USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 62
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 62
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 62
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 62
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 62
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Dewitt Clinton West, Sr., was born at Carthage, Feb. 14, 1824. He attended Watertown Academy and also studied at a French college in Montreal. For several terms he taught school after which he went to Mobile, Ala., where he was interested in the cotton business until 1848. He then returned to Carthage and until 1852 was associated in the general mercantile business there with William A. Peck. He was elected to the general assembly in 1852 and later was made chairman of the canal com- mittee. Mr. West was a Democrat. He married Miss Emma Helen Easton of Lowville, who was the daughter of Hon. Wm. L. Easton, one of the early settlers and distinguished men of Lewis County. After the close of his term in the legislature, Mr. West dissolved his business connections in Carthage and became associated in business at Lowville with Wm. L. Eas- ton, and his son, James H. Easton, under the firm name of West & Com- pany. This continued until 1873 when Mr. West retired. He was a dele- gate from this district to all of the Democratic national conventions, and in 1876 his friends sought him to accept the Democratic nomination for gov- ernor of New York, but he declined the nomination.
Mr. West was also interested in the development of the Utica and Black River railroad, connecting Utica on the Central and Hudson railroads through the Black River Valley with Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario, the Thousand Islands at Clayton, Morristown, and Ogdensburg on the St. Law- rence River. Before 1868 the Utica and Black River railroad had been constructed to Boonville, a distance of 35 miles, and the extension of these
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connections was promoted by Mr. West. He was elected director and sub- sequently in 1873 became president of that road. In 1879 the failure of his health compelled his retirement from the presidency of the company, but he continued as a director until his death, Aug. 27, 1880. In 1879 Mr. West had organized the Black River National Bank, of which he served as president. Emma Helen (Easton) West was born at Lowville and died July 22, 1917. Dewitt Clinton, Jr., was the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. West.
Dewitt Clinton West attended the public schools of Lewis County and for a year studied in New York City. He also spent a year in study abroad and was graduated from Yale University in 1899 with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts. During the following two years he attended the Law School of Columbia University. He began his business career in Denver, Colo., as manager of a mining machinery and electric railway supply house. He returned to Lowville in June, 1897, and for a time was interested in the lumber business. He went to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1903, where he spent four years in the general insurance business. He then purchased an elec- tric light plant at Beaver Dam, Wis., with which he was identified until 1917. Upon his return to Lowville he manufactured excelsior until 1921, at which time he became sales manager for the Asbestos Burial Casket Company. On Jan. 1, 1931, he was elected vice president of the company, which is one of the leading business enterprises of Lowville. The company was organized Oct. 13, 1885. Its officers are: George D. Jackson, presi- dent; Mr. West, vice president and secretary ; and R. R. Smiley, treasurer. Mr. West married Miss Emma H. Schleicher, of Cleveland.
Politically Mr. West is a Democrat. He is a member of the Fort Schuyler Club of Utica, Manhattan Club, Yale Club of New York City, Lowville Club, Carlowden Country Club, and Jefferson County Country Club. He has no lodge affiliations.
Rev. Joseph Ludger DesJardins, who is pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at Redwood, is prominent throughout Jefferson County. He was born at St. Rose, Quebec, Canada, Nov. 10, 1866, the son of Cyril and Eloise (Chartrand) Des Jardins.
Cyril Des Jardins and his wife were born at St. Lawrence, Quebec, and throughout his life he was interested in general farming and stock raising. He died in 1909 and his wife died March 17, 1917. They were members of St. Rose's Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Des Jardins were the parents of 17 children, of whom Rev. Joseph L. was the second in order of birth.
Joseph Ludger Des Jardins attended the public schools of St. Rose from which he was graduated in 1884. He received the degree of Bachelor of Science at St. Therese College in 1888, and was graduated from Grande
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Seminary, at Montreal, in 1891, being ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Fabre on December 19, 1891. He became assistant pastor of St. Bridget's Church in Montreal and soon after was transferred to St. Jerome's Church, near Montreal. Rev. Des Jardins was then sent to Pembrook, Ont., and in 1896 came to Keysville, N. Y., as assistant at St. John the Baptist Church. After four months in that capacity he became pastor of St. Bridget's Church at Trout River, N. Y. He subsequently served as pastor of St. Francis Church at Harrisville for nine years, after which he established the Lady of Victory Church at Plattsburg. He was located at Notre Dame Church, Ft. Covington, N. Y., St. Regis Church, at St. Regis Falls, and spent two years in travel in Western Canada before locating at Redwood, in October, 1926, as pastor of St. Francis Xavier's Church. Since 1927 Rev. Des Jardins has also been in charge of the Catholic Church at Theresa.
Father Des Jardins is identified with Carthage Council, Knights of Co- lumbus, and also holds membership in numerous church societies in Can- ada.
Frank Elbert Mason has long been recognized as one of the prominent automobile men of Franklin County, and has successfully engaged in busi- ness at Malone for a number of years. He was born at Burke, N. Y., April 13, 1854, the son of Nathan and Clarinda (Howell) Mason.
Nathan Mason was born at Schroon Lake, N. Y., in 1827, the son of Luther Mason. The latter was born at Chester, Mass., in 1800, and spent his entire life as a farmer. He removed to Burke, N. Y., about 1830. His son, Nathan, engaged in the mercantile business at Constable, N. Y. He was married in 1850 to Miss Clarinda Howell, the daughter of Silas Howell, of Burke. Their children were: 1. Marian, who died in 1879, was a teacher for 14 years in the public schools at Burke. 2. Frank E., the subject of this sketch. 3. Frederick H., born March 9, 1856, died Aug. 19, 1928, was a well known building contractor at Burke. 4. Willis L., born Jan. 19, 1858, re- tired, was for many years cashier of the First National Bank of Manches- ter, N. H. 5. Della, born in 1860, married Arthur Holbrooks, retired, lives at Manchester, N. H. 6. Florence, born in 1864, married a Mr. Hunter, lives at Brooklyn, N. Y. 7. Addie, born in 1866, the widow of Walter Thayer, lives at Washington, D. C. 8. Eva, born in 1868, died in May, 1929, was the wife of Daniel Consius, of Marlborough, Mass. Nathan Mason died in 1898, and his wife died in 1900.
Frank Elbert Mason was educated in the public schools of Burke, N. Y., and was interested in general farming until 1877, when he established a business at Burke, becoming well known as a manufacturer of wagons and sleighs. He conducted that business successfully for 22 years, and in 1899 removed to Malone where he formed a partnership with Frank P. Eldridge,
.
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and they engaged in the manufacture of wagons until 1910, at which time Mr. Eldridge died. Mr. Mason then acquired complete control of the busi- ness and was assisted in its management by his son, Ernest S. Mason. The firm name of Eldridge & Mason was retained however. Later Mr. Mason became interested in the automobile business and was Malone's first dealer. He has had the agency for eight different cars, and at the present time is local representative for the Dodge. The present fireproof building was erected by Mr. Mason in 1915.
On Aug. 19, 1876, Mr. Mason married Miss Philena Thayer, the daugh- ter of Smith Thayer, of Burton, N. Y. Before her marriage Mrs. Mason was a school teacher. She died in August, 1912, and is buried in Morningside Cemetery, Malone. To Mr. and Mrs. Mason was born a son, Ernest S., born in 1883. He is associated in business with his father at Malone, and also has the agency at Plattsburgh, N. Y. He is married and has the fol- lowing children: 1. William Eldridge, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, now identified with the Niagara-Hudson Corporation, lives at Syracuse. 2. Frederick E., a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1931. 3. Elizabeth.
Frank Elbert Mason is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Chamber of Commerce.
The Black River National Bank, of Lowville, was organized May 31, 1879, by the following business leaders of Lewis County: Dewitt C. West, Sr., Charles P. Leonard, Charles W. Pratt, Oscar F. Hadcock, Leonard C. Davenport, Farnam J. Bowen, George House, William L. Babcock, Ansel Foster, Daniel Whitaker, Alex R. Gebbie, and Hon. E. S. Merrell. The original officers were: Dewitt C. West, president; Charles P. Leonard, vice president; Frederick S. Eaton, cashier.
The bank opened for business on July 1, 1879, and became firmly estab- lished as the city's leading financial institution. It occupies the original site and in 1921, it was completely remodeled. During the first 12 months deposits totaled $62,522.09, and loans were $85,171.19. These totals mounted rapidly until June 1, 1929, at which total deposits reached $2,- 255,625.36, with a capital and surplus of $358,068.08. Frederick S. Easton remained as cashier from July 1, 1879, until June 29, 1894, and was presi- dent of the institution from June 29, 1904, to Jan. 8, 1929. The late George Sherwood remained as teller from the date of organization until June 29, 1904, and as cashier from 1904 until the time of his death, April 25, 1927. John Porter, present cashier, has been connected with the institution for over 27 years, and Roger G. Jones, who is assistant cashier, has been with the bank for 17 years.
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
-4-1000
OCT 99
Bound -To -Pleas® N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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