USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 18
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 18
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 18
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 18
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 18
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Mr. Hall is identified with the American Society of Civil Engineers, Association of Highway Officials of North Atlantic States, Association of State Civil Service Employees of the State of New York, New York State Association of Highway Engineers, and Jefferson-Lewis Counties Chapter Professional Engineers. He is also vice president and director of the Consaul-Hall Company, Inc.
In 1920 Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Marion Axtell, the daughter of E. W. and Estelle (Kilton) Axtell, natives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, respectively. He lives retired at Great Barrington, Mass. His wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of a daughter, Estelle.
Mr. Hall is a Republican, a member of Christ Episcopal Church, and belongs to Clayton Lodge F. & A. M. No. 296; Clayton Chapter R. A. M. No. 301; Watertown Commandery K. T. No. 11; Media Temple; Black River Valley Club, member of the board of governors; and Jefferson County Golf Club.
Lloyd H. Casler, who is president of the Hunting Supply Corporation, of Watertown, is recognized as one of the most able and successful busi- ness men of Jefferson County. He was born at Starkville, Herkimer County, N. Y., May 2, 1879, the son of Rev. Harvey and Sarah A. (Fox) Casler.
Rev. Harvey Casler was widely known in northern New York as a minister of the Methodist Church. He was born at Starkville, N. Y., March 16, 1842, and died in Watertown, Oct. 14, 1916. Reverend Casler was a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary and Evanston Theological Semi- nary in Illinois. He spent six years at Henderson, five years at North Bay, and was located at St. Lawrence at the time of his retirement from the ministry. He later moved to Watertown in 1908. Reverend Casler was married in 1864 to Miss Sarah A. Fox, also of Starkville. She died Dec. 18, 1921, and with her husband is buried in Brookside Cemetery, Watertown. To Reverend and Mrs. Casler were born two sons: Dr. Raymond F., men- tion of whom is made below; and Lloyd H., the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Raymond F. Casler was born at Starkville, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1874, and died June 8, 1924. He was a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary and the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania in 1898. During the following year he engaged in the practice of dentistry at Little Falls, N. Y., and in 1899 located in Watertown, where he took over the well established practice of the late
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Dr. John D. Huntington. Doctor Casler was prominent in Masonic circles, being identified with Watertown Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 49; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M. No. 59; Watertown Commandery K. T. No. 11, past commander; and Media Temple. He had served as president of the Jeffer- son County and New York State Dental Societies, and also belonged to the American Dental Association. He was a member of the First Presby- terian Church and belonged to the Black River Valley Club.
Lloyd H. Casler, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of Henderson and Colebrook, N. Y., and in 1896 was graduated from Union Academy at Bellville. He also completed a course of study at Cazenovia Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1898, and began his business career with the Citizens National Bank of Adams, N. Y., as a messenger and bookkeeper. In 1900 he went with the Fidelity Trust Company, of Rochester, N. Y., and later went with Brewster-Chrittenden, wholesale grocers, of Rochester, as city salesman. In 1906 Mr. Casler came to Water- town as a traveling representative for the Hunting Company. Two years later he was elected treasurer of the company, which was incorporated in 1923 as the Hunting Supply Corporation, and in the latter year Mr. Casler became president of the concern. They are dealers in plumbing, heating and mill supplies, and also handle supplies for tinning contractors. Mr. Casler holds membership in the Eastern Supply Association, National Plumbing & Heating Institute of Chicago, and National Chamber of Commerce.
In 1907 Mr. Casler was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Fuller, the daughter of Hon. Harrison and Ella (Snell) Fuller. Mr. Fuller was born at Adams, N. Y., Aug. 1, 1845, and died June 2, 1904. He owned and operated 1,700 acres of fine land in Jefferson County and was recognized as one of the most prominent citizens of Adams, where he was vice president of the Farmers National Bank. He was also a director of the Watertown National Bank. Mr. Fuller was a Republican in politics, and in 1891 was elected to the General Assembly of New York. He served during two terms and was the author of some of the most important bills passed during that period of legislation. In 1894 he was chairman of the committee on banks, and a member of the ways and means committee. During the four terms that Mr. Fuller sat in the Assembly there were few, if any, who surpassed him in industry and sagacity, and none to whom he was second in honest devotion to public interests. He was married on Oct. 25, 1865, to Miss Ella Snell, and their only child was Martha A. Casler. Mr. Fuller was a member of Rising Sun Lodge, F. & A. M .; Adams Chapter R. A. M. No. 205; Water- town Commandery K. T. No. 11; and Media Temple. He was a generous contributor to church and charities, which were of benefit to the poor.
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Mr. Casler is a Republican, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and has the following lodge and club affiliations: Watertown Lodge F. & A. M. No. 49; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M. No. 59; Watertown Command- ery, K. T. No. 11; Media Temple; Kiwanis Club ; Black River Valley Club ; Jefferson County Golf Club; Watertown Golf Club; and Chamber of Commerce.
Wayne W. Parsons .- As president of the North Country Battery Sales, Inc., Mr. Parsons is widely known among the young business men of Watertown, where he was born June 5, 1898. He is the son of Charles B. and Myrtle (Wilson) Parsons.
Charles B. Parsons was born at Batavia, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1874, the son of Wayne H. and Cornelia M. Parsons. At the age of 11 years Charles B. Parsons came to Watertown with his parents. His father was appointed manager of the Postal Telegraph office in this city, and as a young man Mr. Parsons was associated with him. He later spent two years at Troy, N. Y., and upon his return to Watertown became telegraph operator for the Watertown Standard, being employed by the newspaper at the date of its first publication, March 21, 1894. Mr. Parsons continued in the news- paper's employ until his retirement April 12, 1928. He died Feb. 11, 1931. Mr. Parsons served as official weather observer of Watertown from 1912 until 1926, being appointed by the department of agriculture, and during 1925-26 he was earthquake observer for Northern New York. He held membership in the First Baptist Church and belonged to the Lincoln League, Grange, and Royal Arcanum. His wife was the daughter of Frank Wilson, of Watertown. To Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were born two children: Bernice, married John Etherington, lives at Watertown; and Wayne W., the subject of this sketch.
After his graduation from Watertown High School in 1918, Wayne W. Parsons enlisted for service in the World War as a member of the Student Army Training Corps, at Syracuse University. He was later transferred to the Officers Training School, Louisville, Ky., where he received the commission of second lieutenant of artillery. After his discharge from the service he returned to Watertown as a salesman for the Schooner-Camp- bell Company, with whom he was identified until February, 1923. He then engaged in business for himself as organizer of the Bat-Elec Service Com- pany. The business was incorporated in February, 1928, as the North Country Battery Sales, Inc. Mr. Parsons is president with E. L. Sweeney as secretary and treasurer. They are exclusive agents for the Willard Storage Battery, and also are dealers for the Goodyear Rubber Company.
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They are experts in battery, electric and ignition service and have a well equipped shop at 621 State Street.
In 1921 Mr. Parsons married Miss Elsie Carpenter, the daughter of Charles E. and Marie (Vedder) Carpenter, of Tarrytown, N. Y.
Mr. Parsons is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and be- longs to the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, and Watertown Golf Club.
Henry D. Goodale .- One of Watertown's foremost citizens and public benefactors was Henry D. Goodale, who died in this city, April 4, 1912. He was born on the old Sewall homestead, Sewall Island, Watertown, Nov. 7, 1852, the son of Dr. Charles and Mary (Sewall) Goodale.
Dr. Charles Goodale was a prominent physician and surgeon of Water- town, where he engaged in practice until his death in 1876. He studied medicine in Paris and during the Civil War served as a surgeon. He was the son of Dr. Reuben Goodale, who was a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and one of the first physicians and surgeons of Watertown.
Henry D. Goodale attended the public schools of Watertown and as a young man was employed in the building of the railroad between Water- town and Carthage, being in the employ of Frank Himes, surveyor. In 1869 he entered the old National Bank and Loan Company, as an office boy. He rapidly became acquainted with the banking business, and was identi- fied with that institution for a period of 16 years. He resigned as cashier in 1885, and at that time established a real estate and insurance business, with which he was identified during the remainder of his life. He also developed an extensive loan business, and was connected with many of the city's largest real estate transactions. He was also district manager of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.
One of the most important civic enterprises with which Mr. Goodale was identified was the founding of the Watertown city park. It was through his efforts that the project was started, and he served as active head of the movement. He outlined the park plans and aided in carrying them out to completion, and the entire supervision of the work was entrusted to him.
Mr. Goodale was active in city affairs during his early life and for sev- eral years was a member of the Watertown School Board, of which he served as president.
In 1875 Mr. Goodale married Miss Fanny Waite, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Waite of Watertown. Mrs. Goodale died in 1914 and is buried in Watertown. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodale were born two daughters: 1. Elizabeth, the wife of Walter G. Massey. 2. Grace, wife of Leonard D. Worden. Both live in Watertown.
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Mr. Goodale was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church and was affiliated with Watertown Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 49; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M. No. 59; Watertown Commandery, K. T. No. 11; and Media Temple. He also belonged to the Black River Valley Club.
Frank L. Massey, deceased, was an outstanding figure in the business and civic life of Watertown for many years, being identified with the Massey Machine Company as president. He was born at Cleveland, Ohio, March 10, 1872, the son of Albert Parsons and Phoebe Scott (Griffith) Massey.
Albert Parsons Massey was a native of Watertown. He received his early education in the public schools of this city and was a graduate of Yale University. He began his business career in San Francisco, Calif., and was later located in the Sandwich Islands. Upon his return to Cleve- land, Ohio, Mr. Massey became a member of the firm of Younglove & Massey, well known manufacturers of agricultural implements. He then came to Watertown in 1887, where he was identified with the New York Air Brake Company as an inventor. Mr. Massey became master mechanic for that concern and while on an ocean voyage to regain his health he died and was buried at sea. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Massey: Frank L., the subject of this sketch; George B., Chicago, Ill .; Walter G., Watertown; Clara, Watertown.
Frank L. Massey grew up in Watertown and attended the public schools. He was graduated from Yale University and began as a clerk in the draft- ing rooms of the New York Air Brake Company. Later he was made fore- man of the pumper department, and after his marriage in 1901 he sailed for Moscow, Russia, as a representative for the company, at that time manufacturers of railway equipment for the Russian government. Mr. Massey returned to the United States in 1902 and in 1903 resigned. In that year he was active in the organization of the Massey Machine Com- pany in Watertown, in partnership with his brothers, Walter G. and George B. Massey. Mr. Massey continued as president of the concern until the time of his death, April 21, 1925. Prior to 1914 he had been president of the H. D. Goodale Company. The Massey Machine Company is widely known as successful manufacturers of governors for machines.
Mr. Massey was long identified with municipal affairs and for ten years was a member of the municipal civil service commission, declining reap- pointment in 1922, when offered the office by former Mayor Robert E. Cahill. During 1917-18 Mr. Massey was president of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce. He was a director of the Jefferson County Na- tional Bank and served as chairman of the building committee.
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During the World War Mr. Massey went overseas in the interests of the American Red Cross and was made assistant director of motor trans- portation for the Red Cross in France. In his official capacity he traveled extensively throughout the war zone, including the English, Belgian, and French fronts. He later visited the various important battlefields and war sectors throughout France.
On Sept. 19, 1901, Mr. Massey was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Phillips Goodale, the daughter of the late Henry D. Goodale, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. Mr. and Mrs. Massey's son is Albert Goodale Massey, secretary of the Massey Machine Company.
Mr. Massey held membership in the Rotary Club and belonged to the Black River Valley Club.
On Jan. 1, 1931, Mrs. Massey married Walter G. Massey, a brother of Frank L. Massey. Walter G. Massey is general manager of the Massey Machine Company.
George Willard Knowlton .- A most picturesque, forceful and public- spirited figure was the late George Willard Knowlton, who was a member of one of the oldest and an honored family of Watertown, N. Y. He was born in this city, Aug. 17, 1839, and died March 18, 1931.
The name of Knowlton goes far back into English history and the days of William the Conqueror. At that time there were two brothers who won their spurs during the invasion of Wales. According to tradition, one of them resided on a hill and the other one on a knoll, and when William the Conqueror invested them with the honors of knighthood, he named one Hilton and the other Knowlton. Down through the pages of English his- tory the name of Knowlton has continued to occupy an honored place.
The American branch of the family traces its descent from Richard Knowlton, a native of Kent, England. He was born in 1553 and married Elizabeth Cantize in 1577. The youngest son of Richard and Elizabeth (Cantize) Knowlton was the first William Knowlton. He was born in 1584, and married Anne Elizabeth Smith.
William, the second, the fourth son of William the first, when but a youth, began life as a sailor. He was a captain and part owner of an ocean vessel. He died in 1632 and was buried at sea off the coast of Nova Scotia.
William, the third, the son of William the second, was born in 1615. He lived in Ipswich, Mass. He was a brick layer. His third son was William, who was a tailor, was born in 1642. He was fined for having a pack of cards in his house. The names of Thomas and Ezekial Knowlton then are found in the line of ancestors of Mr. Knowlton.
GEORGE WILLARD KNOWLTON
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The fifth child of Ezekial Knowlton was born at Shrewsbury, Mass., in 1738. His name was Luke Knowlton and before his death in 1810, he rose to a position of prominence in the state of Vermont, where he served as legislator and judge. His son Calvin Knowlton, was born on Jan. 22, 1761. He died before he reached the age of 40, after his mar- riage to Sophia Willard, and he left two children. The oldest, who was but five years of age when his father died, was George W. Knowlton, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, George W. Knowlton, Jr.
George Willard Knowlton, Sr., was born Jan. 19, 1795, and died Oct. 18, 1886. When he was 16 years of age he entered the employ of the distillery at Warehouse Point, Conn., operated by a General Jenks. There he remained during the War of 1812. When he reached the age of 21, in 1816, he began business for himself in a general store at Brattleboro, Vt. Here he was fairly successful. It was in 1824 that he entered into partnership with Clark Rice, a young printer, for the purchase of some property in Watertown, N. Y. With that purchase the name of Knowl- ton became connected with the paper industry and with that industry he was associated until his retirement in 1854. As one of the original members of the Second Presbyterian Church, he was active in its affairs, now the Stone Street Church. In 1832 he was chosen an elder of the church and served in that capacity until his death.
In August, 1830, Mr. Knowlton married Miss Elizabeth Carroll, George Willard Knowlton being their fifth child in order of birth.
George Willard Knowlton, Jr., received his education in the schools of this city. In 1856, at the age of 15, he went to work in the paper mill which had been owned by his father, but which at that time was operated by the firm of Chamberlain & Farrell. His first job was in the finishing room, in those days called the saul, and for his labors he received 25 cents a day. For five years he worked for this firm, acquiring a thorough knowledge of paper making in all its branches.
Then in 1861 there came the crisis for the firm of Chamberlain & Farrell. As a result G. W. and J. C. Knowlton took over the property and once again the paper mill of their father was back in the hands of the Knowlton family.
The story of the founding and growth of this paper mill is an import- ant part of the history of Jefferson County.
It was in 1808,-Watertown was then but a small hamlet only three years old-when Gurdon Caswell, a pioneer settler from Oneida County, erected a small two story frame building on the south bank of the Black River. It was in this crude plant, now the site of the Knowlton Brothers' paper mill, the paper mill industry of northern New York had its birth.
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It was not until about the time of the Civil War that other paper mills began to appear.
The little paper mill, built in 1808 and called the "Pioneer Mill" by the founder, Mr. Caswell, together with a second small mill, came into the possession of Holbrook and Fessenden, uncles of George W. Knowlton, Sr., in the settlement of a debt. In 1824, George W. Knowlton, Sr., and Clark Rice, a young printer, secured the two mills built by Caswell for $7,000. All of the parties concerned were residents of Brattleboro, Vt., and after the purchase of the plant, Clark Rice came immediately to Watertown, Mr. Knowlton coming here in 1825. Their purchase included in addition to the two mills, a book store and a printing shop.
Finding it difficult to dispose of any considerable quantity of paper, the owners turned the product of their plant into school books, blank books, and even miscellaneous books for public school libraries. The name of Knowlton & Rice came to be a familiar one through a large section of the country. The Webster's spelling book, Cobb's Series of Spellers and Readers, Pierce's Grammar and Ruger's Arithmetic, which were carried under the arms of many school children of that day were all made and printed by Knowlton & Rice.
In 1833, a fire burned one of the paper mills and the printing plant, but both were reestablished with better equipment and added facilities. The new mill operated successfully until 1848, when it was destroyed in the fire of March 21 of that year. It was at once replaced with a brick mill. That little mill is a part of the present Knowlton Brothers, Inc., plant.
In 1861, when George W. Knowlton, Jr., was 20 years old, and his brother J. C. Knowlton was four years his senior, they decided to venture into the paper business themselves. John C. Knowlton had been employed for some time in the Wooster Sherman's bank and had about $1,200 to advance toward the establishment of the business. Their father endorsed their note for $5,000 and the brothers formed a partnership which was highly successful from the first. The brothers continued in partnership until 1892. George W. Knowlton, Sr., died in 1886, and in 1888, John C. Knowlton retired from active management. On March 19, 1892, the Knowlton Brothers company was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. George W. Knowlton, Jr., was the president. G. Seymour, his son, now is president of the company.
Starting with the manufacture of a few forms of crude paper, the mill has developed until today it produces the highest grades. The efforts of the Knowlton Brothers has been directed almost exclusively to the making of high grade colored specialties. Conspicuous in this line is the produc-
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tion of paper for catalogue covers. This special line of their manufacture is distributed to all parts of the world.
As Knowlton Brothers expanded, the reputation of George Willard Knowlton, Jr., as a mill executive grew. When the Ontario Paper com- pany was organized and erected a mill at Glen Park, Mr. Knowlton was made president of the company.
In 1898, George C. Sherman and David M. Anderson, partners in the Taggart Paper Company, organized the St. Regis Paper Company and urged Mr. Knowlton to become president of the company, which he did in 1900. He remained in that position for six years, then retiring as presi- dent but remained on the board of directors.
A benevolent spirit prompted George Willard Knowlton, Jr., through- out his life to do all in his power to aid and uplift the needy and struggling wherever they were found. There were countless individual acts of phil- anthropy that escaped publicity because of the fact that Mr. Knowlton was of a retiring nature and cared not at all for publicity in his acts of kind- ness. His services to the Jefferson County Orphanage is well known. For more than half a century he was an able member of the board of trustees, and for many years he was president of the institution. The new home of the orphanage was made possible to a large degree by Mr. Knowlton's untiring efforts. He brought about the cottage plan of caring for the children, and under his able guidance, the institution passed suc- cessfully through one of the most important periods of its history.
The manufacture of paper and charitable work were not the only things that occupied the time of Mr. Knowlton. He served the Water- town National Bank as its president for 42 years. He retired from that position in 1927.
Twice married, Mr. Knowlton's first wife was Miss Frances G. Clarke, daughter of John Clarke. They were united in marriage in 1862, and two children were born to them: George Seymour, and Elizabeth Frances Knowlton, who later became Mrs. G. V. S. Camp. The first Mrs. Knowlton died in 1868, leaving two small children.
On Dec. 8, 1870, Mr. Knowlton married Miss Gertrude S. Ely, daugh- ter of Adrian Ely, of Auburn. To them were born three children: Theo- dore Ely, Carrol Foster (commonly known as Jack Knowlton) and Ger- trude Willard Knowlton (Mrs. Malcolm Pirnie). Theodore E. Knowlton upon reaching manhood, took up the study of engineering and has become outstanding in the work.
To Stone Street Presbyterian Church where Mr. Knowlton's father and mother, George Willard and Elizabeth Carroll Knowlton, were early
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members, he gave a beautiful stained glass window in 1913 to their memory. The window, in beautiful colors, is entitled "Jerusalem."
Mr. Knowlton was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 74 years and an elder of the church for 45. He was received into the church May 3, 1857, and first was elected a ruling elder on Dec. 2, 1885.
He took a keen interest in all political struggles. He was a Republi- can and was interested in reform and advocated wisely directed progress in reform matters. He was ever prompt in the discharge of his political obligations.
Mr. Knowlton's death brought to a close a career well rounded in its public service. He was a quiet, kindly dignified gentleman, of distin- guished appearance. Throughout his life, all his activities were marked by their utter simplicity and lack of ostentation. He was satisfied with accomplishment and had no taste for public acclaim.
Grosvenor S. Farmer, M. D .- As dean of the medical profession in Jefferson County, Doctor Farmer is one of Watertown's leading citizens, where he has engaged successfully in the practice of his profession for more than half a century. He was born at Fowler, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1850, the son of Francis and Louise (Homer) Farmer.
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