Alexandria Bay.

HON. JAMES JOHNSON was born in Frank- fort, Herkimer county, N. Y., May 3, 1824; moved with his father, March, 1836, to Depauville, Jefferson county. Hc received a common-school education, worked at the carpenter and joiner trade until he was 28 years of age, when he commenced buying produce for the New York and Boston markets. He opened a general store at Depauville in 1854, where he continued in

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 115

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