USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 10
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 10
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 10
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 10
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 10
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Reed Hospital, Washington, D. C., and later was transferred to Evacua- tion Hospital No. 18, and served in France with this outfit with the rank of captain. He participated in three major engagements of the war and was discharged from the service in July, 1919, after which he resumed his practice in Watertown. Doctor Barnette is a member of the staffs of Mercy Hospital and House of the Good Samaritan, Watertown. He is identified with the Jefferson County, New York State, and American Medical Associations.
In 1921 Doctor Barnette married Miss Mabel E. DeCant.
He holds membership in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and belongs to B. P. O. Elks No. 496, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Vet- erans of Foreign Wars. He also is a member of Black River Valley Club and Jefferson County Golf Club.
Jason Fairbanks was born in Mendon, Mass., Sept. 5, 1785, and died in Watertown, Jan. 10, 1875. He was the son of Capt. Samuel Fairbanks, an officer in the Revolutionary War, and who afterward commanded a company sent to suppress the Shay Rebellion. At the age of 13 years he went to Boston, Mass., and hired out for a year to the proprietors of a public house, whose firm name was Forbes & King. At the end of the year, his father having removed his family to the town of Thompson, Conn., he apprenticed himself to James Bragg, a saddler and harness- maker at that place. In 1802 he moved with Mr. Bragg to Newport in Herkimer County, N. Y., where he remained until 1807. His apprentice- ship was to close in the fall and Mr. Bragg sent him to the western por- tion of the State, known as the Genesee Country to make some collections, and at the same time to give him an opportunity of judging the possi- bilities of that section. After his time was out with Mr. Bragg, in De- cember, 1807, he went to Fairfield Academy for three months. He at first was going to open a business in Ogdensburg, and was negotiating with Judge Ford, but that fell through and he came to Watertown. After he left the Academy he worked for a short time at his trade in Little Falls, N. Y., and while there he formed the acquaintance of Calvin McKnight, who was a painting contractor. They opened a store in Water- town in 1808, and remained in business together for one year, when Mr. Knight took the business over. He then conducted another shop from the fall of 1808 until the spring of 1809, when he took in a practiced saddler and harnessmaker by the name of John Smith, from Connecticut, with whom he continued for two years.
In the meantime the firm of Fairbanks & Smith purchased a little
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tannery of Oliver Taylor, on the state road, now State Street, near the brick house known for many years as Baker Brown's, where they con- ducted a very good business in tanning and currying under the super- vision of Orris Childs. In 1810 he added shoemaking to his other leather business, all of which he continued about 42 years. In 1811 he bought Smith out and then purchased the five cornered wooden building which John Richardson had built on the site of the present Flat Iron Block on the Fairbanks corner.
In 1812 Mr. Fairbanks was appointed deputy U. S. Marshal under Peter Courtenius, which office he continued to hold under Marshals Liv- ingston and Darrow, or for about 28 years. In 1812 he was a lieutenant of cavalry commanded by Calvin Mcknight. He was often required to ride for long hours in the night, as well as day, carrying messages to different corps in the U. S. service, and in rallying out the militia, as some threatened invasion made it necessary to repel a vigilant foe.
Jason Fairbanks and Perley Keyes were sureties for Samuel Whit- tlesey, Esq., a lawyer who was appointed to pay off the New York State Militia for services in the War of 1812, and a full account of this tragic occurrence appears in Dr. Hough's History of Jefferson County.
On Feb. 12, 1821, Mr. Fairbanks was appointed sheriff of Jefferson County, and then was elected one term under the new constitution which closed in 1825. From 1828 until 1838 he held the office of county treas- urer. The latter years of Mr. Fairbanks' career was industriously given to the cultivation of his farm, dealing in wood, lumber, collecting his rents, and gathering together loose ends of a once large and diversified business. Though very liberal, he was also a great economist. He held other offices of responsibility and trust at different times and was widely known throughout New York and Canada. He entertained at his home many men of prominence, among whom was Silas Wright, who cam- paigned for James K. Polk for president.
In 1815 Mr. Fairbanks married Miss Mary M. Massey, who was born at Plymouth, Vt., Sept. 29, 1796. She died Sept. 29, 1882. She was a daughter of Hart Massey, one of the first settlers of Watertown. Her grandfather, Jonathan Massey, died March 30, 1830, at the age of 84 years. Her father, Hart Massey, who had been very prominent in the early history of the county, coming here in 1801, died March 30, 1853, at the age of 83 years, and her mother, Lucy Swain Massey, died April 23, 1856, at the age of 85 years.
Andrew J. Fairbanks, son of Jason and Mary M. (Massey) Fairbanks, was born March 21, 1826, in Watertown. He was educated in the Water- town public schools, Black River Institute, and French College, Montreal, Canada. While at college in Montreal he received three first prizes at the
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hands of Sir Charles Metcalf, then governor general of Canada. During 1849-50 he was purser on the boats of the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence Steamboat Company, and from 1851 until 1862 lived in Florida, where he engaged in extensive lumbering operations. He returned to Watertown soon after the outbreak of the Civil War. Mr. Fairbanks was an expert accountant and held various responsible positions with the R. W. & O. Railroad, and local manufacturing concerns. He died June 19, 1898.
Andrew J. Fairbanks was married in 1853 to Miss Mary M. Wiley, the daughter of Nathaniel Wiley, of Watertown. To this union four children were born: Jessie, deceased; Harriet, resides in Watertown; Abbie, widow of Charles H. Remington, resides in Watertown; and George A., Water- town.
John B. Taylor .- Outstanding in the business life of Watertown and Northern New York was John B. Taylor, who was financially interested in numerous industries and enterprises in this section of the State. He died in New York City, June 5, 1927. Mr. Taylor was the son of James Loren and Lanah (Fox) Taylor, and was born at Three Mile Bay, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1868.
Both James L. Taylor and his wife are deceased. He was for many years the proprietor of a harness shop at Three Mile Bay, and during 1859-66 was in the U. S. Secret Service Department.
John B. Taylor grew up at Three Mile Bay, and spent his boyhood on a farm. He was educated in the district schools and in 1884 came to Watertown, where he entered the employ of the Watertown Savings & Loan Company. Mr. Taylor had a long and useful career in the city's business life, and was identified with the following industries: treasurer of the Jefferson Brass Company; president of the Watertown Light & Power Company; officer in the Northern New York Utilities Company, Inc .; president and treasurer of the Woodruff Holding Corporation; and member of the New York Stock Exchange from 1899 until 1904.
On Sept. 6, 1919, Mr. Taylor was appointed by Governor Alfred E. Smith as a member of the board of the Black River Regulating District, and was also elected treasurer of that board.
In 1904 Mr. Taylor had purchased the Watertown Gas Company and immediately built a new and modern power plant. The following year he purchased the H. Remington & Son Pulp & Paper Company's pulp mill at Black River, and during 1907-9 transformed the pulp mill into a hydro- electric station. At that time he also consolidated the gas and electric properties, and extended the lines to Glen Park and Brownsville. In 1912, by acquisition of the Dexter Electric Light & Power Company, he fur-
JOHN B. TAYLOR
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thered his interests, and in that year also acquired the controlling interest in the Carthage Electric Light Company, which was consolidated with the Watertown plant. The Taylorville plant was developed by Mr. Taylor in 1913, and the following year the Carthage and Watertown plants were merged into the new Northern New York Utilities Corporation.
In 1914 Mr. Taylor purchased from the Carthage Tissue Mills Company the power at Balls Dam on the Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County, and from other interests acquired Cotton Rapids and Rock Dam, and began the development of Balls Dam into a hydro-electric station. In 1915 the lines were extended all through Dexter, Chaumont, Three Mile Bay, Cape Vincent, Depauville, Clayton and Alexandria Bay, Mr. Taylor having acquired the plants in the above named cities. During 1916-17 he acquired further holdings and enlarged the system considerably, and in 1919 additional power plants on the Black River and Oswegatchie River were developed. It was in that year also that Mr. Taylor reorganized the Black River Power Company. In December, 1920, he sold his interests and holdings to the Carlisle interests. Mr. Taylor had city homes in New York City and Port Chester, and his summer estate was located at Pine Tree Point, Thousand Islands.
Throughout his life Mr. Taylor was a Democrat. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree, Milton Point Casino Club, Thousand Island Country Club, Thousand Island Yacht Club, Alexandria Bay Golf Club, New York Athletic Club, Racquette & Tennis Club, Bankers Club, Greenwich Country Club, Fort Orange Club, and Black River Valley Club. His hobby was rare antiques, of which he had an unusual collection, and he was also especially interested in fine bronzes.
Roswell Flower Taylor .- One of the able young attorneys of Water- town, widely known throughout Jefferson County, was born in New York City, March 23, 1903, the son of John Byron and Emma Flower Taylor.
A sketch of John Byron Taylor appears elsewhere in this history.
The early education of Roswell Flower Taylor was received in the public schools of Watertown, and he attended St. John's Military Acad- emy, Manlius, N. Y., and is a graduate of Hotchkiss Preparatory School, class of 1922. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Yale Uni- versity in 1926 and was graduated from the Law School of Cornell Uni- versity in 1929. In that year Mr. Taylor was admitted to the bar and immediately became associated with Cobb, Cosgrove, Harter & Wright, with offices in the Jefferson County Bank Building. Mr. Taylor was
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elected as a member of the city council in November, 1929. President of Woodruff Holding Corporation, 1931.
In 1926 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Helen Baker, the daughter of Ralph S. and Sybil Baker, of Perry, N. Y. They are now residents of Watertown, where Mr. Baker is interested in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have a son, Roswell Flower, Jr.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Black River Valley Club, Jefferson County Country Club, Crescent Yacht Club, Thousand Island Yacht Club, Yale Club of New York, Beta Theta Pi and Phi Delta Phi fraternities, B. P. O. Elks, and Jefferson County Bar Association, Seigneury Club of Canada.
Mr. Taylor holds the commission of Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve, being in charge of the 13th Fleet Division and Lieutenant (Jr.) New York Naval Militia.
The Taylor family holds membership in Trinity Episcopal Church.
Raymond W. Oakes is prominent in financial circles in Watertown, where he is secretary and treasurer of the Jefferson Securities Corpora- tion and assistant cashier of the Jefferson County National Bank. He was born at Brownville, Jefferson County, Nov. 27, 1884, the son of William D. and Ida M. (Calkins) Oakes.
William D. Oakes spent his entire life in Brownville Township, Jeffer- son County, and was a prosperous farmer. He died in 1901 and is buried at Dexter, N. Y. His widow, born in Brownville Township, resides at Chaumont. Mr. Oakes was a Democrat in politics and held membership in the First Presbyterian Church. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Oakes was Raymond W., the subject of this sketch.
The education of Raymond W. Oakes was received in the public schools of Dexter, N. Y., and he attended Albany Business College after his graduation from high school. In 1903 he began as a messenger in the City National Bank, at Watertown. He resigned in 1910 as bookkeeper and served in the same capacity with the Northern New York Trust Company, Watertown. Two years later Mr. Oakes assumed the duties of bookkeeper with the Jefferson County Savings Bank, and in 1917 be- came cashier of the State Bank of Theresa, N. Y. The following year he was elected cashier of the Bank of Antwerp, N. Y. His next position was as assistant secretary of the Watertown Savings Bank from 1921 until 1922, and he then became assistant cashier of the Jefferson County National Bank, Watertown, being elected secretary and treasurer of the
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Jefferson County Securities Corporation in 1927. He now holds the latter two offices, and is also vice president of the First National Bank, of Lacona, N. Y.
In 1910 Mr. Oakes was united in marriage with Miss Jane E. Kitts, the daughter of John E. and Hattie M. (Williams) Kitts, who were na- tives of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., both now deceased. They are buried at Fairport, N. Y. For a number of years Mr. Kitts was well known as a contractor in Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Oakes have a son, Paul R., who attends the Watertown public schools.
Politically, Mr. Oakes is a Democrat. He and his family hold member- ship in All Souls Universalist Church, Watertown.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Oakes were John and Barbara Oakes, who were natives of Jefferson County and well known residents of Brown- ville, where Mr. Oakes followed the trade of wagonmaker. His maternal grandparents were William and Mary Calkins, also born in Brownville Township, Jefferson County.
Addison B. Parker, president of the Parker Press, Inc., is accounted one of the foremost business men of Watertown. The smell of printer's ink early exercised its mystic charm on Addison B. Parker, and after a successful career in politics, it was to his first love that he returned, be- coming widely known in the northern part of the State as a printer and publisher.
Born in Fulton, N. Y., Aug. 26, 1869, the son of Rev. David D. and Emiline (Connell) Parker, he obtained his education in the public schools of Felts Mills, near Watertown, and at Smith's private school in Water- town.
At an early age Mr. Parker took a keen interest in newspaper work and spent three years on the Watertown Post as an apprentice. Having learned the trade he worked for a time on newspapers in Rochester, and Brooklyn, N. Y., and in the government printing office in Washington, D. C. Then he returned to Watertown as foreman of the printing room of the Watertown Post.
During 1906 and 1907 Mr. Parker was head of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in New York State, and for 12 years was one of four representatives of the state organization to the national body of Odd Fellows. He established the "Lodge Record," in 1893, which is one of the most widely read publications of the Order.
Mr. Parker's political career began in 1899 when he was elected super- visor of the first ward of Watertown, on the Republican ticket, an office
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which he held for several years. For three years he was chairman of the board of supervisors.
In 1904 he was named assistant journal clerk of the State Senate and in 1905 became index clerk of that body, holding that office for eight years. In 1914 he was appointed private secretary to Thaddeus C. Sweet, speaker of the Assembly, and in the following year was made deputy secretary of State.
In 1921 Mr. Parker retired from politics and returned to Watertown, where he became publisher and general manager of the Watertown Stan- dard. When the paper was purchased by the Watertown "Times" in August, 1929, Mr. Parker turned his whole attention to the publishing of the "Lodge Record" and the conduct of the printing business managed by his son, Fred M. Parker.
In 1893 Mr. Parker founded the Parker Press, which was located on the second floor of the Doolittle Hall block, on the public square. In 1894 the plant was moved to the McCumber block on Court Street, and when the Hall Building was erected, he moved there. On June 1, 1922, the plant was moved to its present location, 252 State Street.
The plant of the Parker Press has a complete equipment of type for commercial printing in addition to two Kelly presses, has five modern, fast presses, wire stitcher, and round cornering machine. It is one of the most complete commercial plants in New York state.
Mr. Parker married, Oct. 23, 1891, Miss Grace Carpenter.
Mr. Parker is a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Shrine. He is a member of the Elks and the Odd Fellows and belongs to the Black River Valley Club; Jefferson County Golf Club; and the Lakeside Country Club.
Edward W. Elsworth .- A member of one of the oldest and best known families of northern New York, Edward W. Elsworth is a representative citizen of Watertown, where he lives retired. He was born at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1876, the son of Hon. Edward and Mary (Johnston) Elsworth.
Hon. Edward Elsworth was born in New York City in 1840. He was a graduate of the old Poughkeepsie Law School and received the degree of Master of Arts (honorary) from Rutgers College. He was treasurer and trustee of Vassar College for many years and was an outstanding citizen of Poughkeepsie. He had numerous banking and business interests and for a short time also practiced law. He held the office of president of the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank. In early life Mr. Elsworth was a Democrat and later a Republican and held the office of mayor of the city for two
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terms. He also was judge advocate of the New York State 8th Brigade. He was a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Elsworth died in 1911. He had married Miss Mary Johnston in 1867. She was born at Pough- keepsie in 1842 and died in 1902. Both are buried in Poughkeepsie. Their children were: Grace, deceased; Mary Johnston, lives at Poughkeepsie; Ethel Hinton, lives at Poughkeepsie; and Edward W., the subject of this sketch.
The first member of the Elsworth family who came to this country from Holland was Theophilus Elsworth, who settled in New Amsterdam in 1645. Many members of this family now reside throughout the state of New York.
After his graduation from Riverview Academy in Poughkeepsie, Edward W. Elsworth attended Amherst College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1898. The following year he came to Watertown as cost accountant for the New York Air Brake Company. He later was identified with the Remington Paper Company as manager of the Norwood Paper Company, which was one of the three companies owned by the Remington interests at that time. He became extensively interested in the pulp wood business as a broker and until his retirement in 1929 was recognized as a leader in that particular field.
In 1902 Mr. Elsworth married Miss Katharine Goodale. Their chil- dren are: 1. John Van Varick, who is identified with the Austin Ice Cream Company, of Watertown, as refrigeration engineer. He married Miss Lois Hunt. 2. Katharine L., who married Albert Horr, lives in Watertown. 3. Grace Foster, at home. 4. Mary Pauline, a student.
In politics Mr. Elsworth has always been identified with the Republi- can party. He is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Water- town, and belongs to the Sons of the Revolution and Holland Society.
Frederick Merrell Boyer .- One of the outstanding figures in profes- sional circles in Jefferson County is Frederick M. Boyer, who is success- fully engaged in the practice of law in Watertown, with office in the Jefferson County National Bank Building. He was born in this city, Jan. 13, 1872, the son of Frederick H. and Sylvia (Merrell) Boyer.
Frederick H. Boyer was born in Jefferson County and his wife was a native of Watertown. As a young man he purchased the city's pioneer grocery house, located in old Washington Hall block, now the location of the Y. M. C. A. building. Mr. Boyer continued in business until 1875, when he was forced to retire on account of ill health. He died in 1885 and his wife died in 1875. Both are buried in Watertown. Mr. Boyer
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was a Democrat and held membership in the Episcopal Church. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyer: Frederick Merrell, the subject of this sketch; and Edwin Dodge, lives in Watertown.
Frederick H. Boyer was the son of Joseph and Roxanna (Howland) Boyer. Joseph Boyer was born in France and came to this country with Count Vincent LeRay du Chaumont and a party of emigrants. Joseph Boyer settled at Evans Mills and became one of Count Le Ray's business agents. His first wife was Miss Evans. Mr. Boyer is buried at Evans Mills, N. Y., and his second wife is buried at Watertown.
Sylvia (Merrell) Boyer was the daughter of Hiram A. and Caroline (Remington) Merrell, the former a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and the latter of Connecticut. He was a farmer and spent his early life at Sackets Harbor, N. Y., later removing to Watertown, where he owned and operated the old Stone Mill.
Frederick Merrell Boyer attended the Watertown public schools, from which he was graduated in 1888. Two years later he completed a course of study at St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H., and in 1894 received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Yale University. Mr. Boyer then read law in the offices of the late John and Robert Lansing, and was admitted to the New York bar in 1897. From that date until 1910 he was associated in practice with the firm of Lansing & Lansing, but has since conducted a private practice.
Mr. Boyer was married in 1903 to Miss Jessie Willard Hall, the daugh- ter of James T. and Catherine Louisa (Hamlin) Hall, natives of Oneida County, both now deceased. Their daughters are: 1. Sylvia B., married Malcolm L. Williams, lives in Philadelphia. 2. Catherine, who lives at home.
Mr. Boyer is a member of the Episcopal Church, and holds member- ship in the Yale Club of New York, Black River Valley Club, Crescent Yacht Club, Zeta Psi fraternity, and Jefferson County Bar Association. He has always been a Democrat and is a member of the Watertown Board of Education.
Charles P. Redmond .- One of the progressive young business men of Watertown is Charles P. Redmond, who is associated with the well known insurance firm of B. J. Redmond & Son. He was born in this city, Oct. 14, 1902, the son of Bernard James and Ida (Fall) Redmond.
A complete sketch of Bernard J. Redmond appears elsewhere in this history.
Charles P. Redmond has always lived in Watertown. After his gradu- ation from Watertown High School in 1920 he received the degree of
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Bachelor of Science at New York University in 1924. He has since been interested in the insurance business with his father in this city and in January, 1925, was made junior partner in the business. They are spe- cialists in fire, theft and casualty insurance and have an extensive busi- ness throughout this section of the State. Mr. Redmond belongs to the Watertown Insurance Exchange, New York State Association of Local Agents, and National Association of Insurance Agents.
In 1927 Mr. Redmond was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. O'Brien, the daughter of Jerome J. and Ellen (McAvoy) O'Brien, who were natives of Rossie, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Mr. O'Brien died in February, 1931, and his wife died in 1924. Both are buried at Rossie. Mr. and Mrs. Redmond have two children, Ellen and Brian Patrick.
Mr. Redmond is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and belongs to B. P. O. Elks No. 496, Alpha Kappa Psi and Theta Nu Epsilon fra- ternities. Politically he is a Democrat.
The house in Evans Mills, which is occupied by Mr. Redmond and his family, was built in 1830 and is one of the fine old landmarks of this community.
Walter R. Eggleston, who is serving as superintendent of highways in Jefferson County, is recognized as one of the county's capable officials. He was born at Henderson Harbor, N. Y., May 11, 1885, the son of Charles D. and Margaret A. (Norton) Eggleston.
Charles D. Eggleston was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born at Henderson Harbor, N. Y., and died there in February, 1929. Through- out the Civil War he served in the New York cavalry and was discharged with the rank of corporal. Until his retirement Mr. Eggleston sailed the Great Lakes and for many years was a master. He was independent in politics and belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. His widow was born at Lake George, and lives at Henderson Harbor. To Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston were born the following children: Lottie M., the widow of Grant Gilbert, lives at Liverpool, N. Y .; Viola, deceased; Elizabeth, married Henry Montague, lives at Henderson Harbor; Fred and Edna, both de- ceased; George R. and Charles Terry live at Henderson Harbor; John, lives at Syracuse; Walter R., the subject of this sketch; and James, lives at Henderson Harbor.
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