The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 92

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 92

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Mr. Bickelhaupt was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. His father came to this country in 1853, bringing his entire family with him. They settled first in the town of Alexandria, where the father died in 1875, leaving a wife and three children, of whom Adam and Leonard are the only ones surviving. The mother resides with Leonard on the old homestead. In 1874 Adam married Miss M. Olney. They have three children, two boys and a girl.

Mr. Bickelhaupt was elected supervisor of the town of Alexandria three successive years, the last time without opposition. So well did he manage the affairs of the town upon the board of supervisors, that did not his personal matters demand all of his spare time, he would have been continued as long as he could serve.

HENRY S. WHITE commenced business in Redwood in 1842, when there were but six families living there. A co-partnership had heen previously formed between Judge Micah Sterling, of Watertown, John W. Fuller, of Alexandria Bay, Joseph Butter- field, of New Hampshire, and Henry S. White. This firm bought out what was known as the Redwood Glass Works. They only ran one fire, and sold out to Dezeng & Co. Messrs. White & Butterfield still con- tinuing in partnership, they started a coun- try store, connected with a potash and pearl-

ing oven. At that time only the produce that could be exchanged for money was the pro- duct of these potash works. The Dollinger hotel was built about the time (or a little before) Mr. White came to Redwood. The firm of White & Butterfield continued in business until 1852; in that time they had built the Redwood grist-mill and upper saw- mill, and made many improvements in and about the village. At the dissolution of the partnership, Mr. White kept the grist-mill and quite a quantity of real estate surround- ing Redwood. In the fall of 1856 he bought out the Dollinger store, and remained in the business of general merchandize until his eldest son became of age, when the busi- ness had increased from the few dollars first received for potash, to $70,000 per year. Mr. White had in the meantime purchased a thousand acres of timber-land in Hammond, St. Lawrence county, and a steam saw-mill. He successfully carried on the mill until 1865, when he sold out to Charles Lyon, of Ogdensburg, continuing in possession of the Redwood grist-mill property until 1882, when he sold it to Alfred A. Holmes. In February, 1884, Mr. White buried his wife, a very estimable lady, who had shared all his successes and sorrows. Since then he has been living in Chicago most of the time. The last year he has spent in Redwood.

ANSON HARDER, of Redwood, was born August 4, 1834, at Newville, Herkimer county, N. Y. His parents were both born in Herkimer county. His great-grandfather came from Holland, and as the country opened up, drifted north with the tide, and his descendants have since lived in Columbia and the intervening counties, and at last in Herkimer. They were among the first settlers north of New York, and along the upper Hudson and Mohawk. His maternal predecessors were by name Thompson, who first settled in Connecticut, and with the tide went westward to New York.

Anson Harder received his early education in the common schools, and at Clinton, Fair- field and Fort Plain. He studied law and entered the class of 1856, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduated and took up the practice of his profession. He entered the office of Judge Harder at Little Falls, there perfect- ing himself in practice. He then removed to Leonardsville, Madison county, where he practiced three years-thence to Redwood, where he opened au office in 1862, and has continued the practice of his profession up to the present time.

He has been an active Republican, and has always lahored for the success of his party. Living in a town largely Democratic, by strenuous work and with good men at the front, he has sometimes had cause to rejoice in the election of their candidates. He has invariably represented the town in various conventions, district, county and judicial.

He was married to Mary E. Crumb in 1861. She died in March, 1871. In 1874 Mr. Harder married his second wife, Miss Jennie

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Hutchins, sister of Dr. Martin J. Hutchins. Mr. Harder's labors are more diversified just now, for he has quite an extensive farm, on which he spends a large part of his time in the summer season. Clarence Harder, his only son, aged 19, superintends his father's land possessions during the latter's absence.

MARK R. WILcox was born in the town of Alexandria, April 11, 1859. His parents came to this town carrying their packs in the single path through the wilderness. Mark R. first entered upon general mercantile business in 1883, at Plessis, occupying the old stone store once occupied by Jasan Clark. He was married to Miss Mary Corlis, in October, 1884, and to these parents were born two children, Charlotte and Lena Wil- cox. Mr. Wilcox is one of the denizens of the town of Alexandria, whom it is safe to pattern after. He has been a staunch Re- publican since attaining his majority. He is yet in active business, and much respected by the entire community.

BYRON OSTRANDER, born in the town of Theresa, May 20, 1843, was the Jacob and Fanny Ostrander. His mother's maiden name was Fanny Cole, who was the first white child born in the town of Theresa. But Mary F. Lull, now Mrs. Haddock, was the first white child born in the village of that name. Byron moved to Plessis in 1886, and was married soon after to Bellona Augsbury, daughter of George Augsbury, one of the pioneers of the town. Mr. Ostrander has been engaged in active busi- ness as a merchant, farmer, and at the present time is the undertaker of Plessis. He also deals in agricultural implements. He was elected justice of the peace in 1891-the only Republican elected to that important office in many years, Alexandria being Democratic by a large majority, and has been so for a long time.

JOHN DONALD and Mary Frater were united in holy wedlock in Scotland, coming to the town of Hammond about 59 years ago. Thomas H. Donald, the youngest child, was born April 9, 1844. He lived with his parents on the farm until he was 20 years of age, when he enlisted in Company B, 71st New York Volunteers, joining the regiment at Fort McHenry, Baltimore. Was in en- gagements at Gravelly Run, Five Forks, and in all the subsequent engagements with the regiment up to the surrender of General Lee. In October, 1868, Mr. Donald engaged in business with Dr. C. A. Carlin, as druggist, at Redwood.

He was married to Abbie M. Caltin, Janu- ary 19, 1869. To them have been born two sons, Myrem H. and Charles C. Myrem is a graduate of the Potsdam Normal School, and is now engaged in the insurance business at Antwerp, N. Y. Charles C., after taking a thorough business course at different schools, graduated with honors at the East- man Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

JAMES DILLIN is the son of Lodwick Dil- lin, who was born in Brownville in 1813, and

married Julia Ann Suits. James was born in the town of Alexandria in 1842. He married Corintha Augsbury, daughter of George Augsbury, November 1, 1866. They have one child, Miss Georgia Dillin, now in attendance at the Normal School at Potsdam. James enlisted into the Union army October 21, 1861 ; re-enlisted December 21, 1863, and was in the following engagements: Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Hatcher's Run and Petersburg, and followed up Lee to the surrender at Appomattox. He was severely wounded at Antietam by a gun-shot wound through the lower jaw, breaking the jaw; was also wounded at the Weldon Rail- road; was commissioned 2d lieutenant June 1, 1854; breveted first lieutenant July, 1865, in Company G, 59th N. Y. Vol. Infantry.

DELOS HERRICK was born in the town of Brownville, N. Y., April 23, 1838. His parents came to this country at a very early day. His father, Edward Herrick, married Miss Elmira Thurston in the early thirties. Delos married Sophrona Curtis, grand- daughter of Dudley Chapman,, April 9, 1861. From this union came Edward Her- rick, who married Lillie Babcock; Cheeseman A. Herrick, born July 23, 1855, and at a very early age gave evidence of such a liking for books that his parents, to the extent of their ability, gave him every advantage. Cheese- man commenced teaching school and using the salary earned to further his desire to acquire knowledge. He first attended school at Ives Seminary, at Antwerp, two terms of three months each. Then he took up teaching in the State of Illinois, and sub- sequently graduated in the English course at the Normal School, at Normal, Illinois. Thence he went to Philadelphia, Pa., and entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in the clinical course in June, 1894. He is now engaged in extension work for that University.

Mr. Herrick is one of the most interesting lecturers in the field, a quiet, unassuming young man; was one of the debaters who met the Cornell University class and defeat- ed them, April, 1894. The question debated related to the annexation of the Sandwich Islands.

The only girl, Mina, born July 25, 1868, married James Houghton, now living in the town of Antwerp. Delos' Herrick has spent his life in the towns of Theresa and Alex- andria, excepting the time spent in Company K, 14th Heavy Artillery. His record as a member of this organization is such as to cause.his children happiness. He is looked upon as an upright and honorable man. He was elected road commissioner in the spring of 1894, jor a term of two years. Mr. Her- rick is a Democrat in politics.

CHARLES LOUIS MILLOT settled in the town of LeRay in the early part of the present century. Several years thereafter he married Martila Border, of German des-

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ANTWERP.

cent. George L. Millot was the fourth child from this union. George's early life was like most of the young men who lived in his vicinity. When the call to arms came, George shouldered his gun in Company A, 35th New York Vol. Infantry, and, during the regiment's entire service in the field, he was with them. When stationed at Camp Rufus King, near Falmouth, General Pat- rick called for the appearance of every man in his brigade who was able to walk, to fall in line for review. The 35th in line present- ed a fine appearance, every soldier dressed excepting George, who was minus a cap, that head-dress having been appropriated by some other soldier. There was not a cap in the quartermaster's department that George could wear, for his head was large; but true to the call, after making known the fact to his captain, he took his place in line.

General Patrick discovered the bareheaded soldier boy at the head of Company A. The General halted directly in front of him, grabbing him by the hair and screamed out : Scoundrel, do you want to make a black- guard of me?"

The author of this History witnessed this action on the part of General Patrick, and regarded it as the most brutal thing he wit- nessed in the whole of his long service with the enlisted men. George Millot bore his treatment like a hero, but the men expected to see him run his bayonet through the General's body. The matter was hushed up afterwards, but it made a lasting impression upon the men, and lowered General Patrick immensely in the eyes of every beholder.

George married Miss Jane Carman, July 24, 1863, and lost his wife in 1886. He re- mains unmarried.

DANIEL EDDY settled in Jefferson county in 1832, at Orleans Corners, and married Miss Mary C. Strough. He lost his first wife in 1844, and subsequently married Miss Mary Francisco, of Orleans, and moved to Lafarge- ville, in 1858. He served as justice of the peace for 24 years, occupying that position when he died. Dr. Elmer E. Eddy is the youngest child hy the second wife. The Doctor commenced to study medicine in 1885, in Dr. C. L. Jones' office at Lafargeville ; was one year at the Ann Arbor University., of Michigan, and completed his course at Buf- falo, graduating in 1890. He settled in Red- wood in July, 1890; married Miss Sadie L.

Mitchell, daughter of Isaac Mitchell, of Orleans, a representative man in his section, March 30, 1892. The Doctor's practice is fast making inroads into the lines of the old school. He was elected coroner in 1891, and at the Jefferson county Republican conven- tion, he was re-nominated for that responsi- ble position the second time, in 1894.

JOHN B. GEORGE was born in the town of Alexandria, March 13, 1838, and is still living on the old homestead. He graduated at an early age from the old No. 6 school house, continuing his work upon the farm until the war broke out, in 1861 and became a member of Company I, 35th New York Vol. Infantry. Very soon after commencing active service he was promoted to sergeant; contracted typhoid malaria, but continued with his company. He was discharged in 1863, returned home and continued his farm work. He was married to Miss Martha A. Peck, daughter of Alexander D. Peck (who was one of the early settlers of this section), on December 29, 1863. Mr. George was elected assessor in 1886, and has served every year since that date.

Mr. George has four children: William, John, Mrs. Frank Northup and Harrison. William has graduated, and John is attend- ing the Potsdam Normal School.

NATHANIEL W. FREEMAN, born February 2, 1842, is the only son living of Friend S. Freeman. While his father was engaged in the ministry, Nathaniel, after he arrived at the age of 15 years, did the most of the hard work upon the farm, and, assisted by his grandfather, the entire work was performed. Nathaniel Freeman, grandfather of N. W:, was one of the very earliest settlers, having emigrated to this section from Connecticut. He took part in the battle of Sackets Harbor. Nathaniel W. commenced his early education at home, but finished his school work under the tuition of W. T. Goodnough, at Theresa. In 1866 he took up the study of medicine, which he had to give up in consequence of the close confinement. Yet his services were called for in the schoolroom, wherein he continued as an active worker for nearly 30 years.

He was elected justice of the peace in 1887, and has now filled that office for the second term. He was married to Ucetta S. Card, November 9, 1882. Two children, a girl and a boy, have blessed this union.

ANTWERP.

PREPARED BY MYRON H. BENT.

The territory embraced in the town of Antwerp assumes the form of a parallelogram lying in the extreme northern part of the county, with one face of the figure bordering upon St. Lawrence county on the north, with Lewis as a boundary upon the east. Antwerp can claim but one important

stream as its own, the Indian river. [See p. 9.] Along the upper part of this river are thousands of acres of the best timber land, comprising both hard and soft woods of all kinds, which have supplied yearly the large mills of Mr. Copley, at Antwerp, and Mr. Roberts, at Philadelphia, with several

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million feet, which will last the former for nearly 30 years; and thousands of acres are yet (1894) untouched. The Indian river enters Antwerp from Wilna, flowing north- easterly through the village of Antwerp, thence changing its direction southwesterly into Philadelphia, and again westerly into Theresa.

The Oswegatchie makes a bold dash at the town from the north, but suddenly changes its course, returning to St. Law- rence county, and describes a sharp bend in the form of the bow of an ox, which is the reason for the name of the village of Ox-Bow.

The honor of making the first settlement in Antwerp belongs to one of two men, but more specific data will probably never be found. In the year 1803, Captain William Lee and Peter Vrooman both made settle- ments, under the assumed right of " squatter sovereignity." Captain Lee planted his habitation on the State road, on lot No. 657, while Vrooman built his log cabin at the great bend of the Oswegatchie, on a site near the lower end of the present village of Ox-Bow. With true Yankee tact, both these pioneers became inn-keepers, and kept their log dwellings open for the accommodation of the public. There remained a "tavern " upon Captain Lee's farm for over 50 years. It was located upon the farm now owned by John Wilbur, three and a half miles north of the village of Antwerp. Here were the first settlements.

The existence of these inns is mentioned in the diary of James Constable as early as 1804. Constable was an executor of the estate of his deceased brother, William, who had been an extensive land owner in Jeffer- son and adjoining counties, and in the inter- est of this estate he made long tours during the summers of 1803-4-5-6. He was a very intelligent man. He says;

" Pasa on through Tract No. 4 * * * 10 (ten) miles to the Long Falls (Carthage), where we breakfasted at a middling good tavern. * * * Proceed on four miles from the river to a log hut, then six miles to another. then 12 to a third, there being but three aettlera on the Great Tract No. 4 unless there are some on Pennet's Square. * * * This tract helongs to, or is under the management of Mr. LeRay and Mr. G. Morris, and nothing has yet heen done towards settling it. The three people now on it have a verbal promise that they shall have the land at a fair price as first settlers, but they are very anxious in thelr inquiries after General Lewis R. Morris, who. it is understood, has undertaken the selling of 100,000 acres * * * Sleep at Lee's tavern, 22 miles from the falls, with hard fare and poor lodgings."

And under August 26 :

"Pass on five miles to the Ox-Bow, a remarkable bend on the east branch of the Oswegatchie river. and a fine situation for a large house. There Is now a log hut. at which we breakfasted, and another in sight."

He returns after two weeks of travel through St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, and says under date of September 9 :

" Set off from Lee's after breakfast and stop at Stearn's. on No. IV. at 12 miles distance. then 10 miles more to the Black River at Long Falls "

In the following year, 1805, Constable

again traverses the same route and under date of August 16, has this to say of bis trip from Long Falls (Carthage) to OxBow.

"Proceeded through the Great Tract No IV, and atopped at Stearn's 10 miles, where we dined, and arrived at Lee's 20 miles from the falls. where we passed the night, and, aa the house was com- pletely full, an uncomfortable one it was. I see no alteration in this part of the country since last year; the road at least as bad, and no more settlers. We were told General Lewis R. Morris had been through it. and has now gone to Vermont, intending shortly to return, perhaps with his family. He has quieted Lee and other squatters, who seem well satisfied. He is expected to huild at the Ox-Bow."

It is thus seen that in passing over the same route in the two years, he makes no mention of the spot where is now situated Antwerp village, for not a human being did it then contain. The solitude of the forest yet remained to be broken by the woodman's ax.

Daniel Sterling, a direct descendant of Governor Bradford, came to Antwerp in 1805. He settled upon the farm now belong- ing to his grandson, Bradford Sterling, one and one-half miles north of the village. His wife, Mary Sterling, had the honor of receiv- ing the first deed conveying lands in the town of Antwerp. Daniel Sterling was the father of James Sterling, the iron manufac- turer, whose brother Samuel was the first white child born in the town.

The first extensive settlement of Antwerp was made on the old Gouverneur road to the north of Sterling's, and the land now occu- pied and owned by the Dicksons and others, probably extending as far as the present location of Somerville.

In 1806 there settled here John Bethel, John C. Foster, Edward Foster, Hopestill Foster, Edward Foster, Jr., Silas Ward and Peter Raven. In 1807, Lyman Colburn, Asa Hunt, William Randall, Allen Thompson and Henry Adams; in 1808, Salmon White, Clark Lewis, Amos Keith and Thaddeus Park; in 1809, Caleb Cheney, Amos Streeter, Warren Streeter and Mrs. Nott, with her family of two sons (Moses and Reuben), and several daughters; in 1810, Solomon Pepper. Thus in four or five years there was a very substantial settlement, probably as thickly inhabited as at the present time, for in those days it was necessary to keep together in defense of their common enemies, the In- dian and the wolf.

Zopher Holden came in 1806, and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. H. Holden and sons, about two miles south of the village. On the Long Falls (Carthage) road there was an early settlement by Lemuel Hubbard in 1805, and as early as 1809 there were Henry C. Baldwin, Dexter Gihhs, Sherebiah Gibbs, Amasa Sartwell, Almond Beecher and William Fletcher.

The land-book shows the following names of settlers, with the dates of their purchase : 1805, William Lee ; 1806, John Bethel, John Robinson, Peter Vrooman, Edward Foster, Jr., Mary Sterling, Benajah Randall, John Jennison, Peter Raven, Hopestill Foster,

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ANTWERP.

John C. Foster and James Parker; 1807, Zebulon Rockwell, Samuel Griswold, David Coffeen, Zopher Holden; 1808, Samuel Ran- dall, Zebina Bishop, Mary Bishop, Alfred Walker, Daniel Gill, William Fletcher ; 1809, Richard McAllaster, Dexter Gibbs, Sherebiah Gibbs, Jonathan Marbles, Isaac L. Hitch- coek, Timothy Ruggles, Jesse Jackson, Daniel Heald, John Pease; 1810, Amasa Sartwell, Almond Beecher, William Fletcher, Jeduthan Kingsbury, Harrison Moseley; 1811, Oliver Stowell, Lemuel Hubbard, Anson Cummings, John White, Levi Wheelock ; 1812, William Harris, William McAllaster, Daniel Sterling, Salmon White, Warren Streeter, William Randall, Elkanah Pat- tridge, Ira Ward, Asher Seymour, Roswell Wilder, Benjamin Goodwin, Elliott Lynde, Daniel Gill, Caleb Cheney, Henry C. Bald- win, James Briggs, Silas Brooks, Shailer Beckwith, Silas Ward, Ezra Church, Ben- jamin Cook.

These hardy pioneers have all passed away, and nearly all their names can now be read in the old village cemetery.

" Here, in their narrow cells forever laid,

The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."

The hardships they endured, the dangers they encountered and the obstacles they sur- mounted, would have appalled any other than the rugged Yankee character, for a majority of the early settlers came from Vermont and Massachusetts, direct descend- ants of the Pilgrim stock. Many of their children and grandchildren, and great-grand children live in handsome houses upon the spots where their brave ancestors reared pole cabins. "A few toiled and suffered; myr- iads enjoy the fruits." The last of the early settlers was Benjamin Cook, who died about 12 years ago. Mr. Cook was the third school teacher in the town. He came from Scho- harie in 1811, and built a pole-cabin three miles north of the village, on the road to Keene Station, at a point near the residence of Ansel Clark, Jr., and lived within a few rods of the spot until he died. At that time there was no road to the place.

The town of Antwerp belonged originally to the famous Macomb purchase, to which every good title in the town refers. General Lewis R. Morris, a relative of Robert Morris, the Revolutionary patriot, who furnished Washington on his own credit a portion of the funds with which to carry on the Revo- lutionary war, was an early purchaser of a tract which included the entire town. It was under Gen. Morris' direction that the town began to settle. The Antwerp Company, of Belgium, also early owned a portion of the town, but it was in 1808 that the most ex- tensive purchase, with a view of actual set- tling, was made by David Parish, an eminent banker, of Hamburg, Germany. He pur- chased 29,033 aeres in Antwerp, which was afterwards increased to nearly 90,000 acres by his successors, George Parish and George Parish, Jr., brother and nephew of the original David. It was under the Parish

administration that the town began to be settled rapidly, but the last of their lands was not taken up until the beginning of the Civil War.

The method by which General Morris had commenced to sell the land was changed by Mr. Parish, who, instead of deeding the property and taking back mortgages, gave contracts, calling for deeds only upon the last payment. The early sales were con- ditioned upon the clearing of a certain portion of land, and the creation of a house to insure the land from getting into the hands of speculators. Mr. Parish did not realize at first the importance which Ant- werp would some day assume, as to mineral wealth, but this was soon discovered, and he was shrewd enough thereafter to insert in all his contracts a reservation of all mines of iron, copper and lead.

John Jennison, early in 1807 was appoint- ed agent by the former proprietor, General Morris, which position he retained until suc- ceeded by Sylvius Hoard, and in April, 1824, he was followed by William MeAllaster, under whose direction the greater part of the land was sold. Mr. McAllaster retained his position until all the tract was disposed of. The land office was located on the corner of the present Main street and Lexington avenue, near the farm-house of George D. McAllaster.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 92

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