USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 46
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 46
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 46
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 46
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 46
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3. George Henry, born Aug. 9, 1852, and died Jan. 24, 1917, in Fort Covington. Was a druggist and later postmaster, Massena, N. Y. Gen- eral merchant in Fort Covington for many years.
4. James, born July 20, 1855. Now president of The Fort Covington Banking Company and one of its founders.
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5. William Napier, the subject of this sketch.
Doctor Macartney was educated in the old Fort Covington Academy. He later was employed in a local drug store and became a licensed phar- macist. He studied medicine at the same time under Dr. William Gillis and later attended the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York, from which institution he was graduated with high honors in March, 1888. On competitive examination he secured an interneship in Bellevue Hospital, New York City, serving there during the years 1888- 1890. He moved to Fort Covington in 1890 where he has since resided. He has had an exceedingly active practice, owns a well-established drug business, has been health officer continuously for the combined district since 1891 and has served as coroner from 1896 to the present time. He has been local surgeon to the Grand Trunk Railway since 1890. He was one of the founders of the Fort Covington Banking Company and was president of that institution from 1917 to 1929, at which time he retired from active general practice and other onerous duties.
For the last 20 years he has spent a large share of his winters in Florida, specializing there in eye, ear, nose and throat work almost exclu- sively. At present he is chiefly engaged in completing a work on general medicine, embodying largely the results of his personal experience. He is a lover of the rod and gun and a skilled taxidermist.
In January, 1902, Doctor Macartney was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Claghorn, of Savannah, Ga. She is a graduate nurse, having trained at Bellevue Hospital during the interneship of Doctor Macartney. At the time of her marriage she was assistant superintendent of the Lack- awanna Hospital in Scranton, Pa.
Doctor and Mrs. Macartney have three children: 1. William N., Jr., a graduate of the Clarkson Polytechnic Institute at Potsdam, N. Y. He is now in the employ of The Fort Covington Banking Company.
2. Elin Karlsson, who attended St. Lawrence University and was graduated from the Potsdam Normal School in 1927. She married Dr. Bruce T. Smith, physician and surgeon, of Fort Covington. They have one son, Robert Macfie Smith.
3. Caroline Claire Elsie is a graduate of Simmons College, Boston, Mass., and the College of Medicine of the University of Syracuse, class of 1930. She served as interne at the Woman's Infirmary Hospital, New York City, and is the wife of Dr. Philip W. Gorman. He is also a graduate of Syracuse University, class of 1930, and recently completed his interne- ship at Wyckoff Heights Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y. Both are now in general practice in Fort Covington.
Doctor Macartney has been for many years a constant contributor to medical literature and to journals on natural history. He is a Republican
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in politics, is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Macartney is an Episcopalian. Doctor Ma- cartney is a member of the Franklin County Medical Society, was at one time its president, and is a member of the American Medical Association. His medical practice is now limited largely to special work and con- sultations.
Col. Robert P. Grant .- One of the most prominent figures in the finan- cial and industrial life of Jefferson County during the early days was Colonel Grant, who was founder and cashier for many years of the Na- tional Exchange Bank of Clayton, and he was also president of the State Dairy Board of Trade. Colonel Grant was born at Neversink, Sullivan County, N. Y., May 6, 1844.
The Grant family is of Scotch origin, and proof that its members still maintain the qualities of the ancestral stock is attested by the career of Colonel Grant, whose attainment to prominence and success in life was due to unflagging industry and indomitable resolution. Col. Robert P. Grant, namesake of his paternal grandfather, was a second cousin of the illustrious Ulysses S. Grant. He was reared to a life of industry and acquired the fundamentals of an education in the district schools, after- ward managing to obtain two winter's tuition in the high school, and this preparation, with his natural ability and subsequent attainments, proved an ample equipment for the duties of a stirring and useful life.
After leaving school, Robert P. Grant was employed as clerk in a store at a wage of 25 cents a day, boarding himself. It was later increased to 50 cents per day and by close economy Mr. Grant saved enough money to purchase some sheep, adding to his flock from time to time as his increase would permit, until at the end of five years he sold out and found himself in possession of a capital amounting to $500. He then learned the tanner's trade in which he was employed in 1863, when he temporarily abandoned his work to respond to the call of his country. He enlisted in Company 6, 92nd Regiment. When the rebel general moved up the Shenandoah Valley in the invasion of Pennsylvania in 1864, Capt. Grant participated with his regiment in a movement to the state line. He dis- played fine soldierly qualities during his service, and in 1865 he was pro- moted to the colonelcy of the regiment, although he was its youngest commissioned officer. After his return from military service, Col. Grant, with two others, purchased the tannery in which he had served his ap- prenticeship, but a year later relinquished the business to engage in farm- ing and storekeeping in Neversink.
In 1869 he removed to Hawkersville, N. Y., where he conducted a store. In 1871 he went to Cameron County, Pa., where he bought the bark on a
COL. ROBERT P. GRANT
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10,000 acre tract, and also erected a tannery which he operated until 1874. In that year he disposed of his holdings and with a capital of a few thousand dollars went to Fort Madison, Iowa, where in association with State Senator Kent, he founded in 1875 the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. The business did not satisfy and he sold his bank stock and came the following year to Clayton, N. Y., where with A. F. Barker he estab- lished the Bank of Clayton, which four years later was reorganized under the same name and under the state banking system.
In 1884 Colonel Grant bought the bank interest and with 50 others organized the Exchange Bank, an institution which under his direction gained success beyond all expectations and afforded opportunity for ex- pansion. In 1897 he brought about a reorganization with 120 stockholders, and January 1st following, he placed the bank under the national bank- ing system as The National Exchange Bank of Clayton, with a capital of $50,000 and a surplus at that time of $73,000.
From the founding of the new bank until his death, Oct. 22, 1918, Col. Grant occupied the two-fold position of cashier and general manager of the institution and was also one of its largest stockholders. He was a member of the National Bankers Association. He enjoyed a wide ac- quaintance with state and national legislators, with whom he consulted frequently with reference to financial and economic questions. He was also actively interested in the industrial life of the community and state and was recognized as a leader in the bringing of dairying and its inter- ests to their present importance. About 1893 he became interested in cheese manufacturing, and was instrumental in the building of several factories in this section. As president of the Watertown Produce Ex- change he procured the enactment of various constructive laws. In 1901 his long continued efforts resulted in the formation of the State Dairy Board, of which he was elected President.
Colonel Grant was elected supervisor in 1901 but refused the election in 1902 at an entertainment given at Thousand Island Park by Jefferson County to the State Board of Charities. Colonel Grant was chosen by the Board of Supervisors to deliver an address of welcome to the visitors.
During his business career Colonel Grant also conducted a large and profitable insurance business at Clayton.
Colonel Grant was married on Sept. 14, 1870, to Miss Lettie C. Hayes, who is deceased. She was the daughter of the late Daniel Hayes, of Hawkinsville, N. Y. Colonel and Mrs. Grant's son is Robert D. Grant, who is executive vice president of the First National Exchange Bank of Clayton.
Colonel Grant was affiliated with Clayton Lodge F. & A. M. No. 296; Clayton Chapter R. A. M. No. 301; Watertown Commandery K. T. No. 11;
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Central City Consistory, 32nd degree; and Clayton Grange No. 647. He was a Republican in politics. He also was treasurer of the Anglers of the St. Lawrence River, and president of the Thousand Island Park Association.
John William Blackett, M. D., is a prominent member of the New York State Medical Society, and has successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Fort Covington since 1899. He was born in Quebec, Canada, Nov. 11, 1874, the son of John and Isabella (Cottingham) Blackett.
John Blackett was a native of Scotland, born at Berwick-on-Tweed in 1841. He came to America in 1864 and settled in Quebec, where he became successful as the owner of a large blacksmith shop, having in his employ at all times ten or twelve men. Because of ill health he retired in 1895 and died in 1917. He is buried in Quebec. Mr. Blackett was married in 1870 to Miss Isabella Cottingham, a native of Canada. Their children were: 1. Agnes, born in 1871, married W. A. Kneeland, attorney, lives at Knowlton, Quebec. 2. John William, the subject of this sketch. 3. Gertrude, born in 1876, married Louis Bates, retired hardware dealer, lives at East Baintree, Mass. 4. George S., born in 1879, is manager of Hampton Brothers, manufacturers of women's wear, at Montreal, Canada.
John William Blackett received his early education in the public schools and received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medi- cine at McGill University, Montreal, in 1894 and 1898 respectively. After serving as an interne in the Montreal General Hospital, Dr. Blackett located at Fort Covington, where he has established an excellent prac- tice. He has taken numerous courses in graduate work in medicine and surgery at McGill University and has also taken work at Christ Church Hospital in London. He holds membership in the Franklin County, New York State and American Medical associations.
On Aug. 28, 1905, Dr. Blackett was united in marriage with Miss Mabel S. Cameron, the daughter of J. Y. and Harriet (Parker) Cameron, of Malone, both of whom are deceased and are buried at Fort Covington. Doctor and Mrs. Blackett have no children.
Politically Dr. Blackett is a Republican. He holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and is affiliated with Aurora Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 83.
Dr. Blackett took a prominent part in college athletics while a student at McGill University, and has always maintained his interest in amateur sports. He finds his chief recreation and pleasure in travel.
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George Stanley Henry, who has taken a prominent part in the public life of Franklin County for many years, has also successfully conducted a general insurance business at Fort Covington, where he was born Feb. 22, 1856. He is the son of Ralph and Jane (Short) Henry.
Ralph Henry was born at Danville, Vt., in 1812, and was two years of age when he was brought to New York by his father, Samuel Henry. The family settled at Fort Covington and became prosperous farmers of Frank- lin County. There were eight children born to Samuel Henry, of whom Ralph Henry was the third in order of birth. The latter was married in 1848 to Miss Jane Short, the daughter of Amos Short of Fort Covington. To this union were born 12 children, of whom only four survive: 1. Charles W., a farmer, lives at Fort Covington. 2. Rebecca, married A. H. Jennings, a retired farmer, lives in St. Lawrence County. 3. Sarah, mar- ried A. H. Kingston, a farmer, lives at Brasher Falls, N. Y. 4. George Stanley, the subject of this sketch. Ralph Henry died in 1900 and his wife died in 1909. Both are buried in Fort Covington Cemetery.
The education of George Stanley Henry was received in the district schools and he also attended Fort Covington Academy. He taught school for eight years in Franklin County, and at the same time was also inter- ested in the creamery business. For a time he conducted a general mer- cantile business at Fort Covington. He was elected supervisor of the town of Fort Covington in 1885, and held that office for three years. He then became deputy inspector and collector of customs in 1889, in which ca- pacity he served for five years. Since 1892 Mr. Henry has been interested in the general insurance business. He became committee clerk of the New York General Assembly in 1902 and four years later was elected sheriff of Franklin County. While holding the latter office he was a resi- dent of Malone, but at the expiration of the term he returned to Fort Covington to resume his business interests. He was reappointed com- mittee clerk of the New York Assembly in 1914 and still holds that office. From 1926 until 1930 Mr. Henry also was elected commissioner of his district. He is justice of the peace and has been president of the local Board of Education for many years. He has also been a member of the Republican County Committee for more than 30 years. He is secretary- treasurer of the Fort Covington Cemetery Association.
In May, 1884, Mr. Henry married Miss Ada A. Frye, the daughter of Charles and Harriet Frye, of Fort Covington. Their children were: 1. Floyd, born Feb. 20, 1885, died at the age of five years. 2. Mary A., born in 1889, a graduate of Franklin Academy, and a teacher in the public schools of Malone and Fort Covington before her marriage to George W. Wilson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. 3. Harold, born in 1894, is associated with the Aluminum Company of America, at
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Massena, N. Y. 4. Laura H., born in 1898, a graduate of Fort Covington Academy, and a teacher for ten years before her marriage to David T. Urband. He is a veteran of the World War, and is manager of a summer hotel at Cayuga Lake, N. Y. Ada Frye Henry died in May, 1913, and is buried in Fort Covington Cemetery.
Mr. Henry holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, being a Knight Templar and a life member of Karnac Temple, Montreal.
Hollis Washington Merrick, D. D. S., retired, has enjoyed a wide and successful practice at Fort Covington, and is recognized as one of the community's most prominent citizens. He was born here March 16, 1846, the son of Irvin Anson and Lorinda (Wilson) Merrick.
Irvin Anson Merrick was born at Swanton, Vt., May 4, 1808, and the Merrick family is among the earliest families of New England. In 1636 four Merrick brothers came to America from Wales and settled at Charles- ton, Mass. It is from the oldest of these, William, that the Merricks of Fort Covington are descended. He was a man of prominence and influ- ence and served in the colonial militia for six years under Captain Miles Standish. Irvin A. Merrick was a mechanic, carpenter, and builder, and came to Fort Covington from Vermont in the early twenties. Through his industry and skill he materially aided in building the village of Fort Covington at that early date. He was married on Jan. 1, 1835, to Miss Lorinda Wilson, the daughter of Jonathan Wilson, a farmer of Fort Cov- ington. To this union were born nine children, of whom Hollis Washing- ton was the sixth in order of birth.
Hollis Washington Merrick attended the public schools of Fort Cov- ington and became interested in the study of dentistry after his gradua- tion from Fort Covington Academy. He studied in the office of Dr. George Crary, a leading dentist of Malone, and after a year established himself in practice at Chaumont. Six months later Dr. Merrick came to Fort Covington, Sept. 1, 1865, and throughout his long period of practice he has been numbered among Franklin County's leading dental surgeons.
On July 6, 1863, Dr. Merrick married Miss Harriet S. Cole, the daugh- ter of William N. Cole, of Jefferson County. They had two daughters: 1. Emma L., born March 6, 1865, a graduate of Potsdam Normal School, and a teacher in the high school at Madrid, N. Y., before her marriage to J. Horton Lockwood, of Madrid. She died in 1888. 2. Grace H., a graduate of Potsdam Normal School, is the widow of James R. Lockwood, a cousin of her sister's husband. He engaged in business at Burlington,
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Vt., for many years and was owner of the Majestic Theatre there. His widow resides with her parents at Fort Covington.
Dr. Merrick has always been a Republican. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have recently spent the winter months in Florida, and divide the remainder of the year at their home in Fort Covington and with their daughter at Lake Champlain.
Burt George Sweet .- One of the substantial citizens of Franklin County is Burt George Sweet, a prosperous merchant of Bombay. He was born there, Sept. 26, 1865, the son of Holden Stephen and Hulda (Eldred) Sweet.
Holden Stephen Sweet was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1829, his parents having removed there from Northern Vermont. While still an infant he was brought to New York by his family who settled at Bombay. Throughout his life Mr. Sweet was a farmer and building contractor. He died in 1906 and is buried in Bombay Cemetery. His wife died in 1904. They were the parents of the following children: 1. Loren C., who died in 1916. 2. Cora, married Samuel Hoag, of St. Lawrence County. 3. Lynus, deceased. 4. Burt G., the subject of this sketch. 5. Walton, born in 1867, died in infancy. 6. Frank, born in 1868, retired merchant, lives at Oneida, N. Y. 7. Clifford D., born in 1872, lives at Malone. 8. Gertrude A., born in 1874, married Horace A. Russell, lives at Bombay.
Burt George Sweet spent his early life on his father's farm and attended the district school. When 21 years of age he purchased a farm just north- west of Bombay which he still owns, it now being operated by his son, Roy. During his farming activities Mr. Sweet was especially interested in dairying, and usually owned as many as 30 pure bred Holstein cows. In 1910 Mr. Sweet became interested in the mercantile business at Bombay. A store, built by him in 1916, was destroyed by fire five years later, but was immediately rebuilt. He handles high grade merchandise and has a well established trade in the community.
On Nov. 29, 1888, Mr. Sweet was united in marriage with Miss Cath- erine Edith Parr, the daughter of Joel and Amanda (Jackson) Parr, of Brasher Falls, N. Y. Both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet are the parents of five children: 1. Roy Vilas, born Nov. 6, 1890, attended Caze- novia Seminary, now associated in business with his father, and for the past 20 years has lived on the family homestead. He has three sons: Burt J., Earl, and Robert. 2. M. Amanda, born Oct. 25, 1892, a graduate of Potsdam Normal College, and a teacher before her marriage to Burton A. Taylor, of Massena, N. Y. They have a daughter, Kitty Faith. 3.
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Ethel Hulda, born Aug. 12, 1895, was a teacher for eight years before her marriage to Howard Hudder, who is supervisor on the Shield Consoli- dated Farms. They live at Bombay. 4. Gladys Gertrude, born July 26, 1900, a graduate of Drake's Commercial School, East Orange, N. J., and engaged in secretarial work before her marriage to Paul D. Earl, who is sales manager of Shields Consolidated, Inc. They have a daughter, Bar- bara Jean. 5. Harold William, born May 3, 1903, attended Clarkson School of Technology, now associated in business with his father. He has a daughter, Betty Joan.
Mr. Sweet has always been a Republican. From 1905 until 1910 he served as justice of the peace and in 1927 was elected town clerk of Bom- bay, in which capacity he now serves. He has also been a member of the Board of Education.
Mr. Sweet and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been Sunday School superintendent and choir leader for many years. He holds membership in the Grange and is presi- dent of the local Dairymen's League.
Frank Hugh Cosgrove .- As mayor of Fort Covington, Frank Hugh Cosgrove has been prominently identified with the city's business and civic life for many years. He was born in Quebec, Canada, May 24, 1878, the son of Hugh and Mary Elizabeth (McKenna) Cosgrove.
Hugh Cosgrove was born in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Aug. 10, 1840. Throughout his life he was a farmer and when a young man removed to Quebec, where he remained until 1888. He then returned to the United States and settled at Fort Covington where he died in 1919. He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary Elizabeth McKenna, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Shane) McKenna, who were natives of Quebec. Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove were the parents of the following children: 1. William. 2. Bernard. 3. James. 4. Mary, married Joseph P. Smith. 5. Edward. 6. Catherine, the widow of Thomas McCaffery. 7. John. 8. Agnes, deceased. 9. Frank Hugh, the subject of this sketch.
The early boyhood of Frank Hugh Cosgrove was spent in Canada. He completed his schooling at Fort Covington Academy, after which he spent seven years in the employ of a creamery at Bombay, N. Y. He then took up the study of embalming in Boston, Mass., and returned to Fort Cov- ington after receiving a State certificate. Mr. Cosgrove has since suc- cessfully conducted a furniture and undertaking business at this place, and since 1925 has been Fort Covington's only funeral director.
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On Nov. 25, 1916, Mr. Cosgrove was united in marriage with Miss Mary Courtney, the daughter of James and Mary Courtney. He is deceased and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Fort Covington.
Mr. Cosgrove is a Democrat and has served as Fort Covington's capa- ble mayor since 1923. He is intensely interested in public improvements and has succeeded in making Fort Covington one of Northern New York's most attractive municipalities.
Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
George W. Wilson .- Among the prominent lumber dealers of Franklin County, Mr. Wilson is widely known, and he is a representative citizen of Fort Covington, where he has spent practically his entire life. He was born at Fort Covington, March 6, 1871, the son of Charles W. and Hannah (Griffin) Wilson.
Charles W. Wilson was born at Fort Covington, Feb. 4, 1847, and spent his entire life as a farmer. He died on Feb. 2, 1927, and is buried in Fort Covington Cemetery. He was the son of Seth B. Wilson, who was also a native of this place, born in 1820. His father, Jonathan Wilson, was born in northern Vermont, and came to New York with his parents when he was a small child, the family being among the first to settle in this section of New York.
Charles W. Wilson was married on May 10, 1870, to Miss Hannah Griffin, the daughter of Daniel Griffin, of Fort Covington. To them were born five children: 1. George W., the subject of this sketch. 2. Nellie, born March 24, 1874, a graduate of Potsdam Normal College, where she specialized in the study of music. She is the wife ofo Arthur N. Dowd, a civil engineer. They live in Cleveland, Ohio, and are the parents of three daughters. 3. Sherman, born in 1877, died in 1882. 4. Carrie, born in 1885, a graduate of Fort Covington Academy, married William Twaddle, lives at Burke, N. Y. 5. Catherine, born in 1887, a graduate of Fort Cov- ington Academy, married Wallace Mann, and lives at Ravenna, Ohio. They have two sons.
George W. Wilson received his education in the public schools of Fort Covington, and as a young man was associated in farming with his father. He later owned a fine farm of his own and for 30 years was recognized as one of the leading dairy farmers and stockmen of the North Country. He specialized in the breeding of Holstein cattle. Mr. Wilson disposed of his farm in 1919, and three years later acquired an interest in a lumber busi- ness at Fort Covington, in partnership with F. S. Hutchins. Since 1929 Mr. Wilson has been sole owner of the enterprise. Mr. Wilson has also
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held the office of supervisor of the town of Fort Covington for eight years. He held the office of first superintendent of highways in the town of Fort Covington for three years.
Mr. Wilson was married (first) in 1894 to Miss Elizabeth Kelly, who died on June 12, 1912. A daughter, Edna, born in 1897, is the wife of Frank Moore, of Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Wilson was married (second) on Aug. 2, 1916, to Miss Mary A. Henry, the daughter of George S. and Ada (Frye) Henry. A sketch of Mr. Henry appears elsewhere in this history.
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