The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 61

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 61

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Mr. Hinds' official positions have been numerous and important. He is yet in the prime of life and good for many years of hard work. His residence, on a suburban farm, gives him all the enjoyments of a country life.

Ross 0 Scott, surrogate of Jefferson county, was born in Rutland in 1838, and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Pierce) Scott. He attended Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary and graduated at Lima, Livingston county. in 1860. He was admitted to the bar in 1863, and been in practice since, except when hold- ing office. He has served as justice of the peace, town clerk, and in the common coun- cil of the city; was elected surrogate in 1877, and has been successively re-elected, and is serving his third term.

General Abner Baker was born in North- ampton, Mass., in 1791. He traced his line- age back unchallenged to those who helped Gov. Winthrop form his colony on "bleak New England's storm-tossed coast," in 1630. About 1808 the General came to Watertown and began life with Abraham Jewett, as a "hand" in his brickyard. In 1811 he mar- ried Miss Eunice Hull, beginning housekeep- ing, and continuing his relations with Mr. Jewett as his foreman and adviser, the yard being maintained in that classic precinct still called Goodale's lane, an original path or cross-lots course from Sterling street to Franklin.

While yet a young man the General was elected to some town office, which led to his being intimately connected with the politics of the county for many subsequent years, and in which, as a leading Whig, he displayed great aptitude, as well as advancing his material wealth. He was an amiable, accu- mulative, pleasant gentleman, well known to the writer in his youth. He was twice elected sheriff of the county, the legal inter- vening ycar having been filled by his relative, Chauncey Baker, of Sackets Harbor. He

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died July 25, 1872-leaving an honorable memory and an unclouded name.

Hon. Frederick Lansing was born in Herki- mer county in 1838. At 18 years of age he entered the office of Judge F. W. Hubbard, under whose tuition he remained until admit- ted to practice in 1859. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K., 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was chosen 1st lieutenant of his company. In June, 1863, he was promoted to adjutant of the 8th N. Y. Cavalry. At Bristow station in October, 1863, he was dangerously wound- ed by a musket-ball, which disabled him from further service. He resumed the practice of his profession until he was elected to the 51st Congress, in 1888. From 1881 to 1885 he served as State Senator.

Charles H. Walts was born in the town of Pamelia in 1839. He was educated at the common schools of the county, and attended the Jefferson County Institute. He com- menced the study of law in the office of Clark & Calvin, and subsequently entered the Albany Law School, receiving his diploma in 1861, with the degree of B.A. He com- menced practice in Theresa, but soon re- moved to Watertown and formed a partner- ship with Judge F. W. Hubbard, with whom he was associated until he formed a partner- ship with Wilbur F. Porter, under the name of Porter & Walts.

He was elected to the bench in 1877 and re- elected in 1883. At the expiration of his term a new firm was formed, and it is now known as Porter, Walts & Porter.

Daniel G. Griffin, son of Maurice and Mar- garet (Flynn) Griffin, was born in Wilna in 1848. He attended the district schools, the High School of Watertown and the Antwerp Academy. He studied law in the office of Hubbard & Walts, and in 1876 he was admit- ted to practice. At the present time he is a member of the firm of Mullin, Griffin & Walker.

Wilbur F. Porter is a native of Herkimer county, where he was born in 1832. His parents, Andrew and Sally (Parkhurst) Por- ter, came to Jefferson county from Herkimer about 1842, and located in the town of Theresa, where they resided until the close of their lives. Wilbur F. Porter received an academic education, and commenced the study of law while teaching at Cape Vincent. His studies were continued in the office of Bagley & Wright, of Watertown, and in 1857 he was admitted to practice. In 1860 he located in Watertown, where he established himself, and has since retained a leading position as a lawyer. Mr. Porter was in the office of Bagley & Wright for a number of years, and for 10 years was a partner with E. B. Wynn. In 1877 he formed his present co-partnership by admitting Charles H. Walts, ex-county judge. Mr. Porter is a popular citizen, and has been elected mayor of the city four times. He is now one of the judges of the Court of Claims, an appoint- ment lasting six years.

Joseph Mullin was born in Watertown in 1848, and is a son of Judge Joseph Mullin,

whose sketch appears on p. 264. He was educated in the schools of Watertown, and in tlie Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N. Y. His preliminary studies of the law commenced in the office of his father, and were continued in Judge M. H. Merwin's office. He was ad- mitted to practice in 1871, and for a time was associated with Judge Merwin. In 1876 he formed a partnership with Daniel G. Griffin, under the firm name of Mullin & Griffin, which is still maintained, and is largely inter- ested in real estate operations. Mr. Mullin is at present (1894) State Senator from the 21st district.

Thomas F. Kearns was educated in the schools of Philadelphia, N. Y., supplemented by a three years' course at the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, and one year at the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. During his preliminary studies he was a teacher for five terms in various places. Deciding upon the legal profession, he entered the office of Wynn & Porter in 1871, and in 1872 was ad- mitted to practice. Mr. Kearns continued in the office of his preceptors for several years as an assistant, and subsequently was for three years in the office of the late Bernard Bagley. Since 1876 he has been in constant practice. Mr. Kearns has served as a mem- ber of the board of health, and as an excise commissioner, and has served ten years as supervisor from his ward.

Henry Purcell, son of Michael and Susan (Keon) Purcell, was born in Wilna in 1848. He was reared and educated in the county, having the advantages of the Watertown High School, and a two years' course in the Antwerp Academy. He then became a teacher, and in 1872 entered the law office of J. C. McCartin. In the fall of 1872 he was elected school commissioner of the second dis- trict of the county, and served in that capac- ity three years, continuing his law studies in the meantime. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar, and was for three years with the firm of McCartin & Williams, as assistant. He then became a partner of the late Charles A. Sherman, which association continued until the death of Mr. Sherman. In the fall of 1881 he was elected city recorder, and served the four succeeding years. He has also served the city for two years as attorney, and has been a member of the school board for several years.

Elon R. Brown was born in Stone Mills, in the town of Orleans, October 9, 1857. His father, Elon Galusha Brown. for many years a store-keeper at Stone Mills, and now de- ceased, was the eldest son of Rev. Parley Brown, a prominent local Baptist preacher for many years in this county, and the grand- son of Ebenezer Brown, who came from Kil- lingsly, Conn., and settled in the town of Lorraine about the beginning of this century. . His mother, Lucretia R. Brown, is the daughter of Daniel C. Rouse, sheriff of this county in 1852, commissioned as brigadier general of the State militia in the Patriot War, and for many years a leading Demo- cratic politician, and the grand-daughter of

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William Rouse, who came from Stonington, Conn., but earlier from Rhode Island, and settled in the town of Clayton among the first settlers. Elon R. moved with his parents to Watertown in 1868; graduated from the Watertown High School in 1874, Brown Uni- versity in 1878, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Soon after his admission he formed a co-partnership with L. J. Dorwin, which continued until recently, and he is uow in partnership with C. L. Adams. He has been actively engaged in his profession, and, with the exception of minor local offices, had not held office until his selection as a member of the Constitutional Convention. He married Ettella B. Green, daughter of Monroe and Frances M. Green, of Adams Centre, in 1882, and three children have been born to them.

Joseph Atwell, Jr., was born in Theresa in 1858. He was educated in the schools of Watertown, and was a law student in the law office of Mullin & Griffin. He was admitted to practice in January, 1881, and for some time was managing clerk in the law office of McCartin & Williams. He has served as city attorney two years (1881 to 1886), and for several years has represented his ward in the board of supervisors.

Brayton A. Field, son of Safford E. and Phoebe (Allen) Field, was born in 1853 in Hounsfield, his parents' native town. His grandparents were natives of Vermont, and his father's father located at Field's Settle- ment in 1806. On his mother's side his ancestors were descendants from the old Ethan Allen stock; on his father's side they were a branch of that family of which David Dudley and Stephen Field are members. Brayton A. graduated from the Watertown High School in 1873, and from Dartmouth College in 1878. He then became principal of Proctor Academy, Andover, N. H. In 1883 he began the study of law with O'Brien & Emerson; was admitted April 20, 1886, and has since been in practice in this city.

Hon. Russell B. Biddlecome, son of Charles and Rhoda Biddlecome, was born in Deer- field, Oneida county, March 19, 1822. Upon the death of his father, in 1829, he went to live with an elder brother, and in 1835 he emigrated to Orleans, where he formerly re- sided. with the exception of the years 1857- 60, when he held the office of county elerk. He later on removed to Watertown, where he died in June, 1894. He received a good com- mon school education, with the addition of three months at Belleville Academy. His school days were alternated with work on his brother's farm. Commencing at the age of 18, he taught school for about 12 years. He was appointed colonel by Governor Morgan, and assisted in organizing artillery companies in Lewis and Jefferson counties, and during the term of his service nearly 2,400 men were enlisted and sent to the front, comprising 16 companies, which were formed into heavy artillery regiments. He served at the front one year, and was discharged for disability. In 1865 he represented the third Assembly district in the State Legislature, and the

Second Assembly district in the same body in 1866. In politics Mr. Biddlecome was a Whig until 1855, when he became a Republi- can and assisted in organizing the Republi- can party in Jefferson county.

Dennis O'Brien was born in Ogdensburg, March 13, 1837. He studied law in the office of Messrs. Meyers & Magone, of Ogdensburg ; was admitted to the bar in May, 1861; and in November of that year removed to Watertown to reside permanently. From that time his business, and reputation in his profession, rapidly increased. From 1869 he was an alderman in the city for some years, and afterwards was elected mayor. His judicious management of these offices won the respect and confidence of the substantial portion of the city's population. His success in his pro- fession gave him a high reputation through- out the county. In 1880 he succeeded the late James F. Starbuck, as a member of the State Democratic Committee. This gave him an opportunity of extending his reputation for ability and fidelity beyond the bounds of his county, and generally over the State; and he improved it. For four years he held tbis position. In November, 1883, he was elected attorney-general, and was re-elected in No- vember, 1885, his term of office terminating January 1, 1888. He is now serving his first term as judge of the Court of Appeals.

George Farnham, the father of the well- known Farnham family, of Watertown, was born in Connecticut, May 16, 1794. His father, Nathaniel Farnham, removed to Rich- field, Otsego county, N. Y., and established himself in a tannery, where he died in 1803, the mother following in a few months. Thus at the age of 9 years George was left an orphan. Although not having the advantages of an early education, he became a great reader of such literature as he could obtain. He was a ready and accurate writer, and ac- quired enough of arithmetic to transact busi- ness Before reaching his majority he suc- ceeded to the business left by his father. In 1819 he married Miss Maria Loomis, a daugh- ter of one of the early settlers of Otsego county. He was early put forward, being elected supervisor of his district, and colonel of his regiment almost as soon as he attained his majority.

In 1828 he removed with his family to Leonardsville, Madison county. He pur- chased a lot and erected a tannery on a large scale. In 1836 he was induced to undertake the manufacture of a large quantity of planes. These he sent to New York city to be sold. They arrived the day before the bank suspen- sion of 1837, and the venture was a total loss. The tannery, which was left almost entirely in the hands of the boys, suffered by the with- drawal of the funds necessary to carry on the plane business, so that when that failed it was deemed advisable to close the tannery also. After a temporary residence on a small farm near Unadilla Forks, the father removed with his family, which now consisted of five sons and two daughters, to Watertown, where they arrived in March, 1842. Nathaniel had

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preceded them, and had found work with Jasan Fairbanks, where the father also found employment at his trade until 1847, when he was elected a justice of the peace, holding that office until his death, in October, 1858. His widow survived him, with five sons and one daughter.

Nathaniel Farnham, eldest son of George, was born in Richfield, January 5, 1821. He came to Watertown in advance of the rest of the family. Being the eldest of the children, he seemed to take the lead in all their enter- prises. After working with Fairbanks for a time, he and his brother Thaddeus engaged together in the tanning business on Beebee's Island. After this business became thorough- ly established the tannery was burned. It was rebuilt and they continued the business for some time, when they formed a partner- ship with Mr. A. D. Button, and changed the whole plant into a box and pail factory. This establishment was also burned, and as they failed to get the insurance, the result was eminently disastrous.

In March, 1852, Nathaniel married Melvina Hulbert. Ahagail, the only sister living was married in 1853 to Henry Scribner, (the brother of Charles Scribner, the publisher,) re- membered as being in the book and drug business in one of the stores under the Bap- tist Church. Selling out his store, Mr. Scrib- ner and Nathaniel, with their wives, re- moved to Des Moines, Iowa, then a small town an hundred miles from a railroad. Here they went into business together, and continued till about 1860, when Nathaniel re- moved with his family to Warren, Herkimer county, N. Y. There he resided until his death, in December, 1889.

George Loomis Farnham was born January 9, 1824. As a child, he had little aptitude for learning, but a few months' tutilage under a Mr. York, opened his mind to a new field, and he began to realize that there was a re- lation hetween books and realities. Working by the month on a farm in summer, and at- tending school in winter, before attaining his 17th birthday he obtained a certificate from the town superintendent and taught a term of three months. Coming to Jefferson county with his parents, he attended a term at the Belleville Academy, following it with several terms at the Black River Institute. While principal of the Factory street public school, he was offered by Lotus Ingalls the appointment to a scholarship in the State Normal School, at Albany. Graduating in 1847, he taught one term in Adams, and then returned to the Factory street school. In February, 1850, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Benedict, who assisted him in teaching. He was a year at Syracuse, whence he was called to a female seminary at Indian- apolis, Ind.

The climate not agreeing with him, he re- turned to Syracuse, and the board of educa- tion of that city tendered him the position of superintendent of city schools. It was during his connection with these schools that his work as an educator began to attract attention.

In 1857 he was elected president of the New York Teachers' Association. This year his beloved wife died. She had been his most earnest assistant in all his work. In September, 1861, he was married to Miss M. Annette Hubbard, of Watertown. In 1869 Mr. Farnham was called to the superinten- dency of the schools of Binghamton, N. Y. In 1880 he was called to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he at once put in practice his radical notion of teaching. The people were so well pleased with his methods that at the end of the first year he was appointed to a three- year term. At the end of three years he re- signed his position to accept the principalship of the Nebraska State Normal School, a posi- tion he occupied for nearly 10 years, resigning in June, 1892.

In the summer of 1893, he and his wife visited Southern California. They purchased an orange grove in Riverside, and took up their residence there in January, 1894, and there they still reside.

Warner Failing and Stancil (Pickard) his wife, were the progenitors of so large and important a family in Watertown that proper place should be given to their history and their rescue from oblivion by the printed page. They came into the Black River country from Montgomery county in the winter of 1831-32, and succeeded Jacob Cramer in the well-known hotel on the Pamelia side of what is now known as the city of Watertown. They had then a family of nine children. Here they established themselves in the regard of the people to such an extent that their hotel became one of the best known and most popular in the county, and in that hotel three more children were born to them, making 12 in all. Their names were: Catharine, who married Dr. John Spalsbury, and they are both dead; Josiah, who is still living in New- ark, N. J; he married Julia Blount, who is now dead. Nancy, who married Peter Haas; Mr. Haas died about 1866, but his wife sur- vives him. and is yet a resident of Watertown; Walter, well remembered as a bright physi- cian, who married Caroline Holmes,. After serving through the civil war as a surgeon, he died at Evansville, Ind., and his wife is also dead; Harvey, so well known and so much respected in Watertown as the mail contractor and hack owner; he married Eliza Hall; they are both dead. Oliver, who never mar- ried, and also is dead; Mary Jane, who married the distinguished civil engineer, E. C. Ferris, who is yet in the active practice of his profession, after being engaged in several important enterprises. His wife is also spared, and they are an interesting couple. George Henry, who married Pamelia Web- ster; he is dead but his wife is still living in Watertown; Elizabeth, who married Louis W. Sandiforth; she has been dead for nearly 30 years; Ellen M., who married Joseph Reade. She is still living, but her husband died a few years since. William S., who now resides in Oregon; he married Helen Hathaway, who is also living; Walstein A., who now resides in Redwood, this county; he married Martha

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Thompson, who is still living. This is a numerous, respected, well remembered family.

The Failings were relatives of the old Her- kimer family, the head of which was wounded at the Revolutionary battle of Oriskany, and taken home to die in the old Herkimer house, about 16 miles west of Little Falls, N. Y. Alfred Conkling, father of Roscoe and Fred- erick A., was also a relative of the Herkimers, which made him also a relative of the Fail- ings-the two families standing in the same re- lation and remove from the Herkimer stock.

Warner Failing was fortunate in hav- ing made some purchases of real estate, while his business was good. He had pur- chased 10 acres north of the hotel as well as 100 acres on the Mayo road, both of which proved valuable investments. He died in 1865. His wife dying in 1864.

THE BALL FAMILY.

We are under obligations to Mr. Henry M. Ball, an honored citizen of Watertown, for permission to use the muster roll of the artil- lery company in which his grandfather, Nehemiah Ball, served through the Revolu- tionary war, which bears, as will be observed, the date of 1788, being probably made up after the company had been mustered out, as the American Revolutionary army were all discharged in 1783. We are also indebted to Mr. Ball for a copy of the Watertown Daily Times, dated January 24, 1876, containing the following pathetic and interesting article :

THE OLD MEN'S RE-UNION OF FIVE YEARS AGO.

Five years ago to-day (which would be Jan. 24, 1871), there was a social gathering of old gentlemen at the residence of Lewis Palmer on Washington street. It was a surprise and dinner party given to H. D. Cadwell by Mr. Palmer and his daughter, it being on his eightieth anniversary birthday. The party numbered six-Dr. Reuben Goodale, Elihu Ball, Jasan Fairbanks, Philo S. Johnson, William Wood and H. D. Cadwell. Mr. Cadwell being the youngest. Their united ages were 504 years, averag- ing 84 years. Dr. Goodale (the eldest) was the life of the party. He related a great many interesting anecdotes and repeated a great deal of poetry. Mr. Fairbanks gave a very interesting description of the Whittlesey affair, hy relating all the minute incidents connected with it. After dinner, a short time was spent in having a little old style music from the violin and piano, such as "Washington's March," "Hail Columbia," "Star Spangled Banner." "Hoh or Nob." and "Come, Haste to the Wedding," which was a favorite tune of Dr. Goodale's. After enjoying a very pleasant time, at about 8 o'clock the company dispersed. Mr. Ball and Mr. Johnson being infirm, were taken home in a sleigh. Dr. Goodale was urged to ride, but said, "No, he was able to walk," and would not even be assisted in putting on his overcoat. Mr. Palmer on his return (after assisting Mr. John- son home) met the doctor, who bade Mr. Palmer a vigorous good night. The doctor arriving home, became faint, sat down on the door step and had to he helped into the house, where he lay down on a lounge and expired immediately. Within a few minutes a message came to Mr. Palmer's saying that Dr. Goodale was dead. A few weeks thereafter Mr. Ball was found dead in his bed in the morning. He retired apparently well the night previons. Since that time Mr Fairbanks, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Wood have passed away; also Mr. Palmer, who died very suddenly, as he was found dead in his bed in the morning. His age was 64 years. The only remaining one now left out of the number is Mr. Cadwell. The average age of those that have died, at the time of their deaths, was 87. Dr. Goodale was 87, Mr. Ball was 86, Mr. Fairbanks was 89, Mr. Johnson was 86 and Mr. Wood was 87.

Having said this much relating to the Ball family, who have held such close and honor- able relations with the society of Jefferson county for almost one hundred years, and yet retains upon our streets one of our most enterprising and active citizens, we will here append a bit of their early history, prepared by Mr. Elihu Ball, father of Henry M. It should be remembered that this county was settled hy just such people as are here spoken of, varitable "heroes of discovery," to whom the writer accords his undying admiration for them all, "their names remembered or forgot- ten, who first explored, through perils maui- fold, the shores, lakes, rivers, mountains valleys and plains of this new land; to the hrave settlers, who leveled forests, cleared fields, made paths by land and water, and planted commonwealths; and to the brave women, who in solitude, amid strange dangers and heavy toil, reared families, and made homes"; to these, all these, be honor and eternal praise.

Writing in his 70th year, Mr. Ball says:

I, Elihu Ball. was born in Elizabethtown in the State of New Jersey, July 25th, 1784, and on July 2nd, 1796, my father and mother started with eight children, of whom I was the second in age and the oldest son, for the interior of the State of New York, to find some land that he had previously purchased but had never seen. We spent the 4th of July, Inde- pendence Day, in New York City, and on the 5th started in a sloop, heavily laden, up the Hudson River, and, for the want of wind favorable to us, we were a week getting to Albany. Our family and goods were then put on to wagons and carried to Schenectady, then put on board of a boat called a "hatteau," to ascend the Mohawk river, which was rowed and pushed with poles; taking a week to get where the city of Utica now stands, then known as Fort Schuyler.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 61

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