The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 152

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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WALTER ZIMMERMAN, the supervisor from Brownville, was born in St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1834, the son of Jacob Zimmerman, who was a native of Montgomery county, and came into Brown- ville in 1838. He married Miss Elizabeth Gray, and they reared seven children. Walter, one of the sons, came into Brownville with his parents when only four years of age. He had the benefit of the common schools, com- pleting his scholastic education at Union Academy, Belleville, and at the Mexico Aca- demy. The farm upon which his father settled has always been Mr. Zimmerman's home, though he was away teaching for some six years. In 1862 he married Miss Laura A. Allen, daughter of Esquire Charles Allen, one of the old settlers of Brownville. They have reared six children : Elizabeth, wife of Edward Parker; Charles A., Herbert, Jennie, Walter, Jr. and Laura. Mr. Zimmerman can certainly he classed as a farmer, that having been his almost life-long occupation. His farm has been in the Zimmerman family for 56 years, being what was once known as the General Britton farm, on the road from Brownville to Perch River. Mr. Zimmer- man is a successful farmer, and may be classed among those sons of the early settlers who have exemplified, by upright lives and enlarged in- telligence and virtues of their sires, who work- ed hard, endured much, but achieved much. They founded families, a result worthy of the highest ambition, and manifested the purity of their blood by the healthful progeny they left behind them. We have heard a little bird say that Mr. Zimmerman stands a fair

.chance of filling soon one of the chairs old Jefferson county's representatives hold down at Albany in the State capitol.

L. GIDEON KELSEY, supervisor from Cape Vincent, is a son of Silas Leander Kelsey, who came to Cape Vincent at an early day with his father, Eber Kelsey, of whom men- tion is made in the general history of the town. L. Gideon was born and raised on a farm, and educated in the public schools of the day until of age. Not enamored of farm life he sold out, and went into the mercantile business, and now has a general store, a large and important department of which is drugs and kindred goods. Mr. Kelsey is serving the town as its supervisor for the second time, and has proved himself to be an able and efficient representative.

CHARLES A. BEYER, now serving his third term as supervisor of Champion, the son of Philip and Louise (Sherer) Beyer, was born in Croghan, Lewis county, in 1860. His parents were natives of Baden, Germany, and came to Croghan in 1852. They reared five sons and five daughters. Charles A., the eldest son, came to Carthage in 1876, and entered into an engagement with Lewis F. Bachman, then a prosperous druggist in Car- thage. During the winter he attended school. He remained with Mr. Bachman eight years, after which time he entered into partnership with George E. Hull, M. D., and opened the first drug store in West Car- thage. After one year and a half, Mr. Hull retired on account of his health, and Mr. Beyer purchased his interest and conducted the business himself, which he has continued for the past 12 years. Mr. Beyer enjoys the entire confidence of the people of the town where he resides. He has served six con- secutive terms as town clerk. In 1884 he married Miss Almeda R. Perry, of Carthage, and their home is an exceptionally happy one.

WILLIAM H. CONSAUL, supervisor from Clayton, was the son of Lewis and Jane Ann (Lingenfelter) Consaul, who came to Clayton in 1831, and died in 1884. William H. had the benefit of the common schools of Clayton. He has long been known as one of the most energetic and pushing men of Clayton, al- ways ready to aid in whatever will improve his nativetown. He married Julia M., daugh- ter of Francis Barrett, who died In 1893, leaving one daughter, Mrs. William H. Enos. Mr. Consaul has filled many town offices, having been assessor, deputy collector of customs. commissioner of highways and vil- lage trustee, and is now serving his fifth term as supervisor. He enjoys the unchallenged respect of his neighbors, and is a wholesome man to know.

EUGENE A. CHAPMAN, M. D., the super- visor from the town of Ellisburgh, was born at Belleville, N. Y., December 9, 1839. While still a boy his parents moved to Henderson, where he received a common school educa- tion. From 1857 to 1859 he was a student at the Union Academy of Belleville, and began

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the study of medicine in 1859 with Dr. Daniel Nugent, of Henderson. He attended medi- cal lectures at the University of Michigan and the University of Buffalo, and graduated at the last named institution in February, 1862. He commeneed the practice of medi- cine at Clayton in March following, and in June entered the military service as a first lieutenant of artillery. He was mustered into the United States service September 11, 1862, and was first lieutenant and adjutant of the 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery until July, 1863, when he was promoted to captain. In August, 1864, he was examined before an army medical board, and received a commis- sion as assistant surgeon, with orders to report to General Butler at Fortress Monroe. He was assigned to the 27th U. S. Colored Infantry in November, 1864. From January 1 to April 2, 1865, he was on duty at Point of Rocks Hospital, Virginia, and was with his regiment from Petersburg to Appomattox. After 30 days' leave of absence, in June, he rejoined his regiment at Brazos Santiago, Texas, of which port he was quarantine officer during the summer, and was mustered out of service in November, 1865. Dr. Chapman married for his second wife Miss Agnes G. McClure, August 7, 1877. He has reared seven children, three by his first mar- riage, and four by his present wife. He renewed the practice of medicine at Hender- son in 1866, and remained there until the spring of 1873, when, his health being poor from overwork, he moved to Salamanca, N. Y., and worked for the Erie and Atlantic and Great Western railroads for one year. His health improving, he resumed the prac- tice of medicine at Salamanca, in the spring of 1874. In January, 1875, on account of the death of his wife, he returned to Jefferson county and again began practicing, this time at Belleville, where he has remained since. He has been four times elected coroner of Jefferson county, for several years been president of the board of trustees of Union Academy at Belleville. He became a mem- ber of the County Medical Society, January 12, 1869, and was elected vice-president in 1890, and president in 1891. Dr. Chapman is serving his first term as supervisor, and is a faithful, intelligent member of the Board.

ADELBERT A. Scorr, the present super- visor from the town of Henderson, was born December 12, 1847, in the southern part of Henderson, the son of Alonzo B. Scott, who came into Jefferson county about 1835, from Hammond, St. Lawrence county. His wife was Miss Lovina Templeton, and they reared two children, of whom Adelbert A., the sub- ject of this sketch, is the only one surviving. His education was in the common school, completing it at the Union Academy in Belle- ville. On leaving school he was a teacher for six terms in the winter, and spent his summers upon his father's farm. He was married in 1873 to Miss Clara E. Green, daughter of Daniel Green, of Ellisburgh. They have reared three children : Walter E.,

Daniel G. and Bessie. Mr. Scott is a farmer and dealer in live-stock, which, aside from teaching, has occupied his whole attention. He is another of those young men who have descended from farmer stock, maintaining, in the second generation, the excellencies of those men who came early into the county, and helped to bring it to its present im- portance and wealth.

JOSIAH A. McWAYNE, at present super- visor from Houndsfield, was the son of Delos and Angeline (Johnson) McWayne, the hus band having come from Wayne county with his parents ; the mother having been horn in Henderson, but brought up with a relative in New Hampshire. They were married about 1831, and reared four children : Josiah A., Johnson P., Delos A. and Edwin G. Josiah A., the subject of this sketch, was born in 1833, and had the benefit of the district schools of that period, one of his teachers having been a Mr. Chaffe. His father moved from the farm when Josiah was seven years of age, and settled in Dexter, where Josiah was clerk in a store, and at 19 he went West and was gone four years. On his return he began a mercantile business in Dexter, finally en- tering the employ of the Ontario Woolen Company as book-keeper. This position he occupied eight years, when he again took up merchandising at Dexter. In 1834 he married Miss Eveline Smith, daughter of Ammi Smith, of Dexter, They reared five children : Addie, Albert D., Eda, Frank E. and Jesse. The mother of these children died in 1867. Mr. Mc Wayne married, for his second wife, Miss Delila Washburn, daughter of Collins Wash- burn. By this union four children have been born : Geraldine, Harry W., Mark W. and Kent W. These children have had the benefit of the Belleville Union School. In 1874 Mr. McWayne sold his property in Dexter, and removed to Houndsfield, pro- curing the Washburn farm by purchasing from the heirs. There he has resided ever since, and is a successful farmer. He was an assessor in Houndsfield for three years, and for the past six consecutive years has been supervisor from that town. He is a whole- some man to know, and possesses the entire confidence of his neighbors and townsmen.

FRED. E. CROISSANT, the supervisor from the town of LeRay, was the son of James and Eleanor (Manigold) Croissant, who came into LeRay in 1828, from the east of France, settling at LeRaysville. Mr. Croissant came to this country under the auspices of Mr. Le- Ray. Fred E. had the benefit of the common schools at that time, receiving some instruc- tion in the higher schools of Watertown. He was his father's assistant on the farm sum- mers, attending school winters, and when 19 began teaching a district school, which he continued for several winters. In 1872 he became an employe of the R. W. & O. R. R., and was long in their employ. He has been station agent and telegraph operator at Evans Mills. He was elected supervisor of LeRay in 1877, and has served continu-

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ously since, being now in the 18th year of service. Mr. Croissant is a very popular man, one who has made friends by being himself friendly. He enjoys the entire con- fidence of the people of LeRay, as is evi- denced by his continuance upon the Board for a length of time never before equalled in Jefferson county. He has been justice of the peace nine years.

CHARLES D. GRIMSHAW, the supervisor from Lorraine, was born in that town April 5, 1850, the son of Joseph and Mary A. (Adsit) Grimshaw, who came into Lorraine in 1840, from Oneida county. They settled about a mile west of Lorraine village, upon the farm where they resided until 1870, when they removed to the village, where the father died in 1880, the mother surviving him until 1891. They reared a family of eight sons, all of whom are now living, except Edelbert, who died in his infancy. This is an exceptional instance, the writer never having before come in contact with such a record as eight sons without a daughter. Charles, the youngest of these sons and the subject of this sketch, received the benefit of the common schools. Completing his scholastic education in 1871, he became a clerk in the store of C. C. Moore, for many years the supervisor from Worth. Here Mr. Grimshaw remained until he became a partner, and continued as such until 1875, when he relinquished his interest in the firm of Moore & Grimshaw. For two years thereafter he was the village school teacher winters, and settling up the business he had in hand during summers. In the spring of 1877, Mr. Grimshaw began business in his own name at Lorraine, and has since continued in the general merchandise de- manded in a country store. In 1872 he mar- ried Miss Fanny Oatman, daughter of Elijah Oatman, of Adams. They have reared two children, Hattie M. and Allen C. Mr. Grim- shaw was first elected supervisor in 1889, up- on the Democratic ticket, and has been elected ever year since, both parties acquiesc- ing in his manner of conducting the business of the town. He is a popular man in his town and upon the Board, and his progres- sive spirit and ideas have resulted in very materially lessening taxation in the town he ably represents.

ELI BURTON JOHNSON, now supervisor from the town of Lyme, was the son of Lor- enzo and Jane (Phelps) Johnson. Lorenzo was born on Point Salubrious, on the farm where his father, William Johnson, began business life in the very early days of the settlement of that region. Lorenzo Johnson is still residing upon the paternal acres, and there. March 15, 1859, the subject of this sketch, Eli B. Johnson, was born. He had the benefit of the common schools, working upon his father's farm summers. He became a school teacher, following that profession for six consecutive years. In 1855 he began clerking in stores at Chaumont, and after two years he took up insurance, which has been his business up to the present time. In 1881

he married Miss Jessie A. Main, daughter of William H. Main, of Chaumont, and they have reared one child, George F. In 1890 he was elected, upon the Republican ticket, as supervisor of the town of Lymc, and has been continued in that position of trust until the present time, he now being in his fifth year of service. Mr. Johnson is a modest and unassuming gentleman, well qualified to dis- charge the duties of any public station within the gift of his fellow citizens. His unpre- tending, straightforward course entitles him to all the honors he may gain. Mr. Johnson is fortunate in having spared to him his father and mother, now in the seventies. He has settled near them, and his greatest pleasure is in contributing to their comfort, and in mak- ing the down-hill portion of their lives less arduous than was the up-hill portion, when they, as did all their neighbors, were putting forth almost superhuman efforts in making possible the present condition of life in Jeffer- son county.

BYRON J. STROUGH, the supervisor from Orleans, was born in Theresa in 1844, the son of Samuel W. and Emeline (Tallman) Strough. Samuel W. Strough came into Theresa with his parents when an infant of three years. He grew up on the farm where his parents, Daniel and Anna (Wis- well) Strough, ultimately settled, near Rap- pole's Corners, now known as Strough's Crossing. Samuel W. was killed by light- ning, and his sudden death will long he re- membered in that vicinity, for he was a man of affairs, active as a citizen, respected by all, and exemplary as the head of a family. He left four children, three boys and a daughter. Byron J., one of these boys, and the subject of this sketch, received his education primarily in the common school, completing his scholastic education in Mr. Goodnough's Theresa High School. Mr. Strough began teaching as soon as he left the Academy, and continued as an instructor of youth for 28 consecutive terms. In 1866 he received a State certificate, an honor not accorded to every applicant. In 1882 he commenced mercantile business at LaFarge- ville, and after the completion of the railroad the firm of B. J. & L. S. Strough abandoned merchandise, and began to huy and ship hay and grain. They are now the largest ship- pers of hay and grain of any firm in Jeffer- son county. In 1886 he was elected super- visor of the town of Orleans, and has been continuously retained a member of the board, now serving his ninth term. In 1867 he married L. Marie Ford, daughter of Rev. L. P. Ford, of the Baptist Church. Mr. Strough has been for 22 years in business at LaFargeville, and has met with unusual suc- cess in all he has undertaken. He has been a progressive, enterprising and honorable citizen, himself and his brother enjoying the entire respect of the community in which they reside. Upon the Board of Supervisors he is authority in matters relating to legisla- tion, for no man has given more critical ex-

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amination to the subject of town and county government than Mr. Strough. Possessed of a good share of this world's goods, his posi- tion in society is an enviable one. Indeed, the writer knows of no man in Jefferson county whose individual record as a man is superior to that of Mr. Strough's.

CHARLES O. ROBERTS, the supervisor from the town of Philadelphia, was born in Martinsburg, N. Y., in 1864, the son of William and Sarepta (Wilder) Roberts. Wm. Roberts came into Lewis county from Oneida in the forties, settling upon a farm in New Bremen, then removing to Martins- burg, and finally to Lowville, where he was a railroad contractor for several years. From Lowville he moved to Philadelphia, N. Y., where he has been for the past nine years engaged largely in lumbering. Charles O., his son, and the subject of this sketch, came to Philadelphia in 1883, from Utica, in which city he had been engaged as a tele- graph operator for several years. He re- ceived the benefit of the common schools, completing his academic education at the Lowville Academy. On coming to Phila- delphia he became identified with his father's lumbering business, which had been estab- lished several years before the elder Roberts removed his family to that place. Mr. Roberts was married in 1885 to Miss Marie L. Harris, daughter of James B. Harris, of Antwerp. They have reared two children, Ethel M. and William. Mr. Roberts' princi- pal business is now in connection with the Indian River Chair Company, the stock of which is all owned by the Roberts family. He was elected supervisor in 1889, was out one year, and is now in his third consecutive year of service. He is an intelligent, level- headed gentleman, very familiar with the duties of his office, and a wholesome man to know.

HERMAN L. ALLEN, the supervisor from Rutland, was born in LeRay in 1851, the son of Erasmus D. and Delia (Graves) Allen, who were also born in Jefferson county. They removed to Rutland when Herman L., the subject of this sketch, was an infant of one year. Herman L. had the benefit of the common schools of Rutland, which were much ahove the other schools of the county in the excellence of their teachers. Mr. Allen has always been a farmer, and feels an honorable pride in his calling. His residence is at Rutland Center, on the State road from Watertown to Champion. In 1875 he married Miss Clara A. Litchfield, daughter of C. B. Litchfield, of Turin, Lewis county. They have reared two daughters, Edith S. and Georgia May. He is now serving his third term as super- visor. The father of Mr. Allen was a jus- tice of the peace for 12 years, and was loan commissioner for two terms. Joseph Graves, the great-grandfather of Mr. Allen, was one of the very early settlers of Rutland. He held the office of supervisor of Rutland from 1827 to 1835. In 1842 he was a member of

the Legislature from Jefferson county. In 1843 he was again supervisor. He died in Rutland in 1875, at the advanced age of 88 years. His wife survived him several years, dying at 89. They were an excellent family, fully coming up to the requirements of good citizenship, and left an example which will be safe to follow.

GEORGE E. YOST, supervisor from Theresa, was born in that town, in April, 1838, the son of Nicholas D. Yost, long a citizen of Theresa, who was born in Johnstown, Mont- gomery county, in 1808. In 1834 he married Miss Magdalin Hanson, and in 1837 they re- moved to Theresa and purchased the farm where he so long resided, reared his family, and which he owned at his death. They reared six children. Mr. Yost died in 1870, and is buried in the new cemetery at Theresa. His widow still survives him, and has her residence in Theresa village. George, at the age of 17, became a clerk with the firm of Atwell & Hoyt, the leading dry-goods deal- ers in Theresa; he remained with this firm for two years, going West for a year, and when he returned to Theresa, after a me- chanical venture in shingle-making, he pur- chased the stock in trade of Silas L. George, a merchant who was retiring from business, and in 1859 he was a full-fledged merchant in his native town, at the early age of 21 years. The Civil War came on, and having also purchased at a low figure the assigned estate of Atwell & Hoyt, our young mer- chant found himself in possession of a fine stock of goods which had in the meantime greatly enhanced in value. In 1863 he sold out his mercantile business and began to pur- chase cattle. Having been reared a farmer, he has never fully abandoned that calling, and is the owner of several farms, one of them in the adjoining town of Antwerp. Mr. Yost has always been an active and pro- gressive citizen, and has held many offices in his native town. He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1875. He has repre- sented Theresa for six years upon the Board of Supervisors, and has always given the utmost satisfaction to his constituency. His enlarged relations with trade and commerce have induced him to become a member of the New York Produce Exchange, and is a well- known member of that large and influential organization. For the past 23 years Mr. Yost has been a banker at Theresa, and pos- sesses the entire confidence of the business community.

FRANKLIN M. PARKER, the present super- visor for the town of Watertown, was horn in 1842, the son of Jeremiah and Fransina (Kenyon) Parker. She was the daughter of Thomas B. Kenyon, of Amsterdam, N. Y. Jeremiah Parker was the son of Cratus Parker, whose father (Ezra Parker) came into Jefferson county and settled on Dry Hill in 1802. His title to land was the fourth deed ever given in Watertown. Jeremiah Parker was a man of almost unexampled activity and perseverance, and what he ac-

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cumulated was by bis own exertions. Un- aided and alone, and without any of the opportunities afforded at the present day for an education, he became one of the most judicious and intelligent farmers of his town and vicinity. Jeremiah Parker had three children : Franklin M., Thomas C., and Ella D. Franklin M., the subject of this sketch, had the advantages of the common schools, completing his scholastic education at the Adams Centre Select School, taught by Horace Otis, and at the Belleville Academy. In 1865 he began clerking in the Union store at Adams Center, finally purchasing the store and continuing in trade for six years. He returned to the old homestead in 1872, and has ever since been a farmer, living upon a part of the original farm. Mr. Parker may be called in all respects a successful man. He is now serving his fourth term as super- visor of the town of Watertown, an office he has filled with great acceptability. He has been treasurer of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society for 14 years, and has filled that important and responsible position without any criticism upon his official action. In 1861 he married Miss Miranda H. Wilder. and they have reared three children: Nettie F., the wife of C. J. Wadley ; Charles G., a civil engineer, serving at present in Pennsyl- vania, and Miss Maude E., still residing at home. They are an interesting and respected family, a fair representation of the people who have sprung from those earlier settlers who first came to Jefferson county.

JOSEPH ATWELL, JR., was the son of Joseph Atwell, who came into Jefferson county in 1848, settling at Theresa, where he was a merchant for 14 years, and resided there until 1867. Joseph Atwell, Senior, married Miss Mary Beach, and they reared three sons : Charles B., now professor in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill .; Joseph, Jr., and Willlam G., pastor of the M. E. church at Chaumont. Joseph, Jr., was born in 1858, at Theresa, while his father was a merchant there. He had the benefit of the common school of that village, gradu- ating from the Watertown High School in 1873. He studied law with Mullin & Griffin, was admitted in 1881, and had a clerkship with McCartin & Williams until 1885. He was appointed city attorney in 1885, and at that time began his active practice of the law. In January, 1892, he became a partner with Watson M. Rogers, and the firm of Rogers & Atwell still continues, and is one of the most able and reliable in this part of the State. Mr. Atwell is now serving his seventh year as supervisor of the second ward of the city of Watertown and his second term as chairman of the Board. He married Miss Lily D. Bond, daughter of Samuel N. Bond, of Adams. They have one child, Miss Rosalind, now in her fifth year. Their home is a typically happy one, and Mr. Atwell has just cause to be satisfied with bis position at the Bar and in society. The writer knew his father and grandfather-the

latter was for several years the colporteur of the Jefferson County Bible Society, and counted it gain to distribute for a bare sub- sistence the word of God among those who desired to know the will of the Almighty.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 152

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