The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 166

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 166

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After the war the Captain came back to his adopted village, where he has since re- sided, and practiced his profession. He organized the Carthage Fire Department ; was elected four times president, and as an executive officer made the most efficient one it ever had. He straightened the street grade and the sidewalks, built the first stone cross-walks, caused the fences to be removed and the parking system to be carried out, the streets to be lighted and an equality of

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taxation established. He is one of the best campaign orators in the State; has been and is an active G. A. R. man, and in 1888 was commander of E. B. Steele Post, No. 269. He is a lawyer, well grounded in elementary principles, possessing those rare qualifica- tions which make one of the best trial law- yers in Northern New York.

The Captain, besides his legal skill and literary attainments, is the inventor of 21 patents, among which is the Pneumatic Horse Shoe and the Glass Tube and Change- able Center Fish Bait. He was married in 1864 to Zeolade, daughter of Orson and Sophia Warren. His home is a delightful one, in the very heart of the town.

JOSEPH PARKER BROWNELL,

LONG a citizen of Carthage, and well known as a very reliable surveyor (and possessing a most accurate knowledge of the original sur- veys of all this section), was born in Duanes- burg, Schenectady county, N. Y., January 9, 1827. He was the son of Cornelius and Mary (Rulison) Brownell. He came to Car- thage in 1849, and for a time taught school, becoming finally an assistant to his uncle, Nelson Rulison, for many years the surveyor for the LeRay land office. About 30 years ago Mr. Brownell became the sole surveyor for the Carthage office, and at his death he

JOSEPH PARKER BROWNELL.

was the best known expert upon land ques- tions in the counties of Jefferson, Lewis and Southern St. Lawrence. In his line of special work he made many friends and always kept them, a rare thing for any one to do. Mr. Brownell filled many places of trust and re- sponsibility, all of which he conscientiously discharged. He had been a supervisor in Lewis county, a justice of the peace in Croghan for 18 years and held the same office in the village of Carthage; was also assessor

for many years, besides holding other offices. In 1856 he was married to Miss Parthena S., daughter of Mr. Osmyn Caswell, one of the pioneers of the town of Theresa, and a jus. tice of the peace there for several years. They have reared four children, one daughter and three sons. The daughter, a teacher of much promise, preceded him to the better land some seven years ago. Hiram M. is a farmer. James Parker is a civil engineer, a graduate from Cornell University. Charles is foreman of the Carthage Tribune. The last two named reside in Carthage.

Mr. Brownell died in Carthage on Christ- mas day, 1894. With him was forever lost much that was of interest relating to the early surveys. He was a thinker and a stu- dent. He had always a ready answer to any question relating to his profession. The author of this History had occasion once to ask him the exact measure of the water-fall in the Black river at Carthage, as well as the width of the river at the point where the public bridge crosses. He gave me the figures without reference to any book. He was a methodical and exact man, the result of long training in his profession, a matter of the utmost consequence in a surveyor. He was a superior draughtsman, plotting with exactness and ease. Taking him all in all, he was a man whose loss comes near to being a public one, for the knowledge he largely possessed was of such a nature that it was of interest to all. His last sickness was a gradual fading out of "life's fitful fever." The writer was with him and his devoted wife at Bonaparte lake last summer, and an- tieipated his speedy restoration to health, a hope that has not had fufillment. But his end was peace, for death had no terrors for him.

The father of Mrs. Brownell, Osmyn Cas- well, Esq., was born in Connecticut in 1796, and came of old Puritan stock. Three of his mother's brothers were soldiers in the Revolutionary army, and fought for independ- ence at Bunker Hill. Esquire Caswell was one of the writer's earliest friends, a truly honest, conscientious man. He was the first justice of the peace in that part of the town of Theresa where he resided. He was univer- sally respected. He died in the the town of Wilna in 1881. Mr. Brownell's esteemed wife is left to mourn for her husband. They were indeed, an exceptionally bappy and industrious family. J. A. H.

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SIMEON FULTON,

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FOR many years a well-known and respected citizen of the town of Wilna, was born in Vermont in 1809. He was the eldest son of Caleb Fulton, who was born in 1777 in Coleraine, Mass., and came to Wilna from Vermont in 1810, and built a log house on the farm where Mrs. Angelica Fulton (the wife of Elisha, Caleb's son) now resides. The privations incident to settlement in a new country afforded but little opportunity to ac- quire an education, but Simeon fitted himself for a life of usefulness, and soon became a referee for his neighbors and friends, who frequently sought his advice, and it was always considered reliable. In 1833 he was married to Larissa M., daughter of John and Susanna Smith. She came with her parents

from New Jersey to the town of Wilna when but one year old, and the country a dense wilderness. Being childless they generously adopted children, who became as dear to them as their own. They took Julia A. when a child, and she, with her husband (Myron Lewis, Jr., of Wilna) and their three children, have been a comfort to Mr. and Mrs. Fulton in their declining years. These grandchildren seemed to be the special object of Mr. Fulton's love and care after the demise of his beloved wife, which occurred in Wilna, March 29, 1890, at the age of 73 years. Thus was severed the sacred ties of over half a cen- tury's duration. Mrs. Fulton possessed many virtues which inspired love and commanded respect from all who formed her acquaint-

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ance. Simcon Fulton was a man of many amiable and desirable qualities. Strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow men, he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. He possessed untiring diligence and patience, which enabled bim to accumulate a handsome property. He was a devoted hus- band and generous protector to his foster children, to whom he was very much at- tached. His grandchildren cannot say too much in his praise. But Mr. Fulton's superior ability was recognized outside of the immediate neighborhood where his life was spent. He represented the town of Wilna as supervisor in 1847-48-49. He was notary public and school commissioner many years, and held many minor offices in the town. He

was captain in the State militia. In 1891 he visited his birthplace in Vermont, accom- panied by his grandson, E. Fulton Lewis.

An Universalist in belief, he lived as if in accord with the teachings of the Golden Rule. He died May 6, 1894, aged 85 years. "Truly a good man has fallen," was the expression of all who learned of the demise of Simeon Fulton. He was one more of those strong and honorable men who settled in the Black River country at an early day, and lived lives which justify us in calling them exceptional in all the qualities which make up true man- hood. Principle was his guide, the light of reason his inspiration to duty. There were some like Mr. Fulton, but he had no su- perior.

THE STRICKLANDS

WERE a distinguished family among those Friends who came into Philadelphia, Jeffer- son county, early in the century, probably among the very first permanent settlers of that town. They were from the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pa., where they had long been an important family, and where their de- scendants still maintain the ability demon- strated by their ancestry. We give the biography of this entire family in Jefferson county, upon the next page. Miles and Seth, two of the sons of the original John Strickland, filled so important a position in the history of Jefferson county, that we single them out for special mention. We insert their biographical sketches in connec- tion with the town of Wilna, because Mr. John E. Strickland, son of Seth and nephew of Miles, has for many years resided in the village of Carthage, a respected citizen and large property owner and tax-payer.

Miles Strickland was born in Bucks county, Pa., several years before his father removed to Philadelphia. He grew up on his father's farm, receiving a moderate edu- cation at the public school and partly from a Friend's school, established at Philadelphia at an early day. By profession he would naturally be classed as a farmer, but he was also a miller, he having been proprietor of the grist mill at Philadelphia in company with Mr. Edward Tucker, as well as engaged in other enterprises. As he grew in wealth and reputation as a financier, he gave up his other pursuits more and more, until at last his whole time was devoted to his own finan- cial affairs. He married Miss Harriet A. Bronson, now deceased. He was a man of more than average capacity, and of excellent judgment, for which reason his advice was often sought by his neighbors. His business calling him often to Watertown, he finally made that city his home, and there he rounded out a useful and honorable life, dying March 17, 1893.

Seth Strickland, brother of the above, was born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1808, and ac-

companied his parents when they removed to the Black River country. The farm of his father was his home until he purchased a farm for himself, and entered upon his life- work. He married Miss Janc, daughter of Thomas Bones, another Pennsylvanian, a sister of William Bones, of the well-known iron firm of Budd & Bones, in active opera- tion at Carthage in the forties. Mr. Strick- land was a successful farmer, well known and universally respected. He died in 1873, leaving a comfortable fortune to be distrib- uted among his children.

John E. Strickland. a leading and wealthy citizen of Carthage, was born in Philadel- phia, N. Y., August 2, 1845. His early edu- cation was in the district school. supple- mented by attendance at the Black River Literary Institute, at Watertown. His home was upon his father's farm until 19 years of age, when he entered the store of Mosher & Tucker at Philadelphia, where he remained about one and a half years, coming to Car- thage in 1869, and entering the store of Bones & Frederick. In 1871 he went into the hard- ware business with Mr. John Rogers, the firm being Rogers & Strickland, which con- tinued until 1879, when Mr. Strickland en- tered upon the business alone. In 1887 he received as a partner Mr. Henry M. Mosher, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Strickland & Mosher.

October 9, 1873, Mr. Strickland married Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Collins Miller, of Deer River, N. Y. They have reared three interesting children, Ruth Louise, Seth Miller, and John Lyle. Their home is a typical one-solid but not ostentatious.

Mr. Strickland is the proprietor of the Strickland block, a new building in the cen- ter of the village. It was begun in Febru- ary, 1893, and was fully completed in 1894. There is no more substantial building in the county, and it is a credit to Carthage, for many reasons. The front is pressed (Tren- ton, N. J.) brick, and, with the Ohio blue stone, forms a peculiarly fine and massive

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THE STRICKLAND BUILDING, CARTHAGE, N. V. COMPLETED IN 1894.

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combination. The front upon State street is 90 feet, and upon Mechanic street 105 feet. Mr. Griffin, of Watertown, was the architect. The mason and carpenter work has been done largely by Carthage mechanics, and they have produced a fine building.

PEDIGREE OF THE STRICKLAND FAMILY.

JOHN STRICKLAND was born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1757. In 1806 he emigrated to Jefferson county, and located in Philadel- phia, N. Y., then a part of LeRay. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and pos- sessed of a genial and kindly disposition. He brought with him a sum exceeding $25,000, with which be purchased 5,000 acres of land in that town. During the War of 1812 he bought supplies for the army, and at the termination of the war had a large quantity of supplies on hand, for which he received less than half their original cost. He was obliged to dispose of a portion of his land to pay off his indebtedness, after the ac- complishment of which he had left of his once large estate only 220 acres. He died September 15, 1849, aged 92 years. At the age of 25 he married Margaret Stout, of Ger- man descent, with whom he resided 60 years. She died in 1853. Of their children, Eliza-

beth married Thomas Townsend, and died in 1864; John, Jr., married Rachel Townsend, and died in 1859; Sarah married Ezra Com- ley, and died in Pennsylvania in 1855 ; De- borah died in infancy ; Ann married Edmund Tucker, and died in 1863; Mahlon married Mary, daughter of James Rogers, and died in 1871; Margaret married Samuel Case, and died in Chicago, in 1888, aged 91 years ; Rachel married Samuel Rogers, and died in Philadelphia, N. Y., in 1863 ; Miles married Harriet A. Bronson (deceased); Martha mar- ried Robert Gray, and died in Wisconsin, in 1875; Seth, who was born in 1808, married Jane, daughter of Thomas Bones, January 25, 1835. Of their children, Ellen (Mrs. Isaac Mosher) and William reside in Philadelphia, N. Y., and John E. in Carthage. William Strickland was born October 15, 1839, and was reared on the homestead farm, which he inherited. He married Betsey J., daughter of Truman and Fanny (Allis) Oatman, of Philadelphia, N. Y., December 29, 1862, by whom he has had two children, Seth T., born March 12, 1866, who died May 7, 1871, and Anna Jane, born Abril 2, 1874. Mr. Wm. Strickland is a farmer, and resides in the village of Philadelphia.

GEORGE F. LEWIS,

THE very able photographer at Carthage, was born in Harrisburg, Lewis county, in 1847. He is the son of George and Alice (Gowdy) Lewis, residents of Harrisburg. He

GEORGE F. LEWIS.

came to Carthage in 1871, and began to learn the art of photography from Mr. S. S. Rich- ards After working for him three years Mr. Lewis purchased the establishment, and has continued the business up to the present time without interruption, excepting during a few months following the fire of December 16, 1892, in which he lost many valuable negatives, now impossible to replace. The following summer he erected the fine block in which he has a studio. Mr. Lewis was married in July, 1874, to Miss Carrie O. Crane. They have reared two children, Grace, aged 19, and Fred W., aged 13. When Mr. Lewis thought of learning photo- graphy he mentally resolved that he would do his very best in everything he undertook. Though country-bred and not having the ad- vantages of travel or any opportunities for visiting the city galleries, he yet pos- sessed a fine appreciation of art, which he has developed in a remarkable degree in his business. By thoroughness he has laid the foundation of a fine reputation as an artist. The writer, who has had some experience among photographers, regards him as stand- ing very near the head of the many able men who take pictures in Jefferson county. Mr. Lewis, in addition to his fine block, has erected a neat residence on South James Street, where he resides, and his home is a typically happy one. He is an official mem- ber of the M. E. Church, and has maintained himself for many years as an accomplished artist and good citizen.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

HENRY W. HAMMOND.

NO MAN connected with the railroads of Northern New York has left a more favor- able impression upon the community than Mr. Hammond, a Carthage boy, son of Theo- dore S. and Mary Ann (Wilkins) Hammond. His father was a courteous and refined gentle- man, much respected for his intelligence and ability, long a land owner and lawyer at Car- thage. His son Henry was born October 26, 1841, and had the advantages of the public schools of Carthage, and also of an academic education. He began railroad life in 1869, and built and operated 12 miles of the Car- thage & Adirondack Railroad for two years, until the wooden rails gave out. He was supervisor of the town of Wilna in 1872 and 1873. In April, 1873, he commenced on the Utica & Black River Railroad as brakeman, and soon became conductor. This position he filled with entire acceptability, receiving much praise from the travelling public, as well as the unqualified commendation of his superiors upon the road. In December, 1879,

he was promoted to assistant superintendent on the Utica & Black River road, which position he held until the latter was sold to the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg road, and then was made division superintendent, with headquarters at Carthage. This posi- tion he held while under the management of the New York Central. He tendered his resignation November 1, 1891. The retire- ment of Mr. Hammond created considerable surprise at the time, but was well understood by his intimate friends. His beloved wife was ill, and he became her devoted and affectionate nurse, his devotion only termin- ating with her death, July 29, 1892. She was the daughter of Henry C. and Alvira Rich, of Carthage.

Mr. Hammond's continual attendance at his home, necessitated hy his care for his sick wife, induced him to assume, tempor- arily, the position of station agent at the im- portant village of Carthage. This position he was holding when appointed to the

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superintendency of the western division of the New York & New England Railroad, with headquarters at Hartford, Conn. He remained in that position until the general break-up which grew out of the attacks upon Mr. McLeod, the president of the great Reading Railroad system, and which was fraught with such immense losses to the Reading road, deranging all its relations with other roads. Mr. Hammond did not care to be unfaithful to his chief, and resigned his position when Mr. Parsons retired. Since then he has been a resident of Carthage, and his friends are anxious to again see him con-

nected with railroading, and in a position equal to his abilities.

He deserves the popularity he has earned, for kindness of heart is one of his predomin- ating traits. He is the last representative of his family. His brother, Charles T. Ham- mond, was a prominent lawyer and Mason, and was Master of the Lodge when he died. Frederick, the youngest son, was a telegraph operator and a fine musician. Mrs. T. S. Hammond, their mother, died February 27, 1889, and was a resident of Carthage for 51 years. She and her husband were an excep- tionally happy couple.

MRS. JANE BICKFORD.

THE sudden and almost tragic death of this estimable lady, the oldest native-born in- habitant of Carthage, aroused much sympathy -for she had a large circle of friends and relatives and had lived an honored life, un- stained by any scandal or breath of detrac- tion. She had gone to Thousand Island Park for a few days' pleasure and social enjoy- ment, and was apparently in her usual health and spirits, when, but a few hours after her arrival there, on the 12th of September, 1894, she was suddenly attacked with complete mental paralysis, dying the same night. She never spoke a word after her attack, wholly unconscious of the loving care of her daughter, who had been for many years her mother's constant and affec- tionate companion. Mrs. Bickford was nearly 72 when she died-and all her mature years were years of usefulness and of self-denial. She was one of the few who fully justified "the honors she had gained." The author of this History discovered in her one whose ac- tive mind was ever alive to historical inci- dents. From her was gleaned very much that relates to earliest Carthage, for her father was one of the very first surveyors there, the contemporary of Brodhead and the various agents of the Chassanis (French) Company, who began at Castorland as early as 1793. Herself and her daughter indeed may be said to have prepared much of what is said in these pages about Wilna and Carthage, and those paragraphs relating to the Bonaparte history at Natural Bridge and Lake Bonaparte. Over a part of the ex-king's former possessions in Diana she had journeyed with the writer in pursuit of historical material.

She was married July 14, 1851, to Marcus Bickford, a native of Lowville, but who became early identified with Carthage, and remained so until his death, September 19, 1876. He was for many years regarded, and is still remembered as a well read and pro- gressive man of this town, and a strong political leader in the Republican ranks, of which faith he was a stanch and unflinching advocate.

In March, 1860, he established the paper to which his wife gave its name, the Carthage

Republican, and it was fitting that in its columns should appear a tribute to one who ever kept its interests in her remembrance, and in the early days of its existence labored for its success.

But her years of life are over ; long and busy they have been, and crowned with full- ness of days. "She rests from her labors and her works do follow her."

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bickford : Miss Florence Ida, who is the only surviving member of the family, and Cora H., who died November 1, 1873.

Mrs. Bickford's maiden name was Jane Van Horn Hammond, second daughter of John D. Hammond. She was one of a family of 12 children, seven sons and five daughters. Of the five sisters she was the last survivor, and attained the greatest age, She was born on January 2, 1823, on the Alexandria road, in a house long sinceremoved. She was of a particularly refined nature, possessing very quick intellectual perceptions, and had all the advantages it was possible to enjoy in those early days when the settlers were hew- ing their roof trees, and struggling for a future competence. In addition to possess- ing a superior English education, Mrs. Bick- ford spoke French with accuracy and fluency, even until the day of her death. She was an unusually brilliant conversationalist, and most graceful in expression.

SAMUEL KEYES, now in his 87th year, came to Wilna in 1819. His father took up land on the road leading to Natural Bridge, having removed hither from Montgomery county, N. Y. Wilna was then an almost unbroken wilderness. Samuel Keyes mar- ried Miss Mary Fulton, February 23d, 1831. He has held many town offices, including railroad commissioner, commissioner of ex- cise, and supervisor. He raised three boys and two girls-all the sons are yet living : George, Samuel and Caleb ; one of the daughters, Mrs. Alfreda Palmer, is yet living, but Mrs. Margaret Chaffee is dead. Mr. Keyes is yet vigorous, and the very day we interviewed him he had been hunting deer. His son Caleb conducts the farm.

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DR. SETH FRENCH,

ONE of the best remembered men in the 35th Regiment, in which he was acting-surgeon, and therefore brought in daily contact with the men, was the son of Ezekiel and Sally (Chase) French, who were descended from the families that came to America from Eng- land in 1628-40, and settled in Massachusetts, the mother landing at Plymouth Rock. Ezekiel French was a farmer, settling event- ually in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. He was a custom house officer of the United States government during the war of 1812, and had a brother who served in' the battle of Sackets Harhor. From this patri- otic ancestry came Dr. Seth French, the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in 1824, at Potsdam, N. Y., assisting his father on the farm in summers. He received his rudi- mentary education in the common schools, entering later the old St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, teaching school during the . winters and working upon the farm in sum- mer. The Doctor's life passed on until the death of his father made it necessary for the older ones of the family to assist themselves. The Doctor started for Natural Bridge, where his uncle, Dr. Elkanah French, was practicing medicine. This was in 1843. His uncle took him into his office, and when our incipient Doctor was sufficiently advanced be presented himself to the president of the Castleton (Vt.) Medical College, requesting admission upon credit, which was granted. The same request was again repeated at the beginning of the second term (the old debt having been paid from the avails of school- teaching during the college vacation), and by such self-denials and struggles the Doctor at last, in 1847, obtained his diploma, and began the practice of medicine. The hardships he thus endured had strengthened a naturally good constitution, and perhaps no young man ever entered upon the practice of a pro- fession in Jefferson county who had higher ambitions or a more honest heart. Armed with these grand equipments, he was pre- pared for any emergency, and his subsequent success as a civilian practitioner of medicine and as a surgeon in the Union army hore evi- dence of his ability and the extent of his acquirements. He practiced at Carthage for two years and was superintendent of schools. In 1849 he started for California via Cape Horn, being 315 days on the journey. Re- maining in California over a year, he was moderately successful, and returned to Car- thage at the end of 1850, and resumed prac- tice. Soon after his return to from California Dr. French married Miss Harriet Guyot, daughter of Bazille Guyot, one of the early settlers of Carthage, whose descendants are yet prominently connected with its mechani- cal pursuits. The Doctor remained in active practice at Carthage until 1854, when he re- moved to Redwood. It was while practicing at Redwood that the attack was made upon

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 166

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