The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 88

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098

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MISS MARIETTA HOLLEY.

has been able to place before her readers some of the most amusing and mirth-provoking books that have ever been given to the public. They have attained a wide reputation, and their humorous character has seldom been equaled and never surpassed, while under- neath her wit, pathos and satire, one dis- covers a principle and a motive, coupled with an earnest desire to improve and benefit mankind.

The difficulties she has encountered in at- taining her present position, have been heroi-

cally overcome, and her success is truly wonderful when it is taken into consideration that she has been entirely unaided save by her own efforts.

She was extremely fond of music, and gave lessons on the piano for several years; fond also of painting and literature, but she wisely chose the latter as her life work. She is widely known as Josiah Allen's Wife, and under this signature her writings have found a warm welcome with all classes, and in nearly every civilized country of the globe. Large numbers of her last book were taken to Africa, and she has recently received from Japan words of warm appreciation and praise. Her books have been translated into other languages, and the foreign press has been fully as appreciative as the American.

Her father died several years ago, and she has abundantly proven her filial love hy caring for her aged and widowed mother, and her love for the old homestead by still re- maining in it and making it her home during a part of every year. Her books bring her a comfortable income.

In place of the little red house of her child- hood, stands a beautiful residence of modern architecture, filled with a collection of articles hoth rich and rare. Valuable paintings adorn its walls, and a variety of musical instruments resound to her touch, among them a piano, organ and phonograph-the latter produces the finest modern music, both vocal and instrumental, and she also uses it in connec- tion with a typewriter in her work. These are rare evidences of her success in life, and she has won them all by her literary works.

The open fireplace, the soft antique rugs, all add a charm to the interior of this lovely home. Among other attractions are found the life-like pictures of many of our most talented writers, many of whom are among her intimate friends. Her place is known as "Bonnie View," and the road leading by it as "Garden Road," a name given by the poet, Will Carleton, who, with his wife, are warm friends of Miss Holley.

Seven acres are included in the grounds about her residence, a portion of which lies on either side of Garden Road. A large, closely clipped, velvety lawn, studded with shade trees, with clinging vines and flowering shrubs, surround her dwelling-while an adjacent woodland of ancient forest trees add to its rural beauty.

Passing through a garden of flowers on the opposite side of the road, a long gravel walk,

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tree bordered, leads to natural springs whose waters have been used to form fish ponds, where speckled trout may be seen playing in the clear waters; miniature water- falls, a summer house beneath the shade of evergreens, rustic seats and other attractions, too numerous to mention, evince the taste of their owner.

Although Miss Holley is a busy woman, and her time is necessarily precious, she ex- cels in hospitality. and her ability to place her guests at ease is remarkable; few, if any, leave her home without a desire to re- turn at some future day.

An admirable trait in her character is the entire absence of anything approaching egotism or ostentation, and a visitor cannot

fail to be impressed with her apparent self- forgetfulness in her efforts to make her guests happy.

A maiden sister resides with her, and a little girl of eight summers, who needed a home, finds a warm shelter beneath her roof. Miss Holley'y first book was published in 1873. Its title is "My Opinions and Betsy Babbett's." Her later works are as follows: Samantha at the Centennial, My Wayward Pardner, The Mormon Wife (illustrated poem), Miss Richard's Boy, Samantha at Saratoga, Sweet Cicely, Poems, Samantha Among the Brethren, Samantha Amongst the Colored Folks, Samantha at the World's Fair.

J. A. C.

WILLIAM WESTWOOD WRIGHT.

IN 1801 David Wright emigrated from Deerfield, Mass., to what was then an almost unbroken wilderness, known later as the town of Adams. In 1807 he married Miss Anna Williams, the second daughter of David Williams, a Revolutionary soldier, who, after the close of the war, came from Ver- mont and settled in Rome, Oneida county. On April 28, 1813, William Westwood Wright, the subject of this sketch, was born in Adams village. He was one of a family of four children, and an only son. During the early years of his life he attended the public schools, and later became one of the first students on the opening of the Academy at Belleville, N. Y., where he remained the next two years. On leaving school he became a clerk in the hardware store of Norris M. Woodruff, of Watertown, in whose employ he remained three years. During these years he resided in the family of Mr. Woodruff, and an attachment between Mr. Wright and the family of his employer was formed, which lasted through life.

From Mr. Woodruff's business thrift and habits of perseverance in overcoming ob- stacles, Mr. Wright learned many useful lessons, which characterized his after life. In 1833 Mr. Wright's family removed to Rome, Oneida county, and William W. found em- ployment in the hardware establishment of James Sayre, of Utica. Here, also, he re- mained three years, having been particularly successful thus far in life in giving the highest satisfaction to his employers. On leaving Mr. Sayre, Mr. Wright commenced his career as a contractor of public works, in which business he continued through a period of 50 years. His first contract was on the en- largement of the Erie canal between Troy and Albany. After a successful completion of this contract in 1841, his reputation as a contractor was established, and a part of the public work, both on the canals and railroads in New York State, has been under his super- vision.

At the completion of his first contract, Mr. Wright purchased a farm in Adams, which

now constitutes the entire portion of the north side of Church street, and his father's family returned from Rome to reside again in Adams.

In 1838 Mr. Wright became acquainted with Mary Louise, youngest daughter of John Ryker, of New York city, whom he often met at the home of Col. David Hamil- ton, who resided upon what was known as the Troy road. The acquaintance ripened into an attachment, and in September, 1839, they were married at the home of the bride in New York city. Mr. Ryker, the father of Mrs. Wright, was born in New York in 1779. He belonged to one of the old Knickerbocker families, and resided in New York until his death in 1835, four years previous to his daughter's marriage.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, two of whom died in childhood, and five still survive him. After successfully completing several contracts, among which was that of the Breakneck channel, opposite Newburgh, on the Hudson, Mr. Wright purchased a home on Patroon street, Albany, now known as Myrtle avenue, where he resided several years, but subsequently having become interested in large contracts in the interior and western portion of the State, he removed to Geneva, where he spent the remaining years of his life.

In political life Mr. Wright was widely known throughout the State. He was a life- long Democrat, and was ever found true to his principles and firm in his convictions, fre- quently representing his county in State con- ventions and his congressional district in national conventions. His counsel was often sought by the prominent leaders of his party, and his advice followed.

In 1861 he was elected canal commissioner, and again in 1869, performing the duties of that high office with integrity and to the satis- faction of his constituency. Soon after the expiration of his second official term, Mr. Wright gave his attention to the business of dredging, in company with his eldest son, A. R. Wright.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

WILLIAM WESTWOOD WRIGHT.

In 1881 the Eastern Dredging Company was organized, with W. W. Wright as president, which position he held until a few weeks previous to his death, June 12, 1889, when he resigned, and his son, A. R. Wright, of Portland, was his successor. The company was for many years largely engaged executing government contracts in the Kennehec river and harbors of the New England coast.

In 1887 Mr. Wright was appointed a member of the Board of Control of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, at Geneva. We quote from the minutes and resolutions of the Board of Control, passed June 25, 1889:

"Perhaps no citizen of the State of New York, in his day, was better known and more highly esteemed than he.

"Born 76 years ago in Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., he early in life became a firm friend of his namesake and neighbor, Silas

Wright. This friendship was mutual, and cordially reciprocated by the great senator.

" Of the statesmen whose confidence our colleague enjoyed, may be named Michael and John T. Hoffman, Horatio Seymour and Charles J. Folger.

"We who have been associated with him as a member of this Board of Control, know full well how wise were his suggestions and how well he did the work confided to him, as chairman of our executive committee."

Mr. Wright was an exceedingly genial man, and his society was much sought after. His ready conversational powers, his wit and humor, rendered him a most pleasing com- panion, and his presence was ever welcome to people of all stations in life. His ready sympathy for the afflicted, the generous im- pulse of his heart, all served to call forth the words so often expressed by many a toil-worn man-"I have lost my best friend."

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Filial love was among the prominent traits in his character, and although he was ever known as the busiest of busy men, his aged parents were never for a day forgotten, and an oft-repeated message of affection or a timely gift gladdened their hearts, and cheer- ed them in their declining years.

His attachment to the friends of his early days, those born in his native town, who grew to manhood by his side, among whom were Bishop Henry B. Whipple, the late R. B. Doxtater, and others of his boyhood, were referred to in his latest hours with an uu- dying affection.

He was extremely fond of reminiscences, and having a most retentive memory, coupled with large descriptive powers and close observation, he was enabled to give to the press from time to time most interesting bits of history of the long ago. Indeed, had his writings been compiled, they would have made a most charming volume.

His father having emigrated from Deer- field, Mass., he took a deep interest in Memorial Hall at that place, which was dedi- eated in 1880. By invitation, Mr. Wright delivered an address before the Association, at its annual meeting in February, 1886, which was greatly appreciated by the large and highly interested audience present, He also caused to be hung upon its walls the portraits of his father and his father's family, consisting of three brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Wright's family still occupy the hand- some residence known as Northlawn, at Geneva, which embraces five acres of smoothly shaven lawn, shade trees of every variety adapted to the climate, together with commodious buildings. This house was the pride of its owner, and his memory is so identified with it that few would care to see others enjoying that which his hands had helped to render so attractive.

In her early life, his eldest daughter became the wife of Col. John S. Platner, who faced many a battle of shot and shell, and, for laurels won in his country's cause, was breveted a brigadier general But a disease contracted during his service, cut short his earthly existence, and in less than a month from the time of his marriage, his earthly career was ended, and true to his memory she still remains his widow.

A. R. Wright resides in Portland, where he still conducts the business in which his father

was interested. Mrs. Wright has a daughter and two sons, who still reside at the paternal home. Mr. Wright's youngest sister, Mrs. E. J. Clark, of Watertown, still survives him, being the sole remaining member of the family. J. A. C.

Mrs. Clarke, in giving the above sketch of her distinguished brother, has refrained, through a motive which all will understand, from awarding very high praise to Mr. Wright. The author of this History remem- bers no mau whom it waa a greater pleasure to know than William Westwood Wright. He was a product of those earlier days in Jefferson county-the era of her ablest men- when those " bold men, their names remem- bered or forgotten, had first explored, through perils manifold, the shores of this new land; who levelled forests, cleared fields, made paths by land and water and planted common- wealths;" an era when these early ones began to see growing into manhood their sons, who inherited the faith, the zeal, the industry- even the restlessness of their sires. From such environments and heredity young Wright sprang. and proved himself fit to stand with the ablest men in the State. He was a man of many excellencies-an indus- trious man, progressive even to the verge of hazard-rounded out in all the attributes of gentleness and companionship-a wholesome character, from whom you could always learn something-a man of high standard in morals, in politics, in business. In his fidelity to his native county he was remarkable. Every Jefferson county man he met was as a brother. In his eyes Jefferson county's fame was the fairest, her sons the ablest, her daughters the most beautiful. I never saw this loyalty in a mean man nor in an ignorant one. To him travel was only a means for drawing comparisons between other lands and his own native county, where his kindred lay buried; where he was himself born-where all his earliest ambitions had their inception and first development. Looked upon in any light, he was an estimable personality-one whom it is a delight to remember. He best honored himself when he honored his native county-for it showed him a worthy son, and she remembers him among those other faith- ful ones, who, in other lands, amid other en- vironment, have "justified the honors they have gained."

OSAWATOMIE BROWN.

ORVILLE CHESTER BROWN, better known in the history of Kansas by the name given above, was a Northern New York boy, having been born at Litchfield, in Herkimer county, February 25, 1811. He received the usual education afforded in the common schools of those days, followed by brief terms at the Oneida Institute in Whitestown, Oneida county. When a mere lad he was among the first in his neighborhood to sign a temperance

pledge, and that pledge was never broken. The writer does not introduce this remark as an indication of Mr. Brown's morality or of his faithfulneas to the cause of temperance, but as showing his strict fidelity to any rule of life when once adopted. To this peculiarity may be traced his adhesion to the Kansas cause.

His father's family, at quite an early age, looked upon him as their greatest depend- ance. At 17 he worked the small place be-

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longing to his father, raising what he could, and putting in all his spare time doing any work obtainable from the neighboring farm- ers; in winters sometimes making the peculiar fan-shaped heavy basketa used by the furnacemen at the Paris iron foundry, in Oneida county, then an important establish- ment. He was an only son, but he had several sisters. His mother walked with a crutch from her eighth year, yet she raised a numerous progeny. They were an unusual family, even for those days of early struggles for existence, when marked characters were developed, and the young so early taught to hear the yoke of service. Young Orville proved equal to every task put upon him, though there were weeks when the family had no meat, and not much flour-green corn and early potatoes standing between them and starvation or beggary.

It is not atrange that a child of active mind, brought up under such conditions, and a toiler almost from the cradle, should have advanced ideas of freedom and personal liberty. After various pursuits, principally in merchandise, he went along as others did, turning his energies to the best possible advantage; not forgetting to take several voyages at sea, fishing for cod on New Found- land, and then a more extended journey, in which he visited Napoleon's tomb at Elba; teaching school at times, then a trusted clerk in some large establishment. He at laat opened a dry goods establishment at Belle- ville, Jefferson county. His sentiments upon the subject of chattel slavery were early intensified when he was a clerk in a Utica dry goods store. There was held there a conven- tion to organize a State Anti-Slavery Society, and the delegates were driven out of the Bleecker Street Church by a mob. Gerrit Smith, who was present, promptly invited the whole assemblage to ahare his hospitality at Peterboro, and to that place the convention adjourned. Young Brown took a deep inter- est in that matter, and went to Peterboro with the delegates, though then scarcely a voter. Thenceforward he was a devoted and resolute Abolitionist, and the quality of his devotion was soon to be tested in Kansas, upon which fruitful land the slave-power had cast their devouring eyes, and were ready to take any risk in order to make it a slave State.

The year 1840 found him at Belleville, where he continued until 1848, removing finally to New York city, where he remained as a salesman until 1854. That was the year he decided to emigrate to Kansas. He had now several children, one of whom, Spencer Kellog Brown, born in Belleville, August 17, 1842, was destined to fill an important niche among the heroes of history. "Dulcet et propria pro patria mori" (It ia sweet and holy to die for one's country), was yet to be his song, as it was the song of Nathan Hale.

Reaching Kansas with his family, Brown found, in a prospecting tour, a spot where the Osage river joined the Potawatomie, leaving a wedged-shaped piece of land. This spot he at once named "Osawatomie," and there

be stuck bis pre-emption stake. He went to work and founded the town, being its first president, and the little village prospered re- markably. The place being settled by North- ern and Eastern people, quickly became an object of special hatred to the Missourians, who were well organized and supplied with arms and money, boastfully declaring their ability to wipe out any free-soil town in the State. They did not hesitate to make the country around Osawatomie a favorite camp- ing ground, and one night a party of them were set upon there by free-State men, and over a score were killed in their sleep-a bar- harity they had often practiced upon othera.

This attack was bitterly resented, and in June, 1856, a pro-slavery gang attacked the town of Osawatomie, completely sacking it, Brown being only too glad to escape with his life. His wealth and business career were at

SPENCER KELLOGG BROWN.

once dissipated, and as his boldness of speech and determined opposition to the encroach- ments of slavery had made him a marked man, he was forced to leave the State rather than live in constant dread of assassination. He returned East with his family, and has been for many years a resident of Adams.

No name is more indelibly connected with Kansas and the cause of freedom, than " Osa- watomie " Brown's. He was dreaded by the Missourians more than any other man, for he was a good fighter, ever vigilant, and of un- doubted courage. So that Jefferson county has not only contributed statesmen, inventors, acholars and soldiers to the cause of civiliza- tion, but also a leading Kansas free-State fighter. In his noble son, Jefferson county has alao contributed one of the martyrs to the "strife engendering " cause of freedom.

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SPENCER KELLOGG BROWN,

THE eldest son of Osawatomie, was an officer under Porter during the attempts to open the Mississippi to the Gulf. Young Brown was in command of a small force that had been ordered to destroy a certain ferry somewliere in the parish of Baton Rouge, when he was set upon by a strong guerilla band and cap- tured. He was sent to various prisons in the South, but was finally taken to Richmond, Va., and hung after 14 months' imprison- ment, upon the false charge of being a spy. By what process the Confederates reached such a monstrous conclusion, the writer can- not state; but the matter caused much com- ment at the time in all the newspapers of the

North. It is probable that his fate was pre- cipitated by the hatred the pro-slavery men felt for his father, but his official murder may have been deliberately planned as a revenge, for the Federal government hung one or two of the Southern desperadoes who infested the North, intent on arson or pillage.

But viewed in any light, young Brown's death was uncalled for by anything he had done. He was in uniform when captured, commanding a war-like party, and obeying the commands of his superior. His death was only one of the many horrible crimes per- petrated by the insane men who were attempting to carry on a government under the name of the Southern Confederacy.

JESSE SMITH OF SMITHVILLE.

AMONG the many men of prominence in the early history of Jefferson county, was Jesse Smith. His adventurous spirit led to large operations not only in Smithville, Sackets Harbor, Cape Vincent and Clayton, but over the great lakes and down the St. Lawrence river to Montreal and Quebec.

He was born in Massachusetts, February 25, 1784. His parents moved to Nelson, N. H., when he was two, years old. Little is known of his early life. It is traditional that his father was in the battle of Lexington, and that he was known as Captain Ezra Smith. Jesse went to Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1804, and settled first in Rodman when the country was new, and began life by clearing land and making potash.

He married Miss Polly Felt, February 12, .1806, and then went to Smithiville, the village taking his name. He was the father of ten children, four sons and six daughters, three of the latter dying in infancy. But one of this large family is now living (1894), Mrs. Eliza A. Brownell, of Peru, Indiana. An early record of his life speaks of him as " one of the most energetic and active business men who have lived in the county, and from small beginnings arose to affluence, and con- trolled a business which, for extent and im- portance, has had few parallels." In 1828 Mr. Smith was the Presidential Elector from Jefferson county, the counties then voting separately, instead of the whole State upon one ballot as now.

While living in Smithville he engaged in milling, merchandise and other minor oper- ations incident to pioneer life, and gradually became interested in the commerce of the lakes. About 1828 he entered the hewn-tim- ber business for the Montreal and Quebec markets, and took into partnership Mr. Eldridge G. Merick. They collected the timber from Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron, and transported it by vessels across the lakes to Clayton, N. Y. There it was made into rafts, where were propelled by sails down the river, scarcely running faster than the cur- rent would have taken them. These rafts

were divided into sections; a large one com- posed of from 20 to 30 sections. At the rapids extra men were taken on, often requir- ing from 200 to 300, with a pilot for each sec- tion.

The business of ship building began at Clayton in 1832, by Smith and Merick. From two to four vessels were built annually, making a total of from 60 to 70, and included most of the splendid steamers of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steamboat Company's line. The first vessels built were the Jesse Smith and Horatio Gates.

Mr. Smith was a man of remarkable tact in all his business relations. A little anecdote is told of him, showing this trait : He was travelling at one time with a large amount of money in a common carpet bag, and where he stopped for the night he found a rough lot of men playing cards, drinking and carousing generally. He took in the situation at once, and carelessly dropped his bag in a corner, and, with his characteristic shrewdness, slept upon it during the night as a tired man would, though with one eye open, well know- ing his life would have been of little account had these men known the contents of his pil- low.

During the war of 1812, Mr. Smith was associated with Col. Elisha Camp and others of Sackets Harbor, in the comissary depart- ment, and did excellent service. General Brady and Commodore Woolsey were the commanding officers at that time.

Mr. Smith left Jefferson county in 1836, and located in Newark, Ohio. About 1838 he erected a stone building near his home. The lower part was used for merchandising, and the next year he opened the upper rooms for banking, under the firm name of Jesse Smith & Sons. Here he did a very successful business until the great financial crisis of 1847, wben, through the failure of others, he was obliged to succumb. This was a severe blow to him, as his great business career, from small beginnings, had been bis pride thus far through life. He called his creditors together and said to them if they would give him

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 88

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