The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 167

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 167

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Fort Sumter. He assisted in raising Com- pany I, of the 35th N. Y. Vol. Infantry. Into this work he entered with his usual energy, and the company was soon filled. The doctor accompanied that organization to Elmira, and was the men's medical attendant during the rendevous there, and subse- quently mustered into the United States ser- vice with his regiment as 1st assistant surgeon, in which capacity he accompanied his com- rades to Washington and to the front, sharing in all its privations and varied service during the next two years. His arduous care for the sick endeared him to the entire com- mand, and he is gratefully remembered as an honorable, high-toned officer. The gallant old 35th never made a march nor fought a battle when Dr. French was not present. In the spring of 1863 he was promoted to be surgeon of the 21st N. Y. Regiment of In- fantry, and detailed for duty as acting sur- geon of the 35th.

On being mustered out of service the Doc- tor removed to Eau Clair, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the drug trade for 10 years. His services in the field had brought on attacks of rheumatism, which turned his thoughts more or less towards a warmer climate for winter. His attention was at- tracted towards Sanford, Florida, upon the St. Johns river, at the head of large steamer transportation on Lake Monroe. At Sanford he made his home from 1872 to 1875 and en- gaged in the cultivation of oranges and other semi-tropical fruits.

The Doctor and his partners purchased a tract of 7,000 aeres in Volusia county, about 15 miles from Sanford, and on it established what is now known as Orange City, Florida. He was elected State Senator in the mean- time. The 7,000 acres were sold to actual settlers, the lands proving exceptionally fine for orange-culture. The Doctor's services as State Senator resulted in the establishment of the Florida Bureau of Immigration (the first in the South after the war), of which he was its commissioner. The literature emanating from his office at Jacksonville ("Florida as it is"), did much to spread information relating to that State. His assistant was Watertown's well-known and honored townsman, Mr. Samuel Fairbanks. The direct results of that class of literature have been frequent and important. In 1881 he removed again to Sanford, which is his present home.

The Doctor and Mrs. French have reared three children: Adele, the wife of Mr. Edward T. Lane, of Anderson, Indiana ; Hattie, wife of Mr. Wm. F. Leavitt, of San- ford, Fla., and A. V. French, the only son, who resides near Sanford, and is engaged in orange culture.

The history of Dr. French illustrates in a marked degree what perseverance, energy and integrity will accomplish. He began poor and was not favored by influential

HO.1 ENG; 11. 5 V.A. .. Y.

MR. AND MRS. SETH FRENCH, SANFORD, FLA.

WILNA.

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friends, but he built up a name for integrity and skill as a physician that will endure long after he has passed away. Once, when a boy, he visited the Hon. Silas Wright, at Canton, and Mr. Wright asked him what he proposed to become. Young French replied, "Well, sir, I don't know." Mr. Wright turned to him and in all earnestness said, "My young friend, you can become any- thing you desire." This was ever an ineen- tive to the Doctor. He aimed high, and though he has probably never achieved what he sometimes hoped to, he has at least

MARTIN RUGG

WAS born near Martinsburg in 1818, son of Elijah Rugg, who came from Vermont. At the age of 10 Martin's parents removed to Pamelia, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1836 he came to Carthage, where he soon began husiness for himself, and rapidly accumulated a fortune. He retired from business in 1881, and has since then de- voted himself to the care of his estate. He has been an estimable citizen for many years, and enjoys the respect of his neighbors. Mr.

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RESIDENCE OF MARTIN RUGG, CARTHAGE.

achieved enduring remembrance in the hearts of the men with whom he served in the Union army. His life shows what even a poor boy can attain in this free land. Indeed, we know of no life that has been spent in this county which contains more encouragement for a struggling young man than that of Dr French. We knew him well in the field, for he gave tender care to many of my wounded men, some of whom he stood over in death. He was a courageous man, the shriek of shells never made him nervous. He was the soldier's friend. J. A. H.

Rugg has the handsomest private resi- dence in Carthage. He had three brothers, Charles, George and Silas, all deceased, and they were respected citizens. George was a resident of New York city during the latter part of his life, and his family resides in that city. Mrs. Silas Rugg is a resident of Car- thage. Charles Rugg conducted a brick yard for several years in Carthage. This family has been unusually industrious and enterprising and are another illustration of what labor and sticking to it will accomplish joined to good health.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

BRIEF MENTION OF FORMER RESI- DENTS AND BUSINESS MEN.

O. T. ATWOOD, associate editor of the Republican for a short time and an attorney and counsellor-at-law, and afterward clerk in the Treasury Department at Washington.

MICHAEL D. MCCANNA was a popular post- master and universally respected.

CAPTAIN J. A. BROWN was a veteran of the late war and in a rebel prison for two years. His health was undermined by the hardships endured while in prison.

JOHN C. KELLOGG reared a large family of children and afterward married Mrs. Lydia Hoyt. He was an enterprising citizen.

JOHN T. WALSH built the Mechanics' Hall Block and has been a business man of Car- thage for many years; now retired.

NOYES TUTTLE was for many years pro- prietor of a grist-mill in Carthage and moved to Utica, where he and his wife died.

JESSE VANSLYKE kept the Levis House, and died March 10, 1865, aged 35, leaving many friends.

H. C. RICH, who resided for many years on the site of the Bones block in a house long since destroyed.

WM. H. HUBBY, who with Deacon Weed were once prominent business men, under the name of Hubby & Weed. Mr. Hubby was an active, shrewd man. Visiting Mil- waukee on business, he lost his life by the wreck of the Lady Elgin.

CLARK WAY, a prominent merchant of Carthage, who sold out to Mr. C. Frederick. He was a citizen whose death, September 14, 1860, cast a gloom over the community. Resolutions of respect by Carthage Lodge, No. 158, were signed by Joseph Crowner, Chas. T. Hammond and George Gilbert, com- mittee, now all deceased.

DR. B. S. BUDD, for many years a prac- ticing physician of Carthage. His son, William C., was killed in battle in an Iowa regiment. B. C. Budd, another son, was also in the service and won distinction.

JAMES T. PEDEN, for many years a pop- ular physician of Carthage.

RICHARD GALLAGHER was one of the early merchants of Carthage building the Gal- lagher block, and was associated with Mr. Woolson at one time in the furniture busi- ness, manufacturing the same by horse- power. Mr. Gallagher was a leading citizen and merchant and one of the prime movers in the introduction of the present free school system. He was twice married and reared a large family, and died in the spring of 1890. A steamboat on Black river, built in 1860, was named after him.

ABEL NUTTING, who was captain of home guards and in the late war, serving with dis- tinction.

ALMONT BARNES, formerly editor of the Black River Budget, was captain of Com- pany C., 1st N. Y. Artillery, and was active in recruiting soldiers. He was lieutenant in the Carthage Battery.

ALVA WILSON, another editor of the Black River Budget, was captain in an Iowa regi- ment.

CHARLES W. SMITH, supervisor of the town of Wilna in 1860, was a gentleman who had many friends. He and his wife died universally respected.

CLARK DODGE, for many years a promi- nent merchant of Carthage, and a banker in Boonville at the time of his death. In early manhood he was a wagon-maker in Carthage. He built Dodge block, which was burned in 1861, and a fine residence on State street, burned in 1884. Hisson, Eugene, is a banker in Boonville, and was a lieutenant in the late war.

TITUS MORGAN was for many years in the harness business in Carthage, and was postmaster in 1861. He and his wife were Universalists in belief, and lived honorable lives, the most of which was spent in Car- thage. His father, Pliny Morgan, came to his death by falling down stairs, and died in Wilna, March 3, 1863, aged 92 years.

HENRY B. EDMONDS was born in the town of Orleans in 1840, and is the son of Benja- min D. Edmonds. He came to Carthage in 1876, where he acted as station agent for the Utica & Black River R. R. until 1887, when he interested himself in insurance. In 1893 he was elected justice of the peace. He mar- ried Mary A. Miller, of Orleans, and they have one son, Harry J. Mr. Edmonds is a thorough business man, who has many friends.

JOHN BETTIS VINIER was born in Canada, in 1814, and came to Carthage when a lad. He married Alice, daughter of Alexander Yattau, both of French descent. They had 10 children, four living : John B. and Frank served in the late war, now deceased ; Eleazer J. and George are business men of Carthage ; Mary Alice, his daughter, is the wife of Victor Guyot, of Carthage. John B. Vinier, the father, has been a life-long resi- dent of Carthage, and a quiet and respected citizen, His wife died in April, 1894, aged 71 years.

HENRY HABERER was village undertaker, and a business man of Carthage for many years. His sons are large furniture manu- facturers at Low ville.

CHARLES H. KIMBALL, a well-known resi- dent of Carthage, was born July 17, 1812, and was the son of Richard H. and Deborah (Saltmarsh) Kimball, of Haverhill, Mass. He married Miss Julia V. Vinton, of Cornish, N. H. Their children are: Mrs. Julia Briggs, of Rome, N. Y .; Mrs. Augusta V. Smith, of Boston, Mass .; Mrs. Carrie S. Wilmot, of Watertown; Mrs. Mary K. Mason, of James- town, N. Y .; Mrs. Deborah K. Foster, of Parsons, Kan., and Hon. Charles H. Kimball, Jr., of the same place, where he is State Sen- ator. Mr. Kimball, Sr., died in 1883. His widow survives him a most estimable lady. Mr. Kimball was a skillful stone mason and built many of the most substantial buildings of Carthage.

GRAND UNION HOTEL, CARTHAGE, N. Y.

AND STATE BRIDGES, CARTHAGE, N. Y.

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WILNA.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

GEORGE B. FARRINGTON was the second son of Harvey and Delia (Ellis) Farrington, who came from Dedham, Mass., to Water- town to reside. After spending some years there they bought a farm in Rutland, where their son George was born. From there they removed to Carthage, where he remained until the age of 14 years; then going to Watertown he hecame a clerk in the store of Cady & Hawks. From there he went to New York, when, at the age of 20, he be- came junior member of the dry goods house of Eno, Roberts & Co. Unfortunately the house did a large business in the South, and at the time of the Rebellion was, with so many others, a victim. He then engaged in the tea-business, and for more that 20 years successfully conducted one of the largest trades of the kind in New York city. His success in business was largely owing to his honor and integrity. His only capital at the beginning was the possession of those virtues in a marked degree. Early in life he mar- ried Amelia A., the only daughter of James P. Hodgkins, and for 35 years spent an ex- ceptionally happy married life in Brooklyn. Perhaps we can better portray his true char- acter by giving what his neighbors and friends said of him at his death, which occurred December 6, 1892: "He was all that constituted a great man-in strength of character, in majesty and culture of intellect, in refinement and tenderness of manly affec- tion, in his firm devotion to the sentiments of truth. He possessed a wealth of manhood that made him stand in reality, as he did in physical stature, head and shoulders above the multitudes. He was a man who would have graced the highest position in our nation, but who cast aside flattering offers of political honors. He preferred the quiet of his family and companionship of his books. He was diligent in business, generous with his means, and has left an indellible influence for good upon the young wherever his char- acter was understood."

NICHOLAS WAGONER, a prominent resident of Carthage and Wilna for 35 years, was born July 12, 1828, at Fort Plain, N. Y., the son of William and Leah Wagoner. He was one of a large family of children, and when about 15 years of age came with his parents to Natural Bridge and assisted at clearing and stocking the farm. He became tired of agricultural pursuits and in in 1850 removed to Carthage and purchased a canal boat. Success attended his efforts. For many years he was the only coal dealer in Car- thage. In 1853 he married Miss Ellen P Levis, daughter of the late William P. Levis (who came to Carthage in 1837, and died in 1873). Mr. Wagoner's children are: E. C. Wagoner, Carrie (Mrs. George Manchester, of Pittsburg, Pa.), and Grace. Mr. Wagoner was a firm Republican, and was often called to fill positions of trust. He was president

of the village three terms, trustee of the vil- lage 17 terms, and at the time of his death in 1886, was the village and town assessor, which office he had held for many years. For a number of years he was treasurer of the Carthage Union Agricultural Society. "Nick," as he was familiarly called, was the friend of everybody and universally beloved and esteemed. His widow resides in Car- thage with her son.

DR. ELI WEST was a native of Hampton, Washington county, N. Y., and was born July 26, 1792. He became a resident of Car- thage in 1816, and for many years was a well known and popular physician, a justice of the peace and a leading citizen. He was the first Master of Carthage Lodge, No. 158, F. A. M., upon its first institution in 1850. His son, Eugene West, was postmaster at Car- thage at one time, and DeWitt C., another son, became a prominent merchant at Low- ville, Lewis county, and was president of the Utica & Black River R. R. Dr. West died in Carthage, July 23, 1866, aged 74 years.

JESSE E. WILLIS was born in Berne, Al- bany county, N. Y., in March, 1821, where he resided until 13 years of age, at which time his father came to Carthage, and engaged in the manufacture of axes. At 21 Jesse served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade in Antwerp. In 1844 he married Betsey Seymour, and removed to Somerville, St. Lawrence county. In 1862 he was appointed quartermaster, with the rank of captain, in the volunteer service of the Union army. He was assigned to duty at Keokuk, Iowa, and was mustered out at the close of the war. In 1868 he returned to Carthage. In February, Captain Willis was appointed postmaster at Carthage, which position he held for 17 con- secutive years. He nearly lost his life by falling from the tower of the Presbyterian church. In 1853 he was elected Member of Assembly. His first wife died in 1875, after which he married Miss Mary E. Miller. Mr. Willis died May 13, 1889.

MANLY LOOMIS is one of the earliest settlers of the village of Carthage. He knows of no man who was a resident when he came, in 1841. He was born September 7. 1817, of English descent, and the son of Alvin Loomis, who came to Champion in 1832. In 1857 Manly started the manufacture of carri- ages, in which business he has been interested longer than any other person in the town. Carthage was called "Long Falls," and had no shade trees or sidewalks when he came. Mr. Loomis is an Abolitionist, and in early days the colored man found a shelter with him. He was at one time candidate for Member of Assembly on the Abolition ticket. He is a strong temperance man, and at the age of 77 is still an active business man. He married Rachel Baldwin, of Albany, N. Y., in 1839. Their children are: George (de- ceased), Stoel W., Jay A., Laura and Lucelia,

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THE GROWTHI OF A CENTURY.

wife of Frank G. Willis, who resides in Evansville, Ind. George served three years in the 2nd N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and died in September, 1894. He never entirely re- covered from the hardships endured while in the army. Stoel also served in the 2nd N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and held the office of corporal and sergeant. Stoel is in business with his father, and Jay is also also an enter- prising business man.

JOHN S. EDWARDS was born in Trumbull, Conn., March 23, 1803, coming from the family that produced the celebrated Jona- than Edwards. During the early part of his life he taught school, and afterwards engaged in mercantile business at Stephney, Conn. In the spring of 1828 he removed with his wife (whose maiden name was Climena Nichols) to Black Lake, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he carried on a general store and hotel. The postoffice of Edwardsville was established about this time, he being the first postmaster. In 1837 Mr. Edwards pur- chased 62,000 acres of land, being part of the McComb purchase, and soon after re- moved to Antwerp, and thence to Plainfield, N. J., where he resided until 1846, in which year he was appointed agent by Dr. Austin Sherman, of New York, for the sale of cer- tain lands owned by him in Jefferson county. He then removed to Carthage, where he re- sided (with the exception of three years spent in Albany, N. Y.) until the time of his death, May, 1893. Mr. Edwards was much esteemed in the community, where he had repeatedly been elected to local offices on the Democratic ticket. For many years he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Car- thage. His daughter, Mrs. Amanda Mann- ing, died March 9, 1895. She was the eldest of five children, and much respected.

FOSTER PENNIMAN was born in Black River, May 13, 1824. He is the son of Zurial Penniman, who came from Keene, Vt. Fos- ter has been a resident of Wilna for 54 years. He moved to Carthage about 1887. He has been supervisor of the town two terms and held many minor town offices. He married Esther Pierce, of Black River, and their children are: Charles, who occupies the homestead in Wilna, and Nancy, wife of Charles Strickland, of Denmark. Mr. Penni- man is much respected by his neighbors and friends.

REMSEN R. BROWN, for many years a hotel-keeper in Jefferson county, and for the past 35 years a resident of Carthage, was born in Sharon, Schoharie county, N. Y., in 1810. He was the son of Peter and Mary (Loucks) Brown. Rensen R. Brown came into Jefferson county in 1818 with his parents, who settled in the town of Antwerp at what is now known as Bentley's Corners. There his father and mother reared a large family of children, all of whom are now de- ceased except Remsen R., who remained at home with his father until 1821, when he went to Alexandria Bay and entered the em- ploy of Chauncey Westcott, one of the first

inn-keepers upon the great river. In this county he was first known as an hotel-keeper at Felts Mills. He came to Carthage in 1854 and purchased the Horace Henry hotel, then a small hostelry, which Mr. Brown enlarged and kept until 1861, the fire of that year to- tally destroyed it. One month after the fire he began to rebuild, and in a little over three months he put up what is now the Levis House. In 1870 he sold that property, and retired from hotel-keeping. He is now in his 85th year, enjoying good health, and having the appearance of a man of 65. His wife is still spared to share his earthly pil- grimage. She has been faithful to the for- tunes of her husband in all seasons and under all circumstances.

LOUIS FREDERICK BACHMAN, for many years a leading business man of Carthage, was born in Plenschitz, Germany, January 24, 1840. He was the son of John Bachman, and came with his parents when but 10 years of age to Naumburgh, Lewis county. He was in the stores of F. G. Connell and Bones & Frederick until the opening of the war, when he enlisted in Company D, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, receiving promotion from time to time, and discharged in 1864 as quartermaster sergeant. After the war he studied pharmacy in the West, and return- ing to Carthage in 1865, again entered the employ of Bones & Frederick. He pur- chased Mr. Bones' interest on the death of the latter, and entered into business under the firm name of Frederick & Bachman. This firm was dissolved in 1877, when Mr. Bachman opened a drug store across the street, which he occupied until his death, April 9, 1888. He married Miss Vina Schef- fry, of Wilna, January 24, 1872, and they have three children, all of whom survive him. Mr. Bachman was a conscientious Christian gentleman. He was devotedly attached to the M. E. Church, in which he was a consistent member, carrying out the injunction to be " diligent in business, serv- ing the Lord."

JOHN WHALING, the present postmaster at Carthage, was born in the town of Phila- delphia, July 29, 1851, and is the son of John Whaling, who came to this country in 1848, and died in 1872. John was reared on a farm near Philadelphia, and has been a life-long resident of the county. After hav- ing the advantages of the common schools, he attended Ives Seminary. at Antwerp. The efficient and obliging manner in which he filled the position of deputy postmaster, under L. H. Mills, and afterward that of acting postmaster, won the respect of the public, proving him to be a clear-headed, progressive business man. He has been chosen three times to represent the town of Wilna as its supervisor. He is interested in a stock farm near Philadelphia, and is secretary of the Carthage Driving Park Association. He is a member of the firm of Walsh & Whaling, furniture dealers, who carry a large stock of goods.

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WILNA.

LEWIS H. MILLS, a prominent and successful business man of Carthage, was born in Kent county, Conn , the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Webster Mills. Early in life he devel- oped the sterling business qualities of his New England parentage, and at 18 started out for himself. He was married, May 16, 1851, to Fidelia Pitkin, of Hartford, Conn., and came soon after to Sterlingville, this county, and engaged in merchandise with his uncle, Ezra Shipp. After various busi- ness ventures at Harrisville, Lowville and Great Bend, he purchased the Walton House and store at Sterlingville. In April, 1864, his wife died. At Sterlingville he carried on the iron business for several years, coming to Carthage in 1869, and with Mr. Gere, from Syracuse, purchased the old furnace property, and organized the Carthage Iron Company. They carried on the iron busi- ness for many years. In 1865 Mr. Mills mar- ried Julia A. Sterling, daughter of James Sterling, one of the old iron masters of Jefferson county. At the time of his death Mr. Mills was extensively engaged in the lumber business in Carthage. On Christmas day, 1888, he dropped dead in his store. In 1886 he had been appointed postmaster, and held that position at the-time of his death. He had two sons by his second wife, Louis. and Antoine, the latter a law student with Hon. Mr. Kilby.

HENRY FLINT, long a resident of North Wilna, has resided there for the past 20 years. He is the son of Oliver and Sally (Scofield) Flint. He was born and resided in the town of LeRay. He had the benefit of the com- mon schools, but this privilege was gained only by walking six miles each day, milking 10 cows night and morning, but he utilized his evenings by studying his books by the light of a tallow candle. The Judge is a little proud in relating the obstacles that he over- came in obtaining an education. He has re- mained a farmer all his life, and owns one of the best farms in North Wilna, but he has also been a local politician, and is now, as he has been for several years, a leading Demo- crat of Wilna. The recent landslide that has overtaken his party was a dissappointment to him, but he does not waver in his devotion to Hill and his fortunes. He has been justice of sessions for two terms, and was for three years a justice of the peace, and has held many minor positions in his town. The Judge is now 55 years of age, has reared a family of four children, all daughters, and they are all married and settled in life.

SAMUEL LOOMIS was born in Connecticut, and was an early settler in the town of Cham- pion. He married Sally Sanders, who was born in Halifax, Vt., and came to Champion in 1807, residing near Pleasant Lake. She died near Carthage in 1875. Samantha, the only surviving child, was born in Champion in 1814, and married Abram Smith, taking up their residence in Denmark. In 1852 Mr. Smith went to California, and was killed by a land-slide in 1854. They had two daughters :

Cledectine, who died in 1857, and Sarah M., wife of Nelson Lamphear. Nelson has three childen : Burton, Fanny and Fred. Mrs. Smith has resided in Carthage and vicinity during the past 30 years with her daughter, Mrs. Lamphear. Corinna Loomis, another daughter of Samuel Loomis, was born in 1807, and married, when 19 years of age, Hiram Lamphear, whom she survived a few years, and again married William Bassett, of Den- mark. She died in Carthage, in 1883.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 167

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