The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 135

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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terian church at Chaumont in early life, and in 1840 was made ruling elder for life, which office he held until he removed to Hammon- ton, N. J., in March, 1866. That same year he was elected to the same office at Hammon- ton, a position he still holds.

Two children were born to them, T. Kim- ball and Ella I. Kimball, a lad of 16 years, was clerk for Sterling & Mosher, at Water- town when the last call for volunteers came. After much persuasion on his side, he at last gained his father's consent to his enlisting. His mother was visiting in the West. He enlisted, joined the Union army in August, 1864, but his days of service were short. His mother returned from the West in time to reach City Point, Va., to close his eyes. He died October 6, 1864. She brought his re- mains home and he was buried in the village cemetery at Brownville.

Mrs. Horton died March 3, 1883, at Ham- monton, N. J., after a long illness. When death came, her eyes were raised above, as though she saw into the Golden City. Her last words were : "Glory, glory, glory," and thus she crossed over to "rest in the shade beyond the river."

James I. Horton's mother was a niece of old Stephen Van Ransselaer, " The Patroon," of Albany, New York.

The Horton family was one of the largest in numbers that has ever inhabited Lyme. They were mostly farmers, though the name was also found connected more or less with trade and mechanism. Many of the family are dead or moved away to other localities.

HON. WILLIAM DEWEY.

ONE of the most prominent and useful citizens of Jefferson county in his prime was William Dewey, so long a resident on Ash- land farm, near Three Mile Bay. He was a son of Timothy Dewey, for a time a resident of Watertown, who was the original pur- chaser of the large tract of land above named, which descended at his death to his son William. This consisted of some 1,400 acres, situate in the town of Lyme, and cov- ering a low-lying stretch of land, liable to overflows during the spring and fall. The father was a builder of much prominence, and was the first engineer of the Manhattan Gas Company, of New York City. He was held in high esteem by the promoters of that pioneer company, and he received a silver snuff box in recognition of his services in connection with its early history and develop- ment.

William Dewey was educated as an en- ginner, and also was admitted to the bar in Watertown-studying with Frederick Emer- son, but never practiced. He was deeply interested in the first survey of the Rome, & Watertown Railroad, and was at the head of the corps of surveyors who first ran out the line. He gave a great deal of time, and wrote and spoke in support of the enter- prise, in season and out of season. To him

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more than to any one man, Northern New York was indebted for the inception and suc- cess of this useful line of railroad. He ex- pended a large sum of money in making a "big ditch" through Ashland farm-in its day a piece of work of much magnitude. His home at Ashland farm was that of a culti- vated gentleman, and for quite a long period a store was kept at that point for the supply of the country round about. This has long been a thing of the past.

William Dewey was a bachelor, and for years owned one of the finest libraries in Jefferson county. He was endowed with rare intellectual gifts, and as a Shakesperian critic had few equals. His readings from this master of English verse were brilliant exhi- bitions of splendid elocutionary powers, and had he taken the stage as a profession he would undoubtedly have risen to the very first place. He would occasionally give read- ings from this favorite author for Y. M. C. Associations and literary societies, and al- ways with the most remarkable success. He was a powerful delineator of the matchless Shakespeare's plays, and his wealth of re- sources in bringing out the different charac- ters was really wonderful. The writer of this brief sketch has had opportunities for hearing some of the world's great Shakes- pearian readers and actors, but no one of them could compete with William Dewey for versatility and power. To illustrate: in 1858 he gave readings in Washington Hall, and such was the profound impression made by his recitals that every copy of Shakespeare in the book stores was sold the next morn- ing, and one dealer took orders for twenty copies. This incident will illustrate how ably he brought the great scenes before his audience through his elocutionory gifts. Mr. Dewey was three times elected member of Assembly, and was regarded as one of the safest and one of the most useful members. Possessing great natural and cultivated talents, he was lacking in ambitious energy and push, and so seemed to fall short of his opportunities and possiblities. "Inglorious ease " was the stumbling block in his path of life, and while recognized as a man of rare accomplishments, he failed to make his way to positions his ability fitted him to adorn. He was buried near his old home in a grave on his former farm, beside his father, where he requested to be laid away before his death.

A. D. S.

ALEXANDER COPLEY.

A sketch of the pioneer history of Lyme and its early industries would scarcely be complete without a brief notice of him whose name heads this article. He was born upon a farm in Denmark, Lewis county, on Sep- tember, 10, 1805, where his boyhood was chiefly spent, and where his education was gained in the common log school house of the time, saving one year's instruction at the Lowville Academy. Leaving school, he be-

came, first, a clerk for William K. Butter- field, at Felt's Mills, Jefferson county, and then for Jason Francis; next, he was a partner with Mr. Francis, then bought him out, and finally re-sold to Francis & Butter- field, going into partnership with John Felt and William Coburn in the lumber trade. On the 30th of October, 1833, he married Miss Lucy Kelsey, of Champion, and for a wedding trip they moved upon a tract of 400 acres of land, which. Mr. Copley had pur- chased in the town of Lyme, and there their pioneer life began. Before the close of the next summer, he purchased of Vincent LeRay 2,562 acres of land, and then removing to Chaumont he bought a house, store, saw and grist-mill, and made that his future home. Only three years later he purchased of Governor Morris 16,961 acres of land lying in the towns of Clayton, Brownville and Lyme, and still later he purchased 10,000 acres in Antwerp. Mr. Copley carried on an extensive business in lumbering, quarrying, merchandizing and vessel building. He served his town as its supervisor for eight years, but had no taste for official position. His whole life was one to be chosen as an ex- ample to the young man of to-day. He wasa man of correct habits in every walk of life. He died at the age of 65 years, in the full maturity of a well-spent manhood. The board of directors of the National Union Bank, of Watertown, of which Mr. Copley was a member, passed the following :

Whereas, Alexander Copley, one of the directors of this bank, and one of the fore- most citizens of our county, has, in the ma- turity of his manhood and in the midst of his usefulness, been removed by death; there- fore

Resolved, That in the death of Alexander Copely we have lost a valued associate and friend, this institution one of its ablest and safest officers and advisors, and the commu- nity in which he lived a useful, high-minded and honorable man, whose place in society and business will not readily be filled. [For a more extended sketch of Mr. Copely, with fine steel-plate portrait see page 451.]

HIRAM COPLEY is a son of Alexander Copley, and has long been known as a promi- nent citizen of Chaumont, and connected with many of its largest business interests. In him some of his father's traits are especially prominent, particularly his leniency toward those who are in his debt, but from force of circumstances are temporarily unable to pay. He married Mary, daughter of Gaylord Enos, Esq., of Depauville. They have five children : Carrie, Lucille, Mayme, Allen E. and George W. Upon the two sons the weight of business now rests, and there is no doubt that it will be manfully and success- fully sustained.

THOMAS SHAW, one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Lyme, moved into this county from Saratoga county, early in the present century, and took up a tract of land

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in what is known now as French Settlement, and here reared a large family. He was a tall and commanding man, of fine physical mould, and possessed rugged and original personal characteristics. He was of Irish-Eng- lish stock, his ancestors settling in the North of Ireland under Cromwell's rule, and his wife was from Holland. Henry and David, two of their sons, became carpenters, and built many of the early frame dwellings in this county. Henry was a skillful millright and a mechanic of rare gifts. He was the father of Col. Albert D. Shaw, and one of the best of citizens and truest of men. He is huried at Chaumont. Another son, Thomas, was a sub-contractor on the Cape Vincent branch of the R., W. & O. Railroad, and made the cuttings near Rosiere. The contractor ran away with the money drawn to pay the sub-contractor, and this rascality nearly ruined Thomas Shaw. His year's hard work in the rock cuttings was not only lost, but quite a sum which he had to pay to his workmen in addition.

Mr. Thomas Shaw, grandfather of Col. Albert D. Shaw, was a very aged man when his grand-son, Albert, then 18 years of age, paid him his last visit before enlisting, and which proved to be the last time he ever saw his venerable and noble-looking grand-parent. He was blind, and taking his grandson on his knee, he passed his hand over his face and said : "My dear boy, I am so proud you are going to enlist. When I was nine years old I rode and drove a four-horse team through a portion of New Jersey, on Wash- ington's great retreat through that State. I rode 36 hours without stopping, only as the horses were eating and resting. I was the youngest boy in the long baggage train, and when we got to our destination the officer commanding the guard took me to General Washington's headquarters and said : 'Gen- eral, I wish to show you our little hero,' and he told what I had done, how old I was, and my name. General Washington took me upon his knee, just as I have you, and squeezed me in his arms, saying : 'You are a dear, brave boy, and I am sorry I have no money to give you, but here is my jack- knife, and I thank you for your service. You will be sure to make a good man if you live.' I kept the knife more than twenty years, and then lost it. I wish I had it now to give to you," The old grandfather died in 1862, and is buried at the Warren Settle- ment burying ground, and the news of his death and burial was received by his grand- son just before going into battle in Vir- ginia.

HENRY SHAW was born in Saratoga county, New York, in 1810, and removed to the town of Lyme with his father, Thomas Shaw, some time later. He helped his father clear away the forest trees on the homestead, and afterwards learned the carpenter's trade. He was a very able mechanic, and had his lot been cast in a large city or upon a broader theater, he would have won a high place

among the architects and builders of his day. As it was, he became locally famous for his integrity and ability as a country builder- for any work done under his supervision was sure to be always first-class in every respect. There was no sham about him. He hated de- ceit in any form, and his word was always as good as his bond. He lived a laborious and true life, and his words and works go to make up that sentiment of public and private character which uplifts communities and en- riches the State and nation. He married Sally A. Gardner, a daughter of Revolu- tionary stock, and two sons blessed this happy union, Colonel Albert D. and David F. The former is well known; the latter died in 1884. He was the general agent of the Isolated Risk Insurance Company of Canada at the time of his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are buried at Chau- mont, along with their son David. The sterling character of Henry Shaw and the devoted, religious zeal of his wife, have left a sweet memory behind them. Truly, the seeds of Christian faith and good living bear fruit in future days.

When Colonel Shaw was Consul at Man- chester, England, he said, in an address de- livered at the famous "Arts Club" there, (speaking of his father): "My father was a mechanic-a millright and carpenter-and a workman unto the Lord. Had Carlyle's father laid the foundation of a building iu stone, and my father reared the superstruc- ture in wood, one of the most perfect of buildings would have been the result. He always did his very best in everything his hands found to do, because he hated shams and loved the honest things of life."

LYMAN ACKERMAN, born at Saratoga, N. Y., in 1787, was long a resident on Pillar Point. He was a brick-layer, and helped to build many of the old blocks and churches in Watertown. But he was best known as a Methodist preacher, having been for 53 years a fearless, earnest standard-bearer in that aggressive and successful organization-a church that seemed, by its simplicity of faith and its earnest denunciation of sin, to, be pe- culiarly adapted to the wants of a people who had to give and receive hard knocks as they struggled for existence. He died at the residence of his son in Three Mile Bay, in 1861, respected and beloved, having preached the gospel without pay, as did his great pro- totypes John Wesley, Lorenzo Dow, Bishop Asbury, and thousands of others whose memories are fragrant and beloved, and form so great a contrast with the church of to-day and its salaried hierarchy, its surpliced choirs, its lofty edifices, and its expensive environ- ment, really shutting out the very ones to whom our dear Saviour preached, and they "heard him gladly."

BRITELL MINOR, residing on Point Penin- sula, is the oldest inhabitant of the town of Lyme. He was horn December 28, 1801, in Addison Vermont. With his father, Roe Minor, he came to Jefferson county in 1813,

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first locating in Lorraine. The following year the family moved to the town of Hen- derson, near the village of Smithville, where they resided until 1822, when the removed to Point Peninsula, where the elder Minor "took up" a farm. At that date most of the land on the Peninsula was occupied by squat- ters, the real owners being unknown, or the title to the same being in dispute. Mr. Minor informs us that there were more inhabitants on the Point at that time than now. Subse- quently the land came into the possession of LeRay, and from him the occupants ob- tained a good title. Roe Minor died in 1835. Britell has lived in the town of Lyme since 1822, with the exception of two years spent in Sackets Harbor during the late rebellion. Although about 93 years old, he is hale and hearty and as vigorous as the ordinary man of 65. His mental faculties are also unim- paired.

DALLAS RYDER is a son of David Ryder, who was a prominent citizen of Lyme, serv- ing as supervisor for two terms. Dallas is the youngest of eight children ; he served for 22 months in Co. B, 35th N. Y. Volunteers ; he participated in the battles of Manassas Junction, Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, White Sulphur Springs, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks- burg and Chancellorsville. He re-enlisted in the 20th N. Y. Cavalry and was promoted to a second lieutenancy. He is now a captain · on the lakes, and resides at Three Mile Bay.

JOHN TREMPER is the son of John M. Tremper, who was born at Fishkill, N. Y. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. John was born in Chaumont, where he now re- sides. He is one of its oldest citizens, and was never married.

CHARLES M. EMPEY is a son of Charles Empey, who settled in Lyme in 1835. He married Amelia E. Wells, and their children are Gertrude L. and De Witt C. They reside on the old homestead farm.

JOHN M. WILCOX is the son of Charles Wilcox, deceased, and grandson of General Sylvanus Wilcox, of Connecticut. John M. served in the 10th N. Y. H. A., Co. M., dur- ing the war, and was honorably discharged. He was at Cold Harbor, in front of Peters- burg, and with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. He entered the service as second lieu- tenant and was promoted to first lieutenant.

JERRY WELLS is a son of Harry Wells, one of the early citizens of Lyme. Jerry married Augusta Cory, and their children are Flor- ence, Harry, Fannie R., Brayton and May. Mr. Wells resides at Three Mile Bay, and is a substantial citizen.

REV. HIMON HOXIE is a son of Colson Hoxie, who was a native of Rhode Island. Himon was born in Albury, Vt., and was or- dained in 1848. He has been very active in church work. He resides in Chaumont.

ANDREW J. DILLENBACK is a son of Wm. Dillenback, one of the early settlers of the town of Orleans. Andrew J. was born in Orleans, and in 1858 removed to Chaumont, and is now one of the trustees of the village. He married Kate Cornwell, of Brownville, and they have six children.

CHAS. W. MCKINSTRY is a son of Chas. Mckinstry, one of the early settlers of Rod- man. Charles W. was born in Rodman, and came to the town in 1858. He married Carrie S. Schuyler. He is a general mer- chant of Three Mile Bay, and has been in business many years, being postmaster for 14 years. He is a prominent and respected citizen.

JOHN L. SCHUYLER is a son of Daniel J. Schuyler, one of the pioneer merchants of Jefferson county and the first merchant of Three Mile Bay, where he engaged in busi- ness with Dr. William Carlisle. John L. has been engaged in business in Three Mile Bay for nearly or quite 40 years, and has always been identified with the best interests of the village.

ORLEANS.

THE difficulty which had existed for several years regarding the holding of town meetings in Brownville, led to the erection of Orleans from that town, April 3, 1821. Its boundaries embraced Penet Square and all north of this and west of a continuation of the line between lots 6 and 7 of Penet Square to the St. Lawrence river. By an act of February 6, 1840, all that part of Clayton north of Orleans, and east of the north and south division line between Clay- ton and Orleans, extending from the north- west corner of Orleans to the St. Lawrence, was attached to the latter town, together with a part of Wellesley Island and all the smaller islands which would be embraced by a line running from the termination of the aforesaid division line; thence through Eel Bay around the head of Wellesley Island to

the Canadian line. By this act, also, a por- tion of Alexandria was annexed to Orleans, but in 1842 it was restored to Alexandria.

In the treaty with the Six Nations, held at Fort Stanwix (now Rome), on October 22, 1784, between His Excellency Governor Clinton, Commissioners William Floyd, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Richard Varick, Samuel Jones, Egbert Benson and Peter Gansevoort, Jr., and the principal chiefs of the Oneidas, occurs the following language: "And fur- ther, that the People of the State of New York shall, as a benevolence from the Oneidas to Peter Penet, and in return for services rendered by him to their nation, grant to the same Peter Penet, of the said ceded lands lying to the northward of the Oneida Lake, a tract of 10 miles square, wherever he shall elect the same." This

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tract of land was surveyed and patented to Penet's attorney, John Duncan, November 19, 1789, and on July 13, 1790, it was con- veyed to John Watson and James Greenleaf, of New York, for five shillings. From that time the lands passed through many hands ; and so numerous and so obscure were the conveyances (there being no resident agent), that squatters took advantage of the situ- ation, located wherever they pleased, bought and sold claims, cut the timber, made staves, manufactured potash, and in short, settled the country, none of them having any legal title to the land. This was in 1806.

In 1807, John Wilkes, who owned 8,000 acres of the tract, visited it, and it is believed that he was the first of the owners who ever traversed it; but, unused to forest life, he re- turned disgusted, and for several years there was no resident agent. In process of time, and after much expensive litigation, John LaFarge, of the firm of Russell and LaFarge, Havre, who had become a large purchaser of these lands, succeeded in establishing his claim, and from that time settlers took claims and made payments with some con- fidence. The first agent for LaFarge was John W. McNett, who came in 1820, and during the same year, Joseph L. Buskirk and family, James C. McNett, Henry S. and Josiah L. Nash, his son. Previous to this, the permanent settlers of whom we have any reliable account, were Jonas Everett, Brain- ard Everett, Isaac Niles, James Gloyd, Ebenezer Eddy and Leonard Baldwin; these came in 1817. In 1819, Peter Rhines, Stephen Scovil, Ebenezer and Hamilton Scovil were the chief settlers. R. T. Jerome came in 1823, and during that year, or it may be a year or two later, came Joseph Rhoades, Adolph Pickard, John Monk, Moses Lyman, James Rixford, Nicholas Smith, Thomas Barrett, Caleb Willis, Morris Contreman and William Collins. All these were Revolution- ary soldiers. Other early settlers were M. S. Tanner, Henry Heyl, John Tallman, Wm. Whaley, Peter Folts, Lyman Britton, and his sons, George and Otis, Thomas and Abner Evans, Nathan Holloway and David Gregg.

SUPERVISORS.

1822-23, Amos Reed; 1824-26, Wm. H. Angel; 1827, Woodbridge C. George; 1828, Jesse S. Woodward; (Four years could not be procured). 1833, Chesterfield Parsons, at a special meeting ; 1834, Wm. Martin ; 1835, Peter Dillenback; 1836, C. Parsons; 1837, Daniel C. Rouse; 1838-39, John B. Collins ; 1840, C. Parsons ; 1841, Peter P. Folts; 1842, James Green ; 1843, Edmund M. Eldridge ; 1844, Abram J. Smith; 1845, Loren Bush- nell; 1846, A. J. Smith; 1847, D. C. Rouse ; 1848-49, John N. Rottiers; 1850-53, Hiram Dewey. For a continuation of this list, from 1854 to 1894, see pp. 337-344.

The first village site selected was two miles south of LaFargeville, and named Rixford's Corners, after Sabin Rixford, who squatted there in 1817. A man by the name

of Morton built a store there in 1818, and a distillery and ashery were erected shortly after. It was here that the general business of the town was transacted, but in 1825 the store was burned, and with it the town records up to that time were destroyed.

The most noted and historic landmark in the town of Orleans is the old LaFarge man- sion, a mile south of the village. In its day this was a very elaborate structure, in its general appearance much like the chateaux erected by all of the wealthy French settlers in Jefferson and Lewis counties ; notably those built by LeRay at Cape Vincent and LeRaysville. The dwelling was richly fur- nished throughout, and the great land-hold- ing merchant of Harve occupied it in prince- ly style, entertaining royally-whenenever he could get any one to entertain. It is notori- ous, however, that the distinguished French- men, who settled in Cape Vincent, were not on terms of intimacy with LaFarge, nor was he numbered among the distinguished guests who from time to time assembled at the Le- Ray mansion or the chateau of Joseph Bona- parte. Whether it was a difference political- ly or socially, the writer does not pretend to say. Most likely the fact that LaFarge had made his wealth in merchandise was the rea- son why he was not numbered with the elite. The grounds around the mansion were tastefully laid out and walled with cut stone, the whole demesne being arranged regardless of expense. In 1838 the mansion and farm were purchased by Bishop Hughes, and a Catholic Seminary-"St. Vincent de Paul" -was opened under the supervision of Rev. Francis Guth and several assistants. It was intended as a "theological seminary" and a "classical boarding school," but after a trial of two and a half years it was discontinued. To-day the old mansion is fast crumbling to ruins. The rooms were long ago stripped of their elegant adornments, and nights of was- sail and wine drinking with boon companions and femmes de joie, have forever ceased within its halls. Some of the elaborate walls have fallen down, and an air of general decay pervades the ancient domain.

In 1840 LaFarge removed to New York, leaving Dr. John Binsse, of Watertown, his agent. He became extensively involved in various heavy financial operations, and was agent for Louis Phillippe after his dethrone- ment, and was his factor in investing funds in American stocks.

OMAR is a pleasant hamlet on Mullin Creek, about a mile and a half from its mouth. It was at one time known as "Mudge's Mills," from the fact that William and Treat Mudge erected the first grist and saw-mill there, in 1820. The first store was opened by Trues- dell & Stockholm in 1831. W. A. Gould now operates a general store and is postmaster. M. D. Knight is proprietor of the hotel.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 135

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