The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 50

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 50

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The remedy for the evil is largely in the hands of the wealthy. While the wealth of the community is engaged in developing its resources, opening fields of industry, organizing, educating, protecting and em- ploying labor, and founding institutions like this -its possessors will not be envied. While men in this country can rise by hon- orable ambition, success will not fail to command respect; while those who succeed continue to aid in the elevation of their fel- lows, they will be safe and secure in the enjoyment of their property and civil rights and the common well-being will continue to be a matter of common solicitude.

Finally, so long as those who have a superabundance will, following the patron- ess of this Home, provide for the comfort of those who by age or infirmity are de- barred from working, and compelled, through no fault of their own, to depend for support on charity - I speak with force of absolute conviction when I say that caste and class lines will not be drawn, and com- munism will find no foothold on American soil.

At the death of Henry Keep, his widow, now Mrs. Schley, who had shared his strug- gles and appreciated his desire to benefit his poorer neighbors, made a will in which she directed that, after her death, a portion of her estate should be set apart as a per- petual fund for the maintenance of worthy and needy old persons, residents of Jeffer- son county, who were too poor to be com- fortable on their own resources. In 1877 it occurred to her that while she was living would be the proper time to start such an institution. She purchased for $100,000 a large and valuable property in this city - the income, about $8,000, being set aside for the maintenance of the Home. She had

expended about $16,000 in addition, in erect- ing and furnishing this commodious and elegant building, which, gentlemen of the board of trustees, you have kindly given your time and attention in seeing pru- dently expended. In its now completed condition, the Home is capable of taking care of 65 persons. It has been regularly incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, as an Eleemosynary Institution, and, with its 35 acres of ground, suitable for garden purposes, and its annual income, it will stand, I trust, forever a blessing to the county, a monument to the charity and loving kindness of IIenry Keep, his wife, Emma Keep-Schley, and a refuge for many generations of indigent but worthy persons in times of trouble.

The excellent remarks of Governor Flower relative to Henry Keep, come with great appropriateness in this year (1894), of great financial disturbance and of railroad riot- ing, the result of an attempt to antagonize capital and labor by a few foolish, we had almost said criminal, agitators, who assume to represent labor, but whose hands rest while their mouths do their work. Mr. Keep has never been accurately described as a man, bis immediate family appearing to shun publicity, feeling no desire to escape oblivion through the printed page. He was a genial, courteous and most amiable, hand- some gentleman, well-known to the writer. Although, as the Governor says, his early life was spent amidst surroundings most forbidding, he showed the ability that was in him by readily taking on the bearing, the ease and the affability of the popular man of affairs. He was not a speaker nor a writer, as we now classify such men, but he had a common sense and a power to dis- criminate that was a much higher gift than anything claimed by them - he was able among the ahlest business men of the coun- try. It is not probable that he coveted great wealth, but the peculiar circumstances by which he was environed forced him along into great possessions. Dying early, he dis- tributed his wealth wisely and well, his sisters receiving a competency, and they remain with us, the very best among our people, respected and universally beloved.

JOHN F. MOFFETT.

JOHN F. MOFFETT was born in Paris Hill, Oneida county, on the 15th day of April, 1841. His parents, Charles D. and Emily H. Moffett, moved to Rodman in the spring of 1845. There he attended school until he was 17 years of age, and after that he put in two years at the old Jefferson County In- stitute.

In September, 1860, he obtained a situa- tion in the Watertown Bank and Loan Com- pany, of which Hon. George C. Sherman

was President, and Charles Strang, Cashier. He remained in this bank until 1865, when he was for a short time in the employ of Wooster Sherman's bank. In 1866 he was elected cashier of the Merchants' Bank, then a private banking institution, owned by Hon. Norris Winslow.

He remained in this position until the Merchants' Bank was organized as a State bank in 1870, and then continued to be identified with that institution until 1882,

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when he engaged in building water works, electric-light plants and railroads in many towns and cities throughout the country. His principal place of business is now in New York city, but his residence is with his family at 32 Sterling street, Watertown.

Mr. Moffett's career has been eventful and interesting. His mind is broad and not readily confined to petty details, though his education and rearing gave him a full

has been an enterprising. progressive citi- zen, advocating all the improvements that have built up Watertown, and it is a source of regret that his business takes him so much away, for his face is a pleasant one to meet, bis manner eminently democratic, and by being friendly he has made many friends. When in the Merchants' Bank, he was ever favorably inclined to aid men who were conducting industrial establishments,

JOHN N. MOFFETT.

knowledge of business both in trade and in banking. Large enterprises, even though attended with some risks, are congenial to his mind. His comprehensions are acute and critical, analyzing in an liour the de- tails that a man of less individuality might be a day in digesting. He is a broad man in his way of living, in his ways of think- ing and in the management of affairs. He

a class of people who had not, as a general thing, met with favors at the older banks in Watertown, when it was the fashion to require three to four indorsers upon a $50 note, when the maker owned enough prop- erty to pay taxes on $5,000. Such limited methods, let us hope, have forever passed away, and a broader system appears to be animating the breast of financiers.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

THE FAIRBANKS FAMILY.

THIS old and distinguished family has had larger recognition and more extended notice than any other in Jefferson county. Its founder in America came over in the May- flower, and the old homestead of this numer- ous tribe is still standing at Dedham, Mass., the oldest dwelling in New England.

It is undoubtedly true that all of this name in the United States are from this original stock. Jasan Fairbanks, the one with whom we have made especially to deal, was born Sept. 9, 1785, the son of Capt. Samuel Fairbanks, of Mendon, Mass., who was an officer in the Revolutionary army.

Jasan Fairbanks was a living illustration of what one man may accomplish in this free country, when starting right in life, even though lacking powerful friends or

JASAN FAIRBANKS.

favorable influences to advance his canse. At thirteen years of age he went to Boston. the Mecca of New England, where he bound himself as an apprentice to learn the saddle and harness trade with one James Bragg. In 1802, his master removing to Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y., the young appren- tice accompanied him. and in 1807 he was sent by Mr. Bragg into Western New York on business, but with the more important nio- tive of finding a place to settle for himself. Remoteness from markets (for this was long before the Erie canal was even dreamed of) seemed to promise slender prospect of growth for that section, and young Fair- banks resolved upon removing to Ogdens- burg, but the embargo temporarily checking

business, he visited Watertown in June, 1808, where the county buildings were abont being erected. The central location, the fine water power, and the beauty of the sur- rounding country presented a cheerful pros- pect to the enterprising artisan. At that time there were only five frame buildings in the village. On the 1st of September, 1808, he removed thither, and the next day opened a saddle and harness shop in com- pany with Calvin Knight, and continued that business uninterruptedly for 44 years, the firm undergoing several changes in name, but always having Jasan Fairbanks at the head. In 1810 he added shoemaking and tanning to his other handicraft, and was for many years connected with the business of carriage making and general merchandise.

In the course of these important opera- tions, extending through so many years, he had more than 500 apprentices, 365 of whom served out their time, and at least 350 be- came respectable citizens. A former sheriff of Jetterson county was one of Mr. Fair- banks' apprentices.

It is not the design, however, of the writer to enter upon the details of Mr. Fairbanks' eventful life. We can only glance at his leading characteristics, and draw a useful lesson from his success-a lesson of encour- agement for all who are patient and hope- ful in doing right.

In the first place he was pre-eminently a temperance man. On the very day he opened his shop he made a rule which he maintained throughout his career, that no intoxicating liquors should be used or brought in. This rule was seldom violated- never, with his knowledge-and he was led to its adoption from the fact that when he began his apprenticeship, being the young- est in the shop, he was required to run half the time for rum and water. By a very natural course of reasoning he inferred that so much loss of time was alike destructive to morals, as well as a formidable barrier to business success; and, while yet a boy, he formed the resolution which he ever after- wards maintained. In the next place he was an exceptionally industrious man. The writer of this well remembers his own jour- neys from his boarding house to the office at the early hour of sunrise, and scarcely ever failed to meet Mr. Fairbanks, usually on horseback, hurrying down Factory street to rouse the boys at the tannery. He gen- erally rang the bell on that edifice, it being fastened to what appeared to be a bullock's head projecting from the eaves, and as the rope was pulled inside, the bull's head would turn from side to side, vigorously ringing the bell, which was the signal for all that end of the town to " get up." This habit of early rising followed Mr. Fair- banks through his career. Towards the

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close of his long life his peculiar voice in encouraging his horse could be heard on Washington street almost any morning when on his way to his farm, long before sunrise.

He was always an honorable man in his deal. There was a time, over 50 years ago, when his multitudinous business appeared to all go wrong. He had manufactured largely, as well as packed a great deal of pork, expecting a lively market and brisk sales. Times turned against him, and he was caught, as a good many others have been, with plenty of property but hard up for ready cash. The narrow policy of the leading bank precluded any help from that source, and for a while he was forced to suspend payment. During his suspension several of his leading creditors proposed to take less than their full demands, sign off, and let the business go on. But this was not Mr. Fairbanks' way. He replied that he could pay 100 cents on the dollar, with in- terest, and should do it. And he did do it- coming out of a long business embarrass- ment with comfortable property and every creditor fully paid.

Having suffered from the lack of early scholastic education, he took good care that his children should all have the early advan- tages denied to him. They were as well educated as any family ever brought up in Northern New York.

His natural abilities were of the highest order, and these, joined to his wonderful self-reliance, almost wholly removed that lack of confidence so often observed in un- educated men. Mr. Fairbanks would have been a man of note anywhere, and such men as Silas Wright, William L. Marcy, Martin Van Buren and Preston King were glad to meet him, for his never-failing fund of anecdote and personal reminiscence in- structed as well as amused. During the dis- astrous finale to what was known as the " Patriot War," his counsel and plea for moderation at Kingston had more weight in sparing life there than any other man's, for he had dealt largely with the leading merchants of Canada, and they all knew his word was good for all he promised.

Considering Mr. Fairbanks' wonderful success upon the comparatively limited theatre occupied by him-in a new country, then far removed from the great markets of the world-hampered by surroundings which were not helpful to him as illustrated in the course of the bank, when he needed ready money greatly and had so much with which to make the bank secure; maintain- ing his place through half a century as one of the leading business men of the county- we can but imagine what his life would have been had he, like Astor and Girard, made a great city his home, and dealt in those articles of commerce which levied contributions on all countries and all climes. We believe that in such a position, no mat- ter how important, his wonderful pluck and self-reliance, combined with his industry,

temperance and strict integrity, would have made him the peer of any American busi - ness man, living or dead.

The very familiarity with which he was addressed and talked about affords a strik- ing illustration of his appreciation hy his fellow men. Zachary Taylor, whose per- sonal bearing and expression were much like our deceased townsman, while at the height of his deserved popularity as a general, was known to his idolizing soldiers as " Old Zack "-and when he rode before them at a review, or when drawn up in line of battle, they could hardly keep from laughing at his dumpy figure, with his resolute under lip protruding, and looking like some old farmer mounted on a general's horse. But they followed him farther than they would any other man, and accepted him as their leader against a whole world in arms. Our greatest President since Washington, the martyred Lincoln, seems dearer to all his earlier associates when they remember him as "Old Abe, " the greatest commoner of his time. The very nick-names bestowed upon our dead citizen only showed that he was one whom the common people had set up in their hearts as worthy to be designated by some household term.

Like all the great men the writer has ever met, Mr. Fairbanks had not one bit of per- sonal repulsiveness. You felt drawn to- wards the man naturally, and looked upon him as one who could be talked with upon any subject, no matter how secret or im- portant, without reserve. It is said of him that though in his long business career he had caught many persons pilfering from him, he would never expose them if they faithfully abstained from such conduct in the future. He was one whose tongue never betrayed any human being's confi- dence.

His self-reliance was something sublime. He never appeared to falter for a moment after he had made up his mind. If proper persons were not at hand to carry out his views, or attend to the details of his plans, he took hold with his own hands, and never waited for "something to turn up." At one time it was necessary to transport from Kingston to Watertown a large sum of specie. His own boys were away at school, even if old enough to attend to business of so much importance, and he had no one at hand whom he could entrust with so re- sponsible a mission. Ordering up one of his teams, and mounting the sleigh, he drove to Kingston, loaded the specie, and was back in 30 hours.

As a citizen he was always prominent in every public measure. His voice was al- ways on the side of morality and of justice - for his native good sense had taught him that by no other course could a community prosper. No man was more thoroughly identified with Watertown than he. He found it an insignificant hamlet; he left it a beautiful city -- its vast water-power well utilized, and its inhabitants among the most

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

intelligent in America. To all this success he had contributed no mean quota; and no man could leave behind him a cleaner rec- ord nor a more enduring memory. His family life was unclouded - an uninter- rupted round of domestic pleasure for over sixty years.

We might dwell at greater length upon our deceased friend's peculiarities, for he was a man of marked and ingrained indi- viduality, and we might illustrate every trait by some well-remembered anecdote. We have merely sought to dwell upon his higber and yet leading individualities, and to adduce from thiem some useful lessons for the present.

In many ways Jasan Fairbanks was an unique and always interesting character. By nature he was religious, thoughtful, ob- serving; under a calm exterior he possessed a nature capable of being awakened to great enthusiasm. His patriotic spirit and natural independence were his own by native in- heritance, and his acquaintances and friends and customers in the new country into which they had all come to found homes and help to rear the State, recog- nized in him the sterling qualities which they admired, and trace back to true Revo- lutionary stock. During a long life of varied business experience, he never was ac- cused of doing a mean or unworthy action. but was ever the friend and helper of the poor, not by gifts of money, but by giving them employment. He gave work to more men for many years tban any other man in the county. Viewed in all his varied char- acteristics, and condensing into as brief a space as possible a description of his charac- ter, it may be said of him that he has had no counterpart in Jefferson county, and left a memory the most unique and interesting of any of his contemporaries, who were also able men, but there was only one Jasan Fairbanks. He lived on, enjoying fair health, the society of his family and friends, and his newspaper - for he was a great reader - until near his 90th year, dying in great peace on January 10, 1875.

It seems to the writer that the faithful record of such a life as that of Jasan Fair- banks, must appeal most urgently to the emulation of those young men who are just commencing their career. They can see what temperance, industry and integrity have done for him. If he had failed in but one of these essentials he would not have been a success. Combining the three, there was nothing he desired that lie did not at- tain to. Though he had held office, the tur- bid waters of politics left no stain upon him; his dependence was upon industry and not upon clamor - upon integrity rather than upon pretension. Any young man who reads these lines may rest assured that if he gains any real success or happiness in life, it will be by following the same course that rendered Jasan Fairbanks so much re- spected and beloved.

Mrs. Fairbanks was Mary Massey, eldest

daughter of Hart Massey, one of the very earliest pioneers in the Black River country. They were married in 1815 and had six children, two of whom died in infancy. The family occupied the same premises con- tinuously for 67 years. Mrs. Fairbanks died upon her birthday, September 29, 1882, aged 87 years.

SAMUEL FAIRBANKS, eldest son of Jasan and Mary M., was born in Watertown in 1818, and spent his earlier life here. He re- ceived the best education to be had in the schools of that day, attending the celebrated French school in Montreal, and graduating at Union College in 1838. Engaging in busi- ness with his father for a number of years, he went to Florida in 1852, where he be- came largely interested in manufacturing lumber; that business, now so great, having just then attracted attention as a source of profit. Since the war of secession closed, he was engaged mainly in newspaper work, but latterly had been connected with the State Board of Emigration for Florida - coming north with a view of preparing the most efficient data to aid in a publication encouraging emigration to Florida. In that State he has ever held the highest position in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

Previous to removal to Florida, he mar- ried in 1842, Miss Juliet, the eldest daughter of William Smith, an honored citizen of Watertown. Shc survived him several years, dying in 1890, but her body was brought here from Florida, and she sleeps with her husband in beautiful Brookside.

Mr. Fairbanks was a man of extensive culture, and was a writer of force and co- gency. His mind had always a political bias, and his writings indicate an intricate knowledge of the many abstruse questions which appear to puzzle the politicians of to- day. He was greatly respected in the south, as well as in his old home. Return- ing to Watertown to prepare for his book, he was taken suddenly ill, and died Sep- tember 25, 1881, before his friends thought he was seriously ill.

GEORGE RAINSFORD FAIRBANKS, second son of Jasan and Mary M. Fairbanks, was born in Watertown in 1820. He received his early education at Belleville Union Academy and at the old Watertown Academy, then taught by Hon. Joseph Mul- lin. His scholastic education was continued at the Roman Catholic College at Montreal, graduating at Union College, Schenectady, then under charge of the able President Nott. Mr. Fairbanks studied law with Judge Mullin, and in 1842 went to Florida, having been appointed by Judge Isaac H. Bronson clerk of the United States Circuit Court for the Northern District of Florida. His first wife was Miss Sarah C. Wright, daughter of Hon. Benjamin Wright, a dis- tinguished citizen of Adams.

Mr. Fairbanks has been an important and influential citizen wherever he has lived, for

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his scholarly abilities and suavity of manner invited friendship. He has been mayor of St. Augustine, but Fernandina has been for many years his home; a State senator of Florida, and author of several interesting books, among the rest a History of Florida, which is regarded as authentic by the ablest writers, and often quoted as throwing much light upon the earliest Spanish occupation of that peninsula. Fernandina is his winter home. In summer he resides in the Cumber- land mountains, near Sewanee, he being Commissioner of Buildings and Lands for the University of the South, located at that place. Having lost his first wife in 1857, he married, in 1860, Mrs. Susan B. Wright, widow of Rev. Benj. Wright

Mr. Fairbanks has always been a busy and a useful man, universally beloved. He makes almost annual visits to Watertown, where he has been a tax-payer and property owner for many years, and the author had the pleasure of meeting him there in May, 1894, hale and hearty, apparently good for many years of life.

ANDREW J. FAIRBANKS, third son of Jasan and Mary Massey Fairbanks, was born March 21, 1826, at the old homestead on Arsenal street, the site now occupied by the New York State Armory. He received the usual advantages of common schools at the Arsenal street district school, under the venerable Justin W. Weeks, now crier of the Jefferson county courts. Later on he attended the old Watertown Academy, the late Hon. Joseph Mullin being the superintendent. Thence he went to the Black River Institute, closing his studies during the years 1843-4 at the famous French College de Montreal (Sulpic- ian), having received three first prizes delivered by the Governor General of Canada, Sir Charles Metcalfe, K. C. B. From 1845 to 1849 he was engaged in his father's business in Watertown. During the years 1849-50 he was purser on the steamers of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steamboat Company of Lake Ontario. In 1851 he went to Florida and entered the employ of an extensive lumber company on the St. Johns river, with headquarters at Jacksonville. Re- maining in Florida until the summer of 1853, he returned to Watertown. On the 2d of August. 1853, he was married to Miss Mary M Wiley, eldest daughter of the late Nathaniel Wiley, of this city, and one of the earliest and most respected citizens. Re- maining in Watertown until 1856, returned again to Florida to remain until 1862, leaving Jackson ville after the capture of that city by the combined naval and military forces of the United States. After six weeks occupa- tion of the city the place was abandoned by the United States forces and immediately reoccupied by the Confederate land forces. Took passage for New York with his family by a sailing vessel, convoyed by an United States warship, for protection against Con- federate privateers. Since 1862, Mr. Fair- banks has resided in Watertown, and was

in the employ of the R. W. & O. R. R. Com- pany for three years in the general freight department, and for two years as head clerk to the general superintendent. He has since, up to the present time, followed the profes- sion of accountant for various mercantile and manufacturing establishments in this city and vicinity. In his 69th year he is hale and hearty as at 40, and has a reason- able expectation of 20 years of life.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 50

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