USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 3
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 3
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 3
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 3
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 3
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Rollin A. Newton attended the public schools of Stockholm and was graduated in 1896 from Brasher-Stockholm High School. He also attended Potsdam State Normal School one year and in 1900 received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Buffalo. He engaged in private practice for several months at Troy and has been located at Massena for more than 30 years.
In 1902 Dr. Newton married Miss Gertrude Erwin, of Massena, the daughter of Dewitt Clinton and Charlotte (Waterbury) Erwin. The for- mer was born at Waddington and died in 1921. His wife, a native of Massena, died March 11, 1930. The Waterbury family came to St. Law- rence County from New England during the early days, being among the first settlers of this section, where they became extensive land owners.
Dr. Newton has held the offices of village trustee and alderman, and in politics is a Republican. He holds membership in the Episcopal Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. He also belongs to the Citizens Club and the Massena Country Club.
Dr. Newton is especially interested in agriculture and is the owner of 1,000 acres of fine farm land in St. Lawrence County.
Thomas J. Fay .- Identified with Fay Motors, distributors of the Oak- land and Pontiac automobiles, Mr. Fay is recognized as one of the de- pendable young business men of Massena. He was born at Waddington, Dec. 4, 1900, the son of Edward L. and Julia E. (Sullivan) Fay.
Edward L. Fay is a native of Waddington and his wife was born in Ireland. He lived in Boston, Mass., for ten years but with the exception of that period has spent his life on a farm near Waddington. Mr. Fay is a Democrat and has been a member of the board of assessors during the past 24 years. He also has served as chairman of the county com-
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mittee. He is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. Four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fay: 1. Thomas J., the subject of this sketch. 2. Francis Edward, was killed in an automobile accident in 1919. 3. George, who is a member of the public service commission, lives at Waddington. 4. Edward J., insurance, lives at Waddington.
After his graduation from Waddington High School in 1918, Thomas J. Fay attended Watertown Business College in 1923, after having been identified with the Waddington Bank as assistant teller from 1919 until 1923. He then located in Watertown as a salesman for James, Inc., but in November, 1923, formed a partnership with F. D. Martin, under the name of Fay & Martin. They became agents for the Chevrolet and Olds- mobile cars. The business was removed to Massena in 1926, and at that time they became distributors of the Oakland and Pontiac automobile. It was in 1930 that Mr. Fay purchased his partner's interest. He is local dealer for Firestone tires, Delco batteries, International trucks, and the Sparton radio. His automobile repair shop is recognized as the best in Massena.
Mr. Fay was married in 1928 to Miss Ruth Barber, of Ogdensburg. A son, Francis Edward, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Fay on April 14, 1929.
Mr. Fay has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, B. P. O. Elks and Cham- ber of Commerce.
Frederick M. Hopson .- A leading citizen of St. Lawrence County, Mr. Hopson has been successful as a photographer at Massena for more than 35 years. He was born at Louisville, N. Y., May 16, 1872, the son of George H. and Elizabeth (Hitchcock) Hopson.
George H. Hopson, who died in 1901, was a native of Herkimer County. His wife was born in St. Lawrence County and died in 1920. Both are buried at Massena. Throughout his life Mr. Hopson engaged in general farming near Massena. He was a Republican and a member of the Uni- versalist Church. His wife held membership in the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hopson had two sons: 1. Frederick M., the subject of this sketch. 2. Norman L., lives at Massena.
Frederick M. Hopson received his education in the public schools of Massena and until 1894 was interested in farming. In that year he entered the studio of W. A. Moorehouse at Massena and the following year purchased the business which he has since successfully conducted. It is perhaps the oldest studio in the North Country and Mr. Hopson is widely known as a commercial photographer. He served as official photog-
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rapher for the St. Lawrence River Power Company for four years during the construction of their power plant. He has been in his present loca- tion since 1926.
On Oct. 1, 1899, Mr. Hopson was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Haggett, of Chase Mills, the daughter of Henry and Eunice (Durant) Haggett. Mr. Haggett died in 1927 at the age of 92 years and his wife died in 1917. Three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hopson: 1. Ethel, born March 11, 1891, married Harry J. Wilkes, lives at Massena. Their son, Frederick George, was born March 11, 1915, and died Sept. 27, 1925. 2. Dorothy, born Nov. 1, 1896, married N. E. Jarvis, lives at Mas- sena. They have had six children: Reginald, Leola, Jean Marie died in infancy, June, N. E., Jr., and Robert Harry. 3. Eunice, born Oct. 13, 1897, married Seth D. Noblett, lives at Massena. They have six children: Charles Hopson, Seth D., Jr., William Henry, Ruth Miriam, Frederick Martin, and Paul Kenneth.
Mr. Hopson is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Lodge and Massena Country Club. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree, and he is a charter member of the Maccabees.
Stuart D. Lansing .- In the death of Stuart D. Lansing on Sept. 3, 1927, the city of Watertown lost one of its most prominent business men and esteemed citizens. He was one of the founders of the Jefferson County Historical Society, of which he was president, and he was also president of the Bagley & Sewall Company at the time of his death.
Mr. Lansing was born in Watertown, Nov. 21, 1866, the son of Dr. Edward S. and Mary (Sherman) Lansing. When a small child his family removed to Burlington, N. J., where he received his early education. In 1884 he entered the University of Pennsylvania from which he was grad- uated in 1888 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was a member of Delta Phi fraternity and served as manager of the varsity baseball team. He was one of the organizers of the Pennsylvania Athletic Association, with which he was actively identified until his graduation.
After leaving college Mr. Lansing came to Watertown and entered the employ of the Bagley & Sewall Company as an office boy. At that time the company manufactured printing presses exclusively, but in 1888 had begun the manufacture of paper mill machinery, and since that time has developed into one of the largest paper mill machine manufacturing com- panies in the world. Mr. Lansing was elected secretary of the company in 1897, and continued in that capacity until 1913, when he was elected vice president. On May 25, 1915, he became president. Under his direction
Stuart Stacking
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the company prospered. He was recognized as one of the hardest work- ing business men in this city. He seldom took a vacation and could al- ways be found busy at the plant. He was well liked by the employes and was a capable executive.
Mr. Lansing devoted much time to the study of the history of Jeffer- son County and as a result of this interest he became president of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Dec. 4, 1922, which office he held until his death.
For many years Mr. Lansing was interested in the Crescent Yacht Club, and during 1914-15 served as its commodore. He was also a mem- ber of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club of Toronto, and did much to pro- mote international races between this and other Canadian clubs, and the Crescent and American yacht clubs. He belonged to the Black River Valley Club. He was a member of the Engineers Club of New York City, the Fortnightly Club of Watertown, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper industry, the Watertown Chamber of Commerce, and a number of other organizations. He was president of the Watertown Board of Education from 1916-17, and his term of office as a member of the board expired Dec. 31, 1919. He was elected president of the Jefferson County National Bank in 1924. He later resigned and was made president of the board of directors of that institution and served in that capacity until his death.
Mr. Lansing was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and was one of the wardens of that church. He was elected as a delegate several times from the diocese of Central New York to the General Conventions of the Episcopal Church.
In 1894 Mr. Lansing married Miss Carrie Sherman Bagley, the daugh- ter of George A. and Sabine (Clark) Bagley. Their children are: Edward S., TenEyck, Mrs. Sabine Fullinwider and Stuart D., Jr., deceased.
Napoleon E. Santamour is among the progressive business men of Massena, where he is the proprietor of Napp's Garage. He was born at Benson Mines, St. Lawrence County, Nov. 26, 1891, the son of Emery and Cordelia (Brothers) Santamour.
Emery Santamour was a native of Canada. He was a millwright by trade and spent many years at that work in Norwood, N. Y. He died in 1893 and his wife died in 1902. Both are buried at Benson Mines. They were the parents of four children: 1. Mrs. Peter Dishaw, lives at Syra- cuse. 2. Mrs. Edward Kelty, lives at Iroquois Falls, Canada. 3. Napoleon E., the subject of this sketch. 4. Mrs. Harry Anderson, lives at Marcellus,
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N. Y. Cordelia (Brothers) Santamour was married (second) to Peter Santamour, brother of her first husband. To this marriage were born three children: 1. Mrs. Homer Gauthier, lives at Cold Brook, N. Y. 2. Mrs. Ellis Ducey, lives at East Hampton, Mass. 3. Emery, lives at Carthage.
Napoleon E. Santamour attended the public schools of Benson Mills but at the age of ten years he was sent to an orphanage at Watertown where he remained for six years. He was employed for a time by Roth & Sanders, and then went to Norfolk, N. Y. He later returned to Benson Mills, and in 1909 took a correspondence course in automobile mechanics while a resident of Sackets Harbor. He then was located at Carthage for a time in the employ of Leonard Cole and he also conducted a taxicab business there for a short time. In 1913 he again went to Benson Mills and three years later took over the management of a hotel at Star Lake, N. Y. On July 15, 1917, Mr. Santamour enlisted in the U. S. Navy for service in the World War and was sent to Philadelphia and assigned to the U. S. S. Minnesota, on which he served until Jan. 21, 1919. After his discharge Mr. Santamour came to Massena, where he was employed until May 1, 1923, by the Payment Motor Sales Company as a mechanic. In the latter year he established a garage business of his own, and since 1929 has had the local agency for the Graham Paige automobile. He operates a first class repair shop and is an expert mechanic.
Mr. Santamour is a member of the American Legion, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is unmarried.
Leslie C. Sutton .- As editor and owner of the Massena Observer, which was founded by him in 1891, Mr. Sutton ranks among the leading news- paper men of the North Country. He was born at Norfolk, May 2, 1867, the son of Albert and Elizabeth (Shoen) Sutton.
Albert Sutton, deceased, was a native of Franklin County and his wife was born in St. Lawrence County. He served throughout the Civil War as a member of Company G, 60th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, and held mem- bership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. Throughout his entire life Mr. Sutton was interested in general farming. Both he and his wife are buried at Massena. They had two children: 1. Leslie C., the subject of this sketch. 2. Ida, who died in 1892.
Leslie C. Sutton is a graduate of Massena High School and attended St. Lawrence University, class of 1891. He taught school until 1891 and in that year established the Massena Observer. Almost immediately it
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had built up a subscription list of a thousand, and today has a circulation of 3,000. It ranks among the finest weekly publications in Northern New York. Mr. Sutton is a member of the New York Press Association.
On June 25, 1894, Mr. Sutton married Miss Sarah E. Snaith, of Mas- sena, the daughter of George A. and Sarah (Chambers) Snaith. Both were natives of England and are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Sutton were born four children: 1. Harold Snaith, born in 1895, a graduate of St. Lawrence University. He served throughout the World War as a lieu- tenant and is now assistant secretary in the New York office of the Niagara-Hudson Power Company, and St. Regis Paper Company. He was married in 1919 to Miss Adelaide Jamieson, of Canton, N. Y. 2. Katherine E., born in 1897, a graduate of St. Lawrence University, married in 1925, to Edwin J. Appel, of Rochester. They live at Massena and have a son, Richard W., born in 1927. 3. Paul A., born in 1900, lives at Massena. He married Miss Bertha Morgan of Geneva, N. Y., and they have three chil- dren: Anne, born in 1928; Charles, born in 1929; John Paul, born in 1931; 4. Margaret I., born in 1909, a graduate of St. Lawrence University, is a teacher.
Politically Mr. Sutton is a Republican. He has been a member of the local school board for nine years and is interested in all civic affairs in the community. He is an active communicant and warden of the Epis- copal Church and belongs to the various Masonic bodies and Media Temple, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also is a member of the Citizens Club, Massena Country Club, Stillwater Club, and Chamber of Commerce.
Frank L. Murphy .- A veteran of the World War and one of Wadding- ton's most successful young business men, Mr. Murphy is also widely known as the capable mayor of Waddington. He was born here, Feb. 2, 1892, the son of Michael D. and Mary A. (Gorman) Murphy.
Michael D. Murphy is a native of Ireland and at the age of three years came to this country with his parents and settled at Waddington. He has been well known in this community for many years as a successful building contractor. Mr. Murphy is a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of road commissioner. He and his wife held membership in the Catholic Church. She died Dec. 12, 1928, and is buried at Waddington. Their children are: 1. Will, lives at Phoenix, Ariz. 2. Elizabeth, married George Hunter, lives at Woodbridge, N. J. 3. Frank L., the subject of this sketch. 4. Leonard, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this his- tory. 5. Mary, a graduate nurse, lives at Schenectady, N. Y. 6. Louise, a teacher in Waddington High School.
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Frank L. Murphy has always lived in Waddington. After completing his schooling he was employed by an undertaking firm here for eight years. In May, 1918, he enlisted for service in the World War and was sent to Camp Dix, N. J. Three months later he sailed for overseas duty in France as a member of the 344th Field Artillery, 90th Division. He was also with the Army of Occupation in Germany for six months. He was discharged at Camp Dix in July, 1919. The following year was spent in farming and on Jan. 1, 1921, Mr. Murphy, in partnership with his brother Leonard, organized the Murphy Brothers St. Lawrence Garage. They have since been local distributors for the Ford Motor Company. In 1926 the brothers purchased a 325 acre farm, which is known as Fair Ground Farm. Each 4th of July horse races are run there and it is one of the fine tracks in this section of Northern New York. The brothers have four race horses : Peter Sullivan, Waddington Boy, Amanda Gratton, and Queen Bond. They also have 75 head of fine Holstein cattle on their farm. They have a summer camp on Goose Neck Island, St. Lawrence River.
Mr. Murphy has held the office of mayor of Waddington since 1930. During his administration he has succeeded in completing a new water and sewer system in the village at a cost of $95,000.
Mr. Murphy is affiliated with B. P. O. Elks, Ogdensburg; Knights of Columbus, Norwood; and Waddington Chamber of Commerce.
Leonard Murphy .- One of the well known business men of Waddington is Leonard Murphy, who is associated with Murphy Bros. St. Lawrence Garage, and he is a veteran of the World War. He was born in this city in 1899, the son of Michael D. and Mary A. (Gorman) Murphy.
A sketch of Michael D. Murphy appears in this history.
Leonard Murphy received his education in the public schools of Wad- dington and attended Albany Business College. Until 1917 he was inter- ested in the trucking and transfer business, and in 1917 he entered the World War. He went to France in May, 1918, with the 301st Engineers. He saw much active service at the front and was discharged at Camp Devon, Mass., in May, 1919. Since 1921 he has been associated in busi- ness with his brother, Frank L. Murphy, and they are agents for the Ford Motor Company.
In 1919 Mr. Murphy married Miss Catherine Ricalton, of Waddington. Her father was a teacher in early life and was later identified with the interests of Thomas Edison. In the interest of one of Mr. Edison's experiments a trip was made to Africa by Mr. Ricalton.
Mr. Murphy belongs to the American Legion.
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Fred A. Sweet, M. D .- Among the most outstanding citizens and suc- cessful professional men of St. Lawrence County none is better known than Doctor Sweet, who has engaged in the practice of medicine at Wad- dington for the past 42 years. He is a native of New York, born at Madrid, July 8, 1862, the son of Henry O. and Harriet (Hoyt) Sweet.
Henry O. Sweet was a native of Vermont. At the age of 21 years he came to New York and settled on a farm near Madrid. He was a Republi- can and for eight years held the office of town supervisor of Madrid. His wife was born at Wolf Island on the St. Lawrence River and died in 1906. Both are buried at Madrid. They were members of the Congregational Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweet were born two sons: 1. Fred A., the subject of this sketch. 2. Herbert E., lives at Massena. 1128217
Fred A. Sweet attended the public schools of Madrid and received the degree of Bachelor of Science at St. Lawrence University. He was gradu- ated in the College of Medicine, New York University in 1887, and spent two years in practice at Antwerp and Pierrepont before locating at Wad- dington in 1889. He has held the office of Health Director for many years and has also been School Board member and president of the Library Board. Dr. Sweet was one of the founders of the Waddington Bank in 1918 and became its first president.
In 1888 Dr. Sweet was united in marriage with Miss Emma Waite of Antwerp, the daughter of Allan and Marie (Ellis) Waite. The former died in 1907 and the latter in 1911. They were natives of New York and are buried at Antwerp. To Doctor and Mrs. Sweet were born seven sons: 1. Arthur, born in 1890, died in 1895. 2. Fred Albert, Jr., born Sept 8, 1891. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at St. Lawrence Univer- sity in 1912, and spent the following two years as a professional baseball player. He was a member of the Western League. He is now a farmer and lives near Waddington. He was married in 1914 to Miss Adelaide Wil- son, and they have six children: Henry O .; Wilson W .; Shirley A .; Phyllis Ann, deceased; Harley A .; and a son died in infancy. 3. Allan W., born in 1892, lives at Waddington. He is a graduate of Waddington High School and Poughkeepsie Business College. He married Miss Lucy Gray, and they have three children: Barbara, Arthur F., and Fay. 4. Lawrence, who died in infancy. 5. Henry O., born in 1897, died in 1905. 6. John W., born in 1898, a graduate of Potsdam Normal School and St. Lawrence University. He received the degree of Master of Arts in 1931 and is fourth supervisory district superintendent of St. Lawrence County. He married Anna Corcoran, and they have three children: Marjorie, Robert, and Mary. 7. Edward G., born in 1904, died in 1930. He was a graduate of Waddington High School and Potsdam Normal School. He taught school at Canton and Sackets Harbor, and was teaching at Ogdensburg at
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the time of his death. He was married to Miss Julia Roach, of Potsdam. Dr. Sweet is a Republican and has held the office of town supervisor for 19 years.
Thomas S. Bushnell, mayor of Massena, has had a colorful military career, having served in France during the World War, and he is promi- nent in the affairs of the American Legion in St. Lawrence County. He was born at Palmyra, Wayne County, Dec. 21, 1889, the son of Patrick and Alice (White) Bushnell.
Patrick Bushnell, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born at Palmyra and as a young man enlisted in Company H, 109th New York Volunteer Infantry. He served throughout the war and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. For several years Mr. Bushnell lived at Utica, where he was a member of the first vounteer fire department and later returned to Palmyra, where he died April 17, 1931, at the age of 86 years. His wife died April 17, 1892. Their children were: 1. William, lives at Detroit, Mich. 2. Hazel Ann, who died in 1904, at the age of 15 years. 3. Thomas S., the subject of this sketch. 4. James, lives at St. Louis, Mo.
Thomas S. Bushnell received his education in the public schools of Palmyra. He studied civil engineering and was identified with the engi- neering department of the New York State Barge Canal from 1907 until 1909. He then followed his profession independently until 1914, at which time he came to Massena and became associated with the engineering de- partment of the St. Lawrence River Power Company in their dredging operations. At the outbreak of the World War he enlisted and was sent to Liverpool, England, being attached to the British Army. He served as a member of Company D, 303rd Engineers, with the rank of sergeant, and saw active service in the battle of St. Mihiel and the Argonne drive. Dur- ing the latter he spent six successive nights in "No Man's Land." After 14 months of service in France he returned to the United States and was discharged at Camp Dix, N. J., June 12, 1919.
In 1919 Mr. Bushnell was a member of the original county committee of the American Legion and again served in that capacity in 1930. He was the first adjutant of the Massena Legion and was commander of the Post from 1920 until 1924. He also was county commander in 1925 and district commander during 1926. He attended the Legion convention as state delegate at New Orleans, La., in 1923, and again at the Paris con- vention in 1927. Mr. Bushnell is also a member of the 78th Division Asso- ciation of New York City and in 1926 was one of the founders of the 40 and 8 Society at Canton.
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On May 31, 1917, Mr. Bushnell was united in marriage with Miss Emily E. Britton, of Massena, the daughter of George E. and Hannah G. (Green) Britton. They are natives of Massena and are residents of St. Lawrence County. Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell have no children.
Mr. Bushnell is a Democrat in politics and was elected to the office of mayor of Massena in 1931. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and he belongs to the Citizens Club and Massena Country Club. He is vice president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Robert Thompson, Sr., retired, is a representative and highly esteemed citizen of Waddington, where he engaged in business for a period of 58 years. He was born at Brockville, Ont., March 8, 1845, the son of John and Mary (Ross) Thompson.
John Thompson was a native of Scotland and his wife was born in Ireland. He settled in Canada in 1836 and later purchased a farm near Matilda, Ont., where he died in 1881. His wife died in 1890. Both are buried at Matilda. Their children were: 1. John, who died in 1880. 2. Robert, the subject of this sketch. 3. William J., who died in 1913. 4. Hugh, lives in California. 5. George, who died in 1930. 6. David, who died in 1908. 7. Sidney, lives at Matilda. 8. James, who died in 1929. 9. Edward, lives at Dixon Corners, Ont.
The boyhood of Robert Thompson was spent at Matilda, where he remained until he was 15 years of age. From 1861 until 1865 he was employed as a drug clerk at Iroquois, Ont., and the following year he was located in New York City as a clerk in the dry goods store of Morris Rosendorff. Later he returned to Iroquois, but in 1869 went to Iowa. Subsequently he went to San Francisco, and after a year returned to Matilda. Mr. Thompson came to Waddington in February, 1870, and in that year became a member of the firm of Dezell & Thompson, dry goods merchants. The partnership continued until 1874, when Mr. Dezell died. Mr. Thompson immediately opened a store of his own and was successfully identified with this enterprise until his retirement on July 1, 1928. He then disposed of his interests to his grandson, Robert Thompson, III, who is a member of the firm of Thompson & Son.
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