The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 128

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 128

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A lurid light in the West last night gave information by inference of a great fire then in progress. It turns out to have been a great tragedy that was transpiring within a few miles of Watertown, and the death of one of the ablest men of the county is in consequence sorrowfully recorded to-day. Hon. Jay Dimick, in trying to save his cattle and horses, was incinerated in the building which he had erected with bis own hands.

Orrin Hall, the young man who lived with him and worked his farm, went to the barn to do chores, and when he opened the door the back end was all ablaze. He ran back and told Mr. Dimick, and together they entered to try and save the horses, five in number, but finding they could not do it, turned to save their own lives. Young Hall barely escaped suffocation, but Mr. Dimick, nearly 74 years of age, and in poor health,

was overcome and lost his life. The charred remains of his body were found later, and taken from the ruins. It was only by the almost superhuman efforts of the neighbors, who began to arrive, that the house was saved from going up in smoke.

The loss of Mr. Dimick is a serious one to the community, to his own family and inti- mate friends it is simply irreparable. His devoted wife, who long since desired her husband to give up all labor upon the farm, will always mourn his loss and the dreadful manner of it, for he was the chosen husband of her youth, ber playmate in early life, one whom she had always known. We pause here and draw the veil over sorrows that time alone can assuage. Jay Dimick was a grand man, unselfish, guileless, without any mean or narrow thing in his composition. As such he passes into history.

The funeral of Hon. J. Dimick was largely attended on January 3, 1894, at his late resi- dence in Houndsfield, near Sulphur Springs. The attendance was very large, comprising neighboring farmers with their families, a large delegation from Houndsfield Grange, and citizens from surrounding towns. There were also several distinguished citizens from the city of Watertown. The house was filled in every corner, and the occasion was wonderfully solemn and pathetic. Mrs. Dimick was entirely prostrated. The re- ligious services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Brown, from Sackets Harbor. Houndsfield Grange also participated in the services, both at the house and the grave. The interment was in the Sulphur Springs burying-ground, which is now nearly filled with those who but a few years ago were the active men and women of that portion of the town of Houndsfield. The speaking was superior. Mr. Brown, the officiating clergyman, gave an instructive address, impressing upon all the necessity of constant preparation for death, which was as likely to come to any of his hearers as unexpectedly as it came to Mr. Dimick. Col. A. D. Shaw made a brief address, which was full of pathos and sympathy. His remarks were wonderfully fitting, and elicited the most favorable com- ments. The crowning and most affecting tribute to the memory of the deceased, was made by General Bradley Winslow, of Watertown, a life-long acquaintance of Mr. Dimick, their boyhood residences being only two miles apart. The General spoke as fol- lows :

Friends and Fellow citizens: I hardly presume that I can add to the interest of this sorrowful occasion by any words of mine, especially after listening, as we have, to the able, eloquent and feeling address of the reverend gentleman who bas preceded me. But as one representing the great body of the laity as distinguished from the minister- ing servants of the church militant, it may be proper for me to speak briefly. I have the more reason for doing so from the fact

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

that he, beside whose bier we stand to-day possessed a most catholic spirit. Every man, whatever his creed or nationality, was his brother. He believed in the equality of the natural rights of all men. His voice and influence were ever against the wrong of the oppressor, and against the proud man's con- tumely. In short, he believed in the brother- hood of man. In his public career he illus- trated the principles of honor, honesty and fidelity. Did he assume a public trust, the duties pertaining thereto were discharged in utter forgetfulness of self, and with the sole purpose of executing in the best manner that which was given him in charge to perform

Jay Dimick had many characteristics and traits, of which it is a pleasure to speak ; but it seems to me that the phase of his career, which is most prominent, and which will be longest felt in the community at large, is the splendid citizenship his life illustrated. He was a model citizen. What higher enconium can be pronounced with respect to any man than to say, "He is a good citizen." And to excel in citizenship is the highest attain- ment of a noble ambition. A good citizen is he who renders ready obedience to the law, who avoids, as far as honor will permit, con- tentions with his fellow-men-who, while maintaining a careful guardianship of his own rights, respects absolutely those of his neighbors; who is honest in his dealings, temperate in his habits, industrious and frugal. A good citizen, moreover, is one who takes a lively interest in those public questions which affect the community in which he lives; who exerts his influence intelligently for the righting of every wrong, the amelioration of every calamity ; who en- courages education and culture, who sustains the district school, who participates in the town meetings, who may be found in the assemblies of the people, giving attentive ear to every complaint, to every suggestion, and then, with calm wisdom and assurance, counsels as to the true course to be pursued. Readily you all agree that he whose memory we cherish to-day was such a man. Whether he was able to accomplish all that he did from qualities that were inborn, I know not ; but it may be, having these, he was spurred on in their development by the silent influencs of propitious surroundings. It was his great good fortune in early manhood to become united in marriage with a noble family. Most of you who are here are cognizant of the fact that the life-partner whom he chose was the eldest daughter of the Hon. Benjamin Maxon, the active years of whose life were spent in this neighborhood, and who left be- hind him as a legacy to his children an ex- ample of honor and good citizenship worthy of imitation. To the steadfast devotion and wise counsel of her, who to-day sits in the gloom of widowhood, much is due for the noble product of manhood which crowned the life of our friend, more brilliant than sapphire or rubies, or the emblems of a monarch's power. And when the great

wave of grief, by which her soul is now overwhelmed, shall have partially subsided, she will find much compensation for her loss in the reflection that her unselfish, wifely devotion assisted to make the noble charac- ter which will through all the ages illumine an ample page in our local history.

It is sad to think that the places which have known our friend will know him no more forever. He will be missed in the dear circle of home and family ; he will be missed from the Grange; from all those places marked by his familiar presence. No more will his exuberant humor enliven the meet- ings where he was wont to find expression ; no more will the touch of "his vanished hand he felt, nor the sound of his voice be heard." He has gone from among us forever! But in this hour of sorrow and bereavement it is consoling to remember that the influence of his example will remain, more potent, perhaps, than while he lived. It is not true, as the great dramatist wrote:

" The evil that men do livea after them,

While the good is oft interred with their hones."

Oh no, rather the converse of this senti- ment is true-the good survives, while the evil is forgotten. Happily, whatever of evil existed in our friend's nature was so infinitesimal as not to be remembered. Good citizen, kind neighbor, loving hushand ; fare- well, farewell. Thou art gone; in all the years that remain to us, we shall miss and mourn for thee, but as to thy future we are not concerned. Whether it be to sleep in the gloom of eternal night or to hail the dawn of a brighter existence beyond the grave, we instinctively know it is the best that mortal man can receive. Inspired by the hope and faith that animates all Christian hearts, we believe that by and by in a world where suffering and sorrow are unknown, and brightness and joy abide always, we shall meet our friend again.

Mr. Frink read the following touching poem :

It seamath such a little wav to me Across to that dear country, "The Bayond;"

For it hath grown to be The home of those of whom I am so fond,

They make it seem familiar and most dear. As journeying friends bring distant regions near ; So close it lies, that when my sight is clear, I think I almost see the gleaming strand;

I know, I feel those who are gone from here Ara near enough sometimes to touch my hand.

I often think but for our veiled eyes, Wa'd find that heaven round about us lies.

I love this world, yet I shall love to go And meet the friends who wait for me, I know;

I never stand above a biar and sea Tha seal of death set on some well-loved face, But I recall the dear ones who will welcome me When I shall cross tha intervening space.

The casual observer may think it strange that, in a History like this, there should be so much space devoted to any one man, hut there have been few occurrences in Jefferson county that have awakened deeper feeling than the untimely death of Mr. Dimick, and an extended account seems called for.

MR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN ORCHARD.

10030

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HOUNDSFIELD.

MR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN ORCHARD.

BENJAMIN ORCHARD, long a resident of Houndsfield, owning a fine farm on road 49, corner of 59, was the son of John Orchard, who was born in Devonshire, England, where he died at the age of 80 years. Benjamin emigrated to America in 1829, and in 1832 located in Houndsfield. He was a successful farmer, and married Armenia, eldest daugh- ter of Rev. Enoch and Anor (Hazen) Barnes. Their children were Matilda, now wife of De- Estang Moore, of Watertown ; Sarah, married to John D. McMullin, of East Houndsfield ; Elsie, wife of Marcellus Reed, of Chicago, Ill .; Richard, Benjamin, Jr., Julia A., wife of Myron Holden, of Sackets Harbor ; Martha A., married to J. W. Brockway ; Effie E., wife of Dyer Harris, of Watertown ; Darius, Ada R., married to Emmet Holden, of Kansas ; she died on February 22, 1892, and Ida M., wife of Jas. B. Phillips.

Benjamin Orchard was a steady-going, methodical farmer. He had advanced ideas about agriculture, for he was reared in England. where agriculture had reached its highest development.

ARMENIA BARNES was the eldest child of Rev. Enoch and Anor (Hazen) Barnes, and born in the Thomas Settlement, in Hounds- field, October 3, 1821. She had the benefits of the common school of the town, complet- ing her education at the Methodist Seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y. Returning home she married Benjamin Orchard, June 7, 1838. Their children are given above. Mrs. Or- chard is spending her mature years in Sackets Harbor, where she has a fine dwelling on Main street, and is surrounded by loving and sympathetic grandchildren, who are only too glad to minister to her wants.

REV. ENOCH BARNES.

WAS one of the earliest Methodist preachers in the Black River country. His father, Rev. Asah Barnes, was also a minister, well remembered at Little Falls and along the Mohawk Valley as a most fearless and de- voted preacher of the word of God, the con- temporary of the Rev. Lorenzo Dow, who made Elder Barnes' house his home while upon his journeyings up and down the central part of the State-a man of rude and uncultured manners, but possessed of a power over men, through the persusave influence of his eloquence, that roused thousands to the for- saking of sinful ways, and to following Him, who Himself was a preacher, and " spake as never man spake."

Enoch Barnes married Miss Anor Hazen soon after he was licensed to preach. He first began as an exhorter, when a mere lad, doubtless tutored more or less by his father, and when scarcely 21 was accepted into the Methodist itinerancy, and began that singu- larly devoted Christian life, which earned him a place among the foremost preachers of

his day. There must have been some peculiar strain of eloquence in this family, for one of Elder Barnes' nephews was that Rev. Dr. Haddock, murdered at Sioux City, Iowa, by the whisky men, after he had been for years one of the most eloquent Methodist preach- ers in the whole West. Elder Barnes' eldest child was born at Little Falls in 1814. Soon afterwards he removed to the Black River country, and located upon a piece of land in Jericho, a precinct of Houndsfield, where he reared a numerous family, all of whom are deceased, except his eldest daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Orchard, who has removed from Camp's Mills to her residence in Sackets Harbor. It was in 1811 that he joined the Methodist itinerency. His first visit to Jef- ferson county was as a drafted man to partici- pate in the battle of Sackets Harbor.

Without attempting to follow Elder Barnes through all his itineracy, it will be enough to say that he was faithful in the discharge of every ministerial duty. There came a time when the great question of Christian fellow- ship with slave-holders began to agitate the Methodist Church, and Elder Barnes, who had Revolutionary blood in his veins, resolved to secede from any ministerial relation with a church which countenanced slavery, even by implication. He left, with great reluctance, the organization in which he had been so long an honored minister, and retired to his farm in Jericho. It was not many years be- fore the M. E. Church took the same ground he had advocated, and declared itself as un- willing to longer maintain Christian fellow- ship with owners of slaves, and then began the two distinct organizations of that great church, a Northern and Southern, the separa- tion continuing until this day.

Elder Barnes had one peculiarly eloquent and able son, William Hazen Thomas Barnes, who was also a preacher. He lost his life in the Texan army, where he held the rank of Chaplain, in one of the battles with the Mexicans previous to the admission of that State into the Union. This young man was a protege of Hon. Eldridge G. Merick, of Clayton, who sent him to college. Having retired from the Methodist itineracy, Elder Barnes thenceforth affiliated himself with the Seventh-Day Baptists, which denomination he served for nearly twenty-five years, both in New Jersey and the State of New York. In 1842 he removed to Sackets Harbor, and though he preached more or less after that, the real activity of his ministerial life was closed. The Seventh-Day Baptist Church at Sulphur Springs he served more or less for many years, for it was near his old Jericho home, and was also the neighborhood where three of his sisters had lived, and in the near-by graveyard reposed his aged mother, Mrs. Sally Barnes. Having come to Hounds- field to reside, in the year 1822, he was at his death one of the oldest inhabitants of the

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town, certainly one of the most respected. He died in Sackets Harbor, in 1877.

Elder Barnes was a man of peculiarly simple and unpretending manner. But his personal convictions were always strong. When he believed a thing he gave it its com- plete logical sequence. Believing human slavery to be a sin against God and man, he declined to fellowship with any church or body of men who held the converse to be

true. He could not stifle his convictions. If he could not preach the complete doctrine of universal Christianity, as applied to all men his blessed Master died to save, both black and white, he could not preach at all. He was a Garrison Abolitionist, one who believed that the Federal constitution, when it failed to protect the poor black man from brutality and chains, was indeed a "league with Hell." Thus believing, he so preached, and so lived.

THE PETTIT FAMILY.

HEMAN PETTIT, who, in the list of early settlers, is erroneously written Pellet, one of the first settlers of Watertown, came from Washington county, N. Y., in March, 1800, and settled near Burrville. His grandfather, Samuel Pettit, came from England to this country, and settled on the west end of Long Island. Heman married Martha Selfredge, of Salem, Washington county, N. Y. In 1800, hearing of the opening up of the Black River country and its great milling facilities, and he being a millwright by trade, this couple migrated to Watertown, where he helped build most of the mills about Burrville, and many in Watertown. Their eldest child, Susanna, was born June 8, 1800, and is sup- posed to be the first female child born in Watertown. She married James Douglas, and hecame the mother of James Chester Douglas, of Pillar Point; John Pettit Doug- las, of Theresa (president of the Standard Publishing Company), and Norval Eliada Douglas, of Auburn, N. Y. Mrs. Heman Pettit was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Society of Watertown.

In the year 1803 Heman Pettit moved with his family to Sackets Harbor, where he planned for the construction of mills, wharves . and warehouses. About the close of the War of 1812 he moved to what is now his- torical Jewettsville, where he purchased land and made a homestead, in which he lived un- til his death. Mrs. Martha Pettit was also one of the first persons to help organize the Pres- byterian Society of Sackets Harbor. Hon. Eliada Pettit, their eldest son, was born in 1803, and in youth became a teacher. He took up navigation, for which he had a par- ticular adaption, owning and commanding his own vessels, He moved to Wayne county, N. Y., from which place he was elected to the State Legislature, in 1847.

WILLIAM SELFREDGE PETTIT, second son of Heman and Martha Pettit, was born at Sackets Harbor, March 1, 1805. He secured a substantial education. The business of his choice was agriculture, and he became a pros- perous and progressive farmer. It is not often in these days of change that a man lives in one place his allotted time-three score and ten. He was married twice. By his first marriage he had one son. His second wife was Mary Catherine Stevenson, born in Not- tinghampshire, England. By his second mar-

riage there are three children, who survive him : Elizabeth A., Martha L. and John S. Early in life he became a member of the Presbyterian Church at Sackets Harbor, and lived the consistent life of a Christian, as did his wife.

JOHN PETTIT was born at Sackets Harbor July 24, 1807. He was educated at Water- town, and studied law with one of the Jeffer- son county judges. In 1830 he located at Troy, Ohio, where he remained one year teaching school and studying his pro- fession ; from there he removed to Lafayette, Indiana, where he made a permanent settle- ment, in May, 1831. He was a member of the Indiana Legislature, in 1836; U. S. Dis- trict Attorney for that State under the Van Buren administration ; a Representative in Congress for six years ; a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1851; a United States Senator for three years ; a Judge of Tippecanoe Circuit Court for two years, and in 1859 President Buchanan appointed him Chief Justice of the Territory of Kansas, in which capacity he served until its admission as a State, 1861, when he returned to Lafay- ette, where he served four years as City At- torney, and two years as Mayor. In 1870 he was elected Judge of the Indiana Supreme Court for a term of six years. When bis term of of office expired, January 1, 1877, he resumed the practice of law, which he con- tinued until his death, June 19, 1887.

CHESTER D. WARD. a citizen of the town of Houndsfield, was born in Massachusetts, in 1845, the son of Moses L. and Demidecy (Scott) Ward, who came into the Black River country, in 1833, from Oneida county, and settled upon a farm on the road from Watertown to Smith- ville, about two miles south of Stowell's Corners. They reared seven children, Ches- ter D., the subject of this sketch, was born upon the homestead, and had the benefits of the common school of the town. He has al- ways been a farmer, and most of the time up- on the farm first located by his parents. În 1875 he married Miss Sophronia Lee, and they have had one child born to them, Sarah Frances. Mr. Ward is a successful farmer, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. He is now serving his second term as highway commissioner of the town of Houndsfield.

611

HO UNDSFIELD.

HON. HENRY J. LANE

WAS born in Sackets Harbor, February 27, 1841. He was educated at the common schools of his native town, and began to teach school at the early age of 17, and so continued from 1858 to 1862. Since that time he has been engaged in merchandise at Sackets Harbor, where his business has grown into large proportions for a village of that size. He has always been a Republican, casting his first vote in 1862 for the candi- dates of that party, with which he has been most thoroughly identified up to the present time. For many years he has been chairman of the Republican Committee of his town, and a member of the Republican County Committee.

He was elected town clerk of the town

of Houndsfield at the age of 21 years, hold- ing the office for three years; was justice of the peace two years; assessor for the town three years; president of the village of Sackets Harbor six years; supervisor of the town of Houndsfield during 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1888; was frequently chosen a delegate from Jefferson county to the Re- publican State Convention; was elected Member of Assembly from first district of Jefferson county in November, 1888, and in the session commencing January 1, 1889, was appointed on the Committees of Com- merce and Navigation, Public Health and Public Education; was re-elected to the As- sembly in the years 1889 and 1890, serving three terms in succession; was first chair-

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

man of the new committee of the Assembly on Forestry and Public Lands, created in 1890. At the close of his third term in the Legislature he returned to his home, again taking charge of his mercantile business, which, with the aid of his large acquaint- ance, has rapidly increased in volume.

Mr. Lane formed the acquaintance of Miss Rosaltha S. Payne, daughter of Worden and Rhoda Payne, of the town of Houndsfield, which resulted in matrimony on August 14, 1862. Six children have been added to their family record, three of whom died in infancy. His first born son, H. H. Lane, was born July 14, 1863. He lives in Sack- ets Harbor and takes charge of his father's growing business. His daughter, Rose F., assumed control of her father's correspond- ence when he entered upon his term in the Legislature, and has since had charge

of the same. His only other living child, a son, was born on the eve of the election of Garfield and Arthur, and was named by his parents after those noted officials-Arthur Garfield Lane.

The parents of Mr. Lane, Charles and Fanny Lane, were natives of England, com- ing to America in early life. They were united in matrimony in the city of Kings- ton, Canada.

Mr. Lane may be called a self-made man. He has earned the promotion which has come to him, not by the aid of rich relatives or influential friends, but by his persever- ance and indomitable push. He has always been loyal to his town, which appears to have lacked men of his character, who, in- stead of submitting to the fate that comes, try to make " fate," and to make it right.

HON. THEODORE CANFIELD.

JOHN M. CANFIELD, son of John, was born in Sharon, Conn., December 22, 1775, and came to Jefferson county in 1810. He wedded with Fanny Harvey, of Stamford, Conn., and they had 11 children, namely : Jane H., John, William F., Richard M., Laura, Fanny C., Frederick W., Annis A., Harriet, Sarah D. and Theodore.

Theodore Canfield was born in the historic village of Sackets Harbor, March 6, 1823, and here he commenced a career in the hard- ware trade which was continued with envia- ble success until his retirement in 1868. Mr. Canfield was also prominent in municipal affairs, and for his known integrity and fit- ness for the position was chosen the town's representative in the board of supervisors in 1859, and again in 1869, '70, "71 and "72, hold- ing the honorable position of chairman of that board for two years. In 1866 he was the successful candidate of his party for member of Assembly. For 18 years he was an in- fluential director of the Carthage, Water- town & Sackets Harbor Railroad, and for eight years served as vice-president of that corporation. On the 12th of September, 1848, Mr. Canfield wedded with Annie, daughter of John Little, a lady of refined and domestic tastes.

His influence upon the business concerns of Houndsfield has been important and benefi- cent. He is conservative in management, and his habits of thought, as well as his business education, alike inspire him to demand a strict accountability in all matters relating to public affairs. He believes, as did the found- ers of the government, that a public office is a public trust, never to be perverted, as with Tweed, to a means for enriching the office- holder at the expense of the people. He is a mild, but at the same time, a very de- termined man. He is a strong friend, and ever on the side of churches, schools and temperance.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 128

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