The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 19

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 19

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In 1867, Governor Reuben E. Fenton ap- pointed Col. Shaw to be colonel of the 36th regiment of the N. Y. S. N. G.

In 1872 he married Mary Sherwood Keith, daughter of Charles W. Keith, Esq., of Chi- cago, Ill. His was the first marriage after the great fire in that city. Three children have blessed this happy union - Henry L. Keith Shaw, Mabel Keith Shaw and Minnie Scott Shaw.

Since his retirement from the consulate at Manchester, Col. Shaw has resided in this city, but since coming to Watertown to re- side, he has made several trips to Europe. In the intervals he made several addresses on Grand Army occasions, which were char- acterized by graceful thought and fervid eloquence, among which was an address on the laying of the corner stone of the monu- ment to the soldiers and sailors of Jefferson county, and which now decorates the public square of our city. His address upon this occasion was replete with earnest thought expressed in cultured and eloquent language; its delivery enchaining the attention and charmed all who heard it. [See that ad- dress in full. ]

In several presidential campaigns he has been in demand as a Republican orator, and under the direction of the National Repub- lican Committee has addressed the people in various parts of the country in a convinc- ing and effective manner.

In January, 1893, he was unanimously se- lected by the board of trustees of Cornell University, to deliver the Founder's Day oration. On that eventful occasion he was surrounded by men of culture and of high literary attainments, but he was fully equal to the occasion, and his effort won the en- comiums of all who heard it. That Foun- der's Day oration will always be cherished by the friends of Cornell University, and will rank with the masterpieces of oratory.

Col. Shaw has been three times elected President of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation, and in 1893 was elected President of the Chamber of Commerce, Watertown.

Thus do we record on the printed page of

THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

our History a brief summary of a most bril- liant career, fully believing that the record thereof will carry with it an influence that will be lasting for good, and especially will it stimulate youthful minds to higher en- deavor, and illustrate what success and noble achievements are possible, yea prob- able to him who industriously labors with an honest, intelligent purpose, to do the best he can in his day and generation.

Col. Shaw is now in the prime of life, in the full enjoyment of mental and physical vigor, which indicates that his distinguished career of usefulness will be greatly pro- longed, and we are confident that the future will bring to him greater preferment and honor than bave yet crowned his brow with the laurel of victory. J. A. H.

LIEUT. LOTHARIO D. MORGAN.

Chauncey D. Morgan came to Watertown about 1825, and settled upon a large farm near the centre of the town. He was for a time in the employ of the R., W. & O. Railroad, but he is best remembered as a progressive farmer, a man of enlarged intelligence and one who kept up with the times. He raised two sons, Homer Bartlett and Lothario Don- aldson. He died in 1872, and his beloved wife (Almena Bartlett) in 1877. Homer graduated from Hamilton College, and be- came a Christian missionary to Turkey, dy- ing at Smyrna in 1865. Lothario D. was born in 1829, and came to man's estate upon his father's farm. He married Evalina M. Manning. In 1861 Lothario enlisted in the 35th New York, was made lieutenant in Company A, and served nearly through the regiment's term of two years, resigning af- ter Antietam, from impaired health. Return- ing to Watertown, he engaged in business, and lived respected by all. He died in 1884, leaving his widow with one daughter. They reside at 27 Ten Eyck street, Watertown. Lieut. Morgan is remembered by his com- rades as one of the most courageous, ami- able and democratic officers of that brave regiment, which went at the first call, witb- out bounties, and gladly went, to aid the Union cause.

COLONEL WILLIAM WALLACE ENOS

Was born in Depauville, Jefferson county, in 1835. He was the son of Gaylord and Minerva Enos, who were among the early settlers of this region. Gaylord Enos was a man of strong character, striking individu- ality and superior ability. He was long prominent in the life of the section, and his wife was a beautiful woman, eminently en- dowed with all the home virtues that make married life sweet and tender. As a neigh- bor, she was loved for her interest in the sick, and her ever faithful friendship; as a wife and mother, she gave her life to her family, and was the ever dear center of her home.

William W. Enos was reared at his father's

home in Depauville, until his 16th year. He was educated in the common school and at the academy in Lafargeville. He was a good student, and early developed a fondness for commercial life. In 1852 he accepted a posi- tion as clerk in a country store at Chaumont, N. Y., with Mr. Ira Inman, in whose employ he passed two years. At the age of 20, in 1855, he became the junior partner with Messrs. Ira Inman and George W. Smith, of Chaumont, and continued with this prosper- ous firm until the breaking out of the great rebellion in 1861. The wave of patriotic fervor which throbbed through the whole North when Sumter was fired upon, stirred young Enos like a bugle call, and he left his business and enlisted in defense of the Union. He was the first to respond from the town of Lyme, for two years' service - under President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 vol- unteers. In April, 1861, he joined Co. "A," 35th N. Y. Vols., and served two years faith- fully, until mustered out at the expiration of the term of service of this famous regi- ment. Owing to causes resulting from jeal- ousies and combinations, common in the first two years of the war, Mr. Enos did not receive the promotion so plainly his due - and he was mustered out as sergeant. Brave, loyal and faithful, his service was a proud part of the gallant record of the 35th, which was made up of some of the best material of any regiment in the Union service. In the fall of 1863-having been mustered out of service in June-he entered Co. "K," 18th N. Y. Cavalry, as lieutenant, and served in the Department of the Gulf until the close of the war. He passed through the famous Red River campaign under General Banks, and was promoted to a captaincy for meri- torious services in the field. In June, 1865, after the last rebel had surrendered, he re- signed, and returned to his home and friends in Jefferson county. This covers, very briefly, a record of faithful service unsur- passed for pure patriotism and unselfish de- votion to principle and duty. Young Enos left a very promising commercial business, which would undoubtedly have made his fortune. He was a business man - full of enterprise - and the war period was a rare one for accumulating wealth. As it was, he came home to re-enter business just as prices began to decline, and he found it hard work to get a foothold on a paying basis. How- ever, by the exercise of great caution, he gradually won his way to fair success. His subsequent business career in Chaumont, N. Y., has been most creditable, and fairly prosperous. He has dealt in dry goods, grain, real estate and other commercial lines. Since his return from the army he has been prominent in the public life of his town and county. He has been justice of the peace, postmaster, supervisor and mem- ber of Assembly. In 1867 Mr. Enos was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 36th Regiment, N. G. State of New York, by Governor R. E. Fenton. Mr. Enos was ınar-

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

ried to Miss Emma Dayan in 1872. Four children have blessed that union. Miss Clara was educated at Albany, N. Y., and his sons George and Copley are at Cornell University; Julia, the youngest, is now at- tending school at home.

The above brief record gives an outline picture of one of that grand army of volun- teers who periled all for the defense of their native land, and without bounties. Col. Enos was a type of citizen to which our present civilization owes a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. His highest am- bition was to see the laws of his country en- forced, and freedom become the heritage of all our people, black as well as white. He passed safely through the four terrible years of the war, and at the age of 59, in fairly good health, with an interesting family about him, a competency sufficient to secure him all his needed comforts, he looks back upon a useful life-work with no regret over the part he played in the wonderful events which secured a new birth of freedom to this country and its people.

Colonel Enos is a man of peculiar force of character, but of a high standard of citizen- ship. His word is always regarded as good as his bond. He is frank and outspoken almost to a fault, but his heart is in the right place and his impulses broad and gen- erous. He is a man of large intelligence, loyal friendship, and ranks among the best citizens our county has ever produced, for integrity of character, patriotic services and usefulness in all relations of life. A. D. S.

The author of this history is glad to bear honest testimony to all our beloved comrade, Col. Shaw, has said above. Young Enos I first knew in the field. a soldierly, enterpris- ing, resolute and sham-hating man. The wet, cold ground was only too often his rest- ing place after a weary day's travel. I well remember when we were stalled near Cat- lett's, in Virginia, by an unprecedented snow storm, with no shelter save the light summer tents, which were so short at both ends that if your head was protected your legs from the knees down were "out in the rain," and by frequent changes in the night, at morning both legs and head and should- er's would be soaked through. And how well I remember that Enos and some dozen of those Co. A. boys had got on the lee side of a hay rack, built for feeding cattle. and were bragging how comfortable they were! Think of it; such a party of tenderly-raised young men only too glad to lie down in a place built for cattle. The very next night after we left Catlett's, under a forced order to relieve troops at Fredericksburg, Col. Lord, at dark, was holding regimental head- quarters in an abandoned hog-pen, and was thankful to get enough clean straw to drop down upon, fatigued almost to insensibility. These are episodes which endear men to each other. J. A. H.

GEORGE F. DRESSOR, whose scholarly face is shown on the composite picture of officers and men of the 35th Regiment, was born in Houndsfield. in 1841, was one of the first to enlist, and was assigned to Co. A, 35th N. Y. Infantry. He was a meritorious and exem- plary soldier, participating in all the marches and skirmishes of that regiment until the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862, when his left leg was shot away by a cannon ball, the regiment being for a time exposed to a severe artillery fire at compar- atively short range for over two hours while in position upon the left of Burnside's com- mand. Of course his fighting days were then over, and as soon as he could be re- moved from the hospital he returned to his home in Watertown, which city has since been his residence. Mr. Dressor enjoys the respect and regard of all who know him, and his acquaintances are by no means lim- ited. He married Helen L. Wilson, July 26, 1866, daughter of Samuel and Lucy Wilson, and they have one son, Walter William.

George Dressor's father was that Chaun- cey Dressor whose life for many years ran parallel with the history of Watertown. He was born at Tunnbridge, Vt., in 1800, and in 1804 his father (Alanson) removed to Wa- tertown, and helped to strike the first pio- neer blows with such contemporaries as the Masseys, Keyes and Coffeen-when Can- field was the only shoemaker and Doolittle the only blacksmith in town. The farm owned by Judge Keyes was the original purchase of Alanson Dressor. Chauncey was left penniless at an early age by the death of his father, but he acquired enough education to enable him to teach school. In 1838 he married Lydia S., daughter of Farmington Styles, of Evans Mills, and in 1850 had accumulated enough means to purchase a farm of 100 acres at Huntingtonville, to which he made addi- tions until he possessed 200 acres. Upon that farm the soldier son George grew up, and from it he enlisted when Capt. Haddock opened a recruiting office in Watertown for the 35th. The father of George died July 21, 1876, respected as a just and intelligent man, leaving a son who inherited all his father's patriotism and intelligence.

CAPTAIN JAY DEFOREST MCWAYNE.

Among the citizen-soldiers from Jefferson county, Jay DeForest McWayne was a fine type of the resolute young men who left the school. the farm and the forge to battle for a common country. Mr. McWayne was born at Sackets Harbor, June 21, 1834. He grew up under conditions rendering it nec- essary for him to early help himself, and at the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861 he was engaged in business as a blacksmith. He had come from New England stock, and his patriotic ardor early showed itself in an offer he made to pay $300 to the support of volunteers from his town who would

THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

enlist to sustain the old flag. But when the stars and stripes were fired upon at Fort Sumter, and the call for 75,000 volunteers came, he patriotically refused to make a breastwork of his business between himself and the field of war-and he was the first in his town to enlist as a private to go and protect " Old Glory." He aided in recruit- ing Co. K of the 35th N. Y. Vols., and was first sergeant, and when the regiment was fully organized was promoted to second lieutenant. He was a faithful officer, and won high praise from all by his energy, bravery and strict attention to every duty. During the winter of 1861-2 he was sta- tioned at Falls Church, Va., a small town, and was made first lieutenant while there. In the spring and summer of 1862 he com- manded the provost guard at General Pat- rick's headquarters. and had charge of the court-house and jail at Fredericksburg, Va. This was a position demanding good judg- ment and executive ability, and he filled it with satisfaction to his superior officers. At his urgent request he was relieved of pro- vost duty on September 14, 1862, so as to go back to his company. The captain and sec- ond lieutenant being sick in hospital, Lieu- tenant McWayne had charge of his com- pany during the eventful campaign which followed. Through all the battles the 35th were engaged in Lieutenant McWayne did his part nobly-ever first to the front and last to leave a post of danger. He was dis- charged at Elmira in June, 1863. On his return home he at once commenced recruit- ing for the 18th N. Y. Cavalry, but owing to the unfortunate lack of honor on the part of the officer having the organization in hand, he did not finally enter this regiment. But he could not keep out of the great conflict, and took a prominent part in organizing the 186th N. Y. Vols., and he was mustered in as captain at Madison Barracks. Sept. 5, 1864, the first company to do so. The regi- ment was ordered to City Point, Va., before it was fairly organized, where they arrived seasick and homesick, and disgusted with being put to work on fortifications. Many were sick, and the dissatisfaction became so great abont fighting with shovels and picks as sappers and miners that the regiment was ordered before Petersburg. Here there was activity enough, and the sound of the rebel bugle calls could be distinctly heard the first day the regiment got into position. In a short time excellent drill and discipline followed careful attention to details. and it was surprising to see men just from civil life so soon become well-trained soldiers. The 186itli regiment participated in the ever- memorable assaults on the rebel works about Petersburg. and won high praise for its valor, as the rebels again and again gave way before this splendid regiment's charges. With the close of the war Captain McWayne was mustered out of a service he greatly honored, and in which he won great distinc- tion as a model American volunteer soldier.

At this writing. he is living on a farm, in a happy and pleasant home, near the village in which he was born. His later ambition is to further improve the American trotting horse, of which he is an excellent judge.

A. D. S.

Since the biographical sketch of Captain J. D. McWayne was prepared, the follow- ing facts have come to the knowledge of the author, and which relate both to Captain McWayne and to the 186th Regiment, in which he served as captain: On the morn- ing of the 3d of April, 1865, succeeding the engagement of the previous day, in which the regiment had participated, Captain Mc- Wayne, because of the disability or absence of the field officers of the regiment, was the senior captain present, and commanded the regiment. On that morning he received an order to report, with the regiment, at the headquarters of the 2d brigade of the 2d division, 9th army corps, to which the 186th belonged. At the moment when he had completed the formation of said regiment, General S. G. Griffin, then in command of the 2d division, and who was present on the field of battle the day previous, rode up with his staff and addressed the regiment. In his speech he complimented the regiment for its bravery and heroism in the late battle, expressing at the same time his sorrow for the wounded and the absent colonel, and his sincere wish and also his sincere sorrow for all those who had been killed and disabled. In further addressing the regiment he said: "Soldiers of the 186th Regiment, you have crowned yourselves with glory. Your country can never pay you for your services. You have taken the impregnable Fort Mahone, and have largely contributed to the crushing of the rebellion. In future you will be held in reserve, and when we want good men we will call on you."

For this report of General Griffin's words, the author of this history is indebted to Mr. John G. Wood, of Pillar Point, a member of the 186th Regiment, and who was pres- ent and distinctly remembers the words uttered by General Griffin.

Louis C. Greenleaf, whose well-known likeness is shown on our composite soldier- page, is a descendant of that John D. Green- leaf, born in Vermont in 1803, coming, when a mere child, with his father to Smithville, N. Y., and a few years later set- tled in LaFargeville. When twenty years of age Mr. Greenleaf removed to Clayton, and for a short time was a clerk in the store of General W. H. Angel. He then engaged with Merick & Smith, as clerk, and had charge of their lumber business in Quebec, being employed by them for nearly twenty years. He then returned to La- Fargeville, and there remained until 1857, when he located in Seneca, Ontario county.

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

He married Julia Truesdell, of Quebec, and they had seven children, only one of whom, Louis C., resides in this county. Louis C. Greenleaf was born in LaFargeville, No- vember 23, 1840, whence he removed to On- tario county, and in 1860 located in Water- town, where he was engaged in the county clerk's office for one year. He enlisted in Co. A. 35th N. Y. Vols., and was with the first company that left Watertown for the battlefields in the South. He served two years, and then entered the provost-mar- shal's office in this city, where he remained until the close of the war. He married Lorra Cornelia Shaffer, and they have two children, Josephine A. and Lydia C. After the discontinuance of the office of provost- marshal, Mr. Greenleaf was discount clerk in the Jefferson County Bank for two years, when he entered the Merchants' Bank as teller and assistant cashier, which position he ably filled for four years. In March, 1872. in company with C. W. Sloat, under the firm name of Sloat & Greenleaf, he en- gaged in the Inmber business, and the firm is now one of the most extensive in this part of the State. Mr. Greenleaf has al- ways been prominently identified with the interests of Watertown. He was the first city treasurer, which office he held two years, was county treasurer two terms, supervisor of the second ward several years, and is now a member of the board of edu- cation. He was captain of the State mili- tia, and was mustered out as major.

James Dolan, sergeant Co. G., whose face is upon our composite plate, enlisted at Adams, May 3, 1861; discharged at Elmira, June 5, 1863; born in Ireland, (" Ballysha- non," ) July 15, 1840; re-enlisted at Den- mark, Lewis county, December 24, 1863; mustered into United States service, Janu- ary 4, 1864; discharged July 18, 1865, at Nor- folk, Va., as Q. M. sergeant, Co. H., 13th regiment, N. Y. H. Art. Was absent from company as guide on Gen. French's staff at battle of Fredericksburg, Va., from Decem- ber 12, 1862, till December 16, 1862; was never absent at any other time for any pur- pose from either company during his two terms; was never wounded; participated in every action and skirmish in which either company was engaged; elected president of 35th N. Y. Vol. Veteran Association, De- cember 13, 1887; Post Commander, Joe Spratt Post, No. 323, at its organization; served two terms as A. D. C. on staff of commander-in-chief, G. A. R., and is re- membered by the old soldiers as one of their best friends in procuring recognition from the government for their arduous services. Captain Dolan is a living and charming per- sonality, a fair representative of the intelli- gence, the ardor and the patriotism of the men who first went into the Union army, not seduced by bounties, but actnated by the purest and noblest patriotism. They

will live in history as a noble example of manly devotion to the great cause. Captain Dolan is in the prime of life, with the prom- ise of a bright future vet before him.

Caleb Slocum, whose face is shown on one of the composite plates of the 35th regi- ment, is a LeRaysville boy, son of Samuel G. Slocum, who came into LeRay about 1814, from Dartmouth, Mass. The elder Slocum was a miller and clothier, and at an early date he built a grist mill and cloth- dressing works on Pleasant Creek and what has long been known as Slocum's Mills. This family is directly related to General Henry W. Slocum, lately deceased, loved and honored by his countrymen. Samuel G. Slocum was a member of the Society of Friends, and Caleb was reared in that faith, educated in the common schools, helping his father until he reached his majority. About that time Fort Sumter was fired upon, and Caleb was one of the very first to enlist, joining Co. A as a private soldier, but afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery in battle. As we have said, he was a member of the Society of Friends by what they designate a "birthright," and when it was known that he had enlisted, one of the most faithful and revered of that body (Daniel Childs) started on foot for Water- town to try and dissuade Caleb from any re- sort to warfare. He walked the streets of Watertown all night, and finding Caleb in the morning, used all the argument in his power to induce him to remain steadfast in the Friends' faith, that is, opposed to war. Caleb was stubborn, however, and patriot- ism prevailed over faith -so the Friends quietly dropped Caleb from their fellow- ship, and this incipient soldier went with his company to fight his way upward into prominence. Probably no man in the 35th had more friends than young Slocum, for he early showed great courage, judgment and fearlessness He always had a smile for a friend, and his wholesome, persistent, good nature was worth more than medicine to keep the boys' spirits amidst dismal sur- roundings. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of Co. A. as one of its noblest braves, an honor to the company and to the regiment. He is yet in the prime of life, and holds a position under the State in car- ing for two of the great dams that store up the waters of Black river in the Western Adirondacks.

George Van Vleck, another of the mem- bers of Co. A. 35th regiment, shown on the preceding composite plate, was born in the town of Antwerp in 1835, the son of a farmer, receiving his education in the com- mon schools of his native town. He left the farm and came to Theresa to learn mar- ble cutting from E. S. Stockwell. He re- moved to Watertown in 1858, and from

Wolves

COMLEY BROŞ NEW YORK.

BIOGRAPHIES.

there he enlisted into the 35th regiment, Co. A -- being one of the very first to go into the ranks of that celebrated company. He shared in all the battles and skirmishes and marches of his company, and was mustered out with the regiment at Elmira, having served two years. He returned to Water-

town and resumed work at his trade with Foster M. Ferrin. In 1873 he went into business for himself, and has followed his avocation successfully. He is married and has one child: he is hale and hearty, and may be seen daily at work in his marble yard at 68 Court street, Watertown.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 19

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