USA > New York > Washington County > Washington county, New York; its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 70
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Eliza Ann Smalley, was born in Steventown, April 18, 1808. His great-grandfather, Philip Laraway, was born on the Island of Jersey, England, December 20, 1757. His great-grandmother, Ruth Smalley, was born in Connecticut, September 16, 1764. Mr. Laraway's great- great-grandfather was Elias Laraway, date and place of his birth unknown, but he was undoubtedly English, as his son Philip was born on the Island of Jersey.
HON. JOHN J. MORGAN .- Although a young man and a Democrat, Hon. John J. Morgan has attained the position of one of the best known and most popular public men in this strongly Republican county.
He was born at Fort Edward and was educated in the Union School of his native place and at Island Grove Seminary. He began the active duties of life as Deputy Postmaster at Fort Edward, under J. H. Harris, and retained this position for five years. He then became Deputy County Clerk at Argyle, under C. W. Taylor, but at the end of six months returned to Fort Edward to accept a position in the First National Bank. This was in 1887, and he has remained with the bank ever since.
When it is stated that Mr. Morgan has been a candidate for office twelve different times and has never been defeated, the opening par- agraph of this article will be thoroughly understood and appreciated. He served as Treasurer of the village of Fort Edward for eight con- secutive years and had a contest for the office every year. He was President of the village in 1896, and was elected by a large majority, although he was the youngest man ever elected to the office, and was a Democrat, while the village is Republican. He was re-elected in 1897 by an increased majority, and then, voluntarily relinquished the office. In March, 1899. he was elected Supervisor of the town of Fort Edward for a term of two years by a majority of 204, although the town is nominally Republican by 350, and was speedily made a mem- ber of the Equalization Committee.
Although always an ardent Democrat, Mr. Morgan is not an offen- sive partisan, which in a great measure explains his popularity, but besides this he is broad-minded and progressive, quick to see the right side of every question, and possessed of the force of character and
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ability to maintain and sustain the right. Then, too, he takes a warm personal interest in all public affairs, and is treasurer of the Tri- County Firemen's Association (including Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties), and was Chairman of their local Executive Com- mittee when the convention was held at Fort Edward, July 4, 1899.
He has been an active member of the Satterlee Hose Company for seventeen years, and has been its President for a number of years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Odd Fellows, also of the Fort Edward Club; and is treasurer and vestryman of the St. James' Episcopal Church, having held the latter office for many years. He is at present one of the directors of the new Empire Theatre, at Glens Falls.
Mr. Morgan's parents were Edward P. and Rebecca (Hunter) Mor- gan, both of whom are deceased.
Mr. Morgan is strictly a self-made man, and all his success has been achieved entirely by his own unaided efforts and ability.
DR. ISAAC THOMPSON MONROE .- The subject of this sketch was born January 11, 1843, at South Granville, Washington County, N. Y. His parents were Isaac Monroe, M. D., and Mary (Thompson) Monroe, daughter of Cephas Thompson, of South Granville.
Isaac Thompson Monroe received his literary education at the com- mon schools and Troy Conference Academy, at Poultney, Vt. He then studied medicine with his father for one year, after which he studied with Prof. Armsby, of the Albany Medical College, for one year. Next he attended the Albany Medical College, and while there was resident physician of Albany City Hospital one year. He grad- uated from the Albany Medical College December 24, 1866, and began the active practice of his profession at West Pawlet, Vt., and suc- ceeded his brother, Dr. R. G. Monroe, who died two years afterwards. He remained six years in West Pawlet, when he came to Granville in 1873, where he still resides, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. He is the oldest practitioner in Granville, and has been Health Officer and also member of the Board of Health for many years He is a member of the Washington County Medical Society and also of the Masonic fraternity, Granville Lodge No. 55. F. & A. M.
When residing at West Pawlet he was Superintendent of Schools
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during the years 1871-72, a position which corresponds with School Commissioner in New York State.
Dr. Monroe has made surgery a specialty. Owing to the very frequent accidents in the slate quarries, he has had a very large experience in surgical work and has performed many different and difficult surgical operations during the last fifteen years. He has contributed several valuable articles to Medical Journals, most of which treat of specialties in surgery.
In 1873 Dr. Monroe married Ada J. Burch, daughter of Benjamin and Caroline (Douglass) Burch of Hebron, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Edna Monroe.
Dr. Monroe's father, Isaac Monroe, practiced medicine forty-five years in South Granville. He had two brothers, who were physicians, namely, Dr. Henry C. Monroe, who is now practicing in Sandy Hill, N. Y., and Dr. R. G. Monroe, who, after a brief but bril- liant career, died in 1868.
They trace their ancestry to Dr. Alexander Monroe of Edinburghı, Scotland, who was connected with Edinburgh University for many years.
James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, was supposed to be connected with this family.
The Monroes originally came from Scotland and settled in Massa- chusetts in the early history of this country.
Mrs. Monroe's father and mother were of English descent.
Dr. Monroe had two uncles who were physicians, viz .: Dr. Hiram Monroe, who, after a few years practice died, and Dr. Nelson Monroe who practiced medicine in Whitehall for 28 years, and in New York about eight years, also about fourteen or fifteen years in Troy, where he practiced until the time of his death, in 1886.
REV. THOMAS M. McLOGHLIN, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Angels, Whitehall, N. Y., is a native of Cortland County, N. Y., and received his early education in the Homer Academy, N. Y., from which he was graduated in June, 1870. In September of the same year he entered Mount St. Mary's College at Emmettsburgh, Mary- land, from which he was graduated in June, 1873. He then entered upon a course of theological studies, which he pursued for four years
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and was ordained at St. Joseph's Seminary, Troy, N. Y., December, 1877. Immediately after being ordained he was appointed curate at Cortland, N. Y., where his uncle, Very Rev. B. F. McLoghlin was pastor and remained there seven years, when he was promoted to pastor of the Catholic church at Philmont, Columbia County, N. Y. This was in October, 1884, and Father McLoghlin remained until March, 1893, when he was appointed pastor of his present church at Whitehall, N. Y., where he has remained ever since. The church has prospered exceedingly under his pastorate. The membership of the church comprises about two hundred families, one thousand souls.
The church was established by Right Rev. J. J. Conroy, D. D., January 22, 1868, who was then Bishop of Albany. Rev. J. J. McDonnell was the first pastor in charge and was succeeded by Rev. James Maney in July, 1892. He remained until his death, February 10, 1893, when Father McLoghlin was appointed.
Previous to 1868 the church was both French and English, but was divided in that year.
WILLIAM MCFARLAND, son of James A. McFarland and Mary E. Proudfit, was born in Salem, N. Y., March 4th, 1833. His early life, in fact, most of his life was spent in Salem. He attended school in the Old White School House, afterwards in the Academy, and began work in the old corner store at the age of about eighteen, where he spent most of his time till 1893. He was married June 25th, 1873, to Margaret R. McFarland, to whom one daughter, Margaret, was born April 22, 1874. His wife, Margaret R. McFarland, died February 15, 1888.
He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of which church he has served about forty-two years as Trustee, and Treasurer for about thirty-five years. In politics he has generally acted with the Republican party, holding the office of Supervisor of the town for two terms, of Town Clerk five terms, serving as Superintendent of the Poor of Washington County, a term of three years. Also, Trustee of the village of Salem for a number of years, and, at this writing, is one of the Trustees of Washington Academy; he is also a Trustee of the Evergreen Cemetery Association and a member of the Executive Committee.
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He was one of the Directors, and also Vice-President of the National Bank of Salem, and, at this writing, is one of the Directors of the First National Bank of Salem, and also its Vice-President
Mr. McFarland has always been a strong supporter of the Fire Department, being a member and Treasurer of the Union Engine Company for the last thirty years, and he has always been interested in the general welfare of Salem.
His paternal grandfather was a native of Belfast, Ireland. His mother's ancestors were among Salem's earliest and most highly esteemed settlers.
JAMES MOCK was born in Canada March 2, 1832. His parents were Joseph and Sarah Mock. Mr. Mock came to the United States in his early youth and was educated in the schools of Essex County, N. Y. After leaving school he learned the trade of carpenter, which he has followed all his life.
Mr. Mock married Chloe A. Weatherwax, daughter of Andreas and Sarah Weatherwax. They have two children, Jeanette and Hattie.
Mr. Mock's ancestors were Germans, who came to America at an early date.
He served in the latter part of the Civil War, receiving at its close an honorable discharge.
He is a member of Post Mills, G. A. R., of Fort Edward, N. Y.
HARVEY McKERCHER was born in South Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., March 4, 1862, and was educated in the South Argyle District school. He worked on the farm with his father until the death of the latter in 1875, after which he continued in the same occupation on his own account. In November 1890, Mr. McKercher married Anna Perry of South Argyle, and they have a family of four children, namely: Mabel, Bertha, Lottie and Ella.
Mr: McKercher's parents were John and Katharine (Bell) McKer- cher. John McKercher was born in the town of Argyle in 1807 and was a son of Daniel. McKercher, who was one of the pioneers in the town of Argyle.
Mr. McKercher is living on the old home place, where he was born and always lived.
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JOHN J. MILLER was born in the town of Fort Edward. Washington County, N. Y., February 16, 1862, and was educated at a district school in Argyle. He has followed the occupation of farming all his life and worked with his father on the farm from his boyhood days until he was twenty-six years of age, when he went into this business on his own account. On January 25, 1888, Mr. Miller married Mar- garet J. Bain of Argyle, and they have two children, namely: Law- rence W. and Willard J.
Mr. Miller's parents were Joseph and Mary E. (Rice) Miller. Joseph Miller was a native of the town of Fort Edward and his father, Joseph Miller, was a native of Ireland. John J. Miller has two brothers, William E. Miller and Fred Miller.
Mrs. Miller is one of a family of three children and is a native of the town of Argyle. Her parents were William and Eliza (Irwin) Bain.
Joseph Miller was born April 1, 1820, and followed farming in the town of Fort Edward all his life, excepting a period of over two years when he was a soldier in the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion from 1863 to 1865.
ROBERT C. MCEACHRON was born in the town of Argyle, Washing- ton County, N. Y., April 22, 1838, but was educated in the town of Hebron, this county. In 1861 he went west to Illinois, and in 1862 enlisted as a Union soldier and served until the close of the war. He returned to Argyle in the year 1877, and took up the occupation of farming, which he has since pursued. Mr. McEachron has been Supervisor of the town of Argyle and is a member of G. A. R. Post No. 370. In 1866 Mr. McEachron married Margaret McEachron of Argyle and they have a family of three children, namely : Mary E., Jennie A. and Reuben S., deceased. Mr. McEachron's parents were James M. and Sarah (Morrison) McEachron. Mr. McEachron's grand- father was Peter McEachron, who was one of the early settlers of Washington County. He was captain of Washington County militia and also held the position of deacon of the South Argyle United Pres- byterian Church for many years. He was familiarly known as Captain Peter and is one of the historic figures of the county.
Mr. McEachron had a brother, James A., who was also a member of the same regiment and died in the service at Harper's Ferry.
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WASHINGTON COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
MARTIN MCHUGH was born in the town of Jackson, Washington County, N. Y., April 22, 1865, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Lyons) McHugh.
He lived with his father until 1886, working upon the farm, and in 1887, he began farming on his own account, which occupation he has since pursued.
On June 9, 1886, Martin McHugh married Anna, daughter of Edward and Margaret (Corland) Mulligan. Their children are Mary, born October 14, 1888, Henry, born September 4, 1891, and Maggie, born January 1, 1893.
Mr. McHugh is one of a family of seven children and his wife one of a family of three children.
In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of Easton's prosperous and respected citizens.
JOHN MCCARTY was born in the town of Jackson, Washington County, N. Y., December 11, 1868, and has pursued the occupation of farming all his life.
On February 12, 1896, Mr. McCarty married Nellie McHugh, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Lyons) McHugh. They have three children, namely: Helen, born August 15, 1897, John J., born Sep- tember 14, 1898, and Martin, born November 28, 1899.
John McCarty's parents were Owen and Bridget (Cooney) McCarty, both of whom were natives of Ireland.
His father came to America in 1840 and settled in New York, from which place he went to Saratoga and later moved into Jackson, where he settled permanently. His wife, Bridget Cooney, came to America in 1836, and settled in the town of Jackson.
John McCarty is one of a family of five children. He has two brothers, James and Charles, and two sisters, namely: Mary, wife of John McMurray, and Kate, wife of Ralph Weir.
Mr. McCarty is one of the leading Democrats of the town of Jack- son, and has always taken an active part in public affairs and public advancement. He is a member of the Democratic County Committee and one of its most zealous workers.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
GEORGE S. MAXWELL was born in the town of Jackson, Washington County, N. Y .. June 26, 1831. He was educated in the common schools and at the Academy at Poultney, Vt.
He was reared on a farm and has followed the occupation of farming all his life. He spent the years from 1857 to 1862 in Pleasant Valley Township, Johnson County, Iowa, and in 1862 he enlisted in the 22d Iowa Regiment, in which he served from 1862 until 1865, or the close of the war. In 1865 he returned to Jackson, where he has since resided.
On December 27, 1854, George S. Maxwell married Margaret Tel- ford, and they have a family of eight children, namely: George I., Mary, WilliamJ., Elizabeth, Anna Belle, Robert, David and Charles.
Mr. Maxwell's parents were George I. and Elizabeth (Small) Max- well. His grandparents were John and Janet (McFarland) Maxwell. His people came from Scotland, about the year 1787, and settled north of Cambridge, six miles in the forest. The farm which they then took up is owned by a descendant, and continues in the Maxwell name.
WILLIAM MOOR, one of the representative agriculturists of the town of Jackson, was born in this town January 31, 1830. He was reared on a farm and has followed the occupation of farming all his life, receiving such education as the schools of those early days afforded.
On July 4, 1854, William Moor married Sarah J. Hatch, daughter of Solomon and Mary (Archer) Hatch. Mr. Moor's parents were Pascal B. and Mary (Dobbins) Moor.
Mr. Moor is a prosperous but unassuming gentleman, who is highly respected by all who know him.
He has served as road commissioner in his town for the last eleven years, and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church.
JOHN J. MANVILLE. Vice-President of the Merchants National Bank, at Whitehall, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Lake Champlain Coal Company, is a son of Murray and Asenath (Scarls) Manville, and was born in the town of Whitehall, Washington County, N. Y. He
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received his early education in the public schools of his native town, and afterwards took a special course at the Albany Business College. He then entered the service of the Whitehall Transportation Com- pany in 1870, which was subsequently merged in the New York and Lake Champlain Transportation Company, and later became the Lake Champlain Towing Company. His first duties with this company were in the capacity of a clerk, and he. was advanced, from time to time, until he is now Cashier and Shipper of the Lake Champlain Towing Company, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Lake Champlain · Coal Company. Aside from his interests in the above named concerns he was elected Vice-President of the Merchants National Bank in January, 1897.
Mr. Manville is a member of Whitehall Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F., and Whitehall Encampment No. 69, I. O. O. F.
In September, 1878, John J. Manville married Ida, daughter of James A. and Eliza (Wilson) Hoyt, and they have four children, namely: Maud, Albert, Elsie and Hazel.
Mr. Manville is a thorough business man, who devotes all his time to the various interests in his charge.
ROBERT MCDOWELL was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Decem- ber 23, 1839. His parents were John and Rose (Kernohan) McDowell, and were of Scotch-Irish lineage. His mother is still living on the old homestead in Ireland, having reached the advanced age of ninety- two years, in the full possession of her faculties.
Robert McDowell came to America in 1857, and established himself on a farm near Salem, N. Y., where he went into the cultivation and raising of flax. His activities, however, soon extended beyond the limits of his farm, and in 1868 he became a commission merchant, dealing extensively in potatoes, butter and cheese.
In 1889 he was appointed Superintendent of laborers at the State Capitol, in Albany, and continued in that capacity until the completion of the Capitol in 1899. He is now living in Salem, where he buys large quantities of potatoes for shipment to New York, Boston and Philadelphia.
Mr. McDowell is a staunch Republican, but has never allowed his name to be used by his party for public office.
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On June 6, 1856, Robert McDowell married Elizabeth Reyne, and they have had four children, only two of whom are now living. namely: John A., born in 1859, and Libbie, born in 1863.
HOMER B. MARTIN is a son of Horace B. and Mary E. (Hughes) Martin, and was born at Grand Isle, Vermont, in September, 1857. When he was one year old his parents removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where they resided for two years, then going to Trenton, N. J., where they remained one and one-half years, then to Jersey City, N. J., where they remained two years. In 1868 they finally settled in Whitehall. Mr. Martin's father was a boat builder in Whitehall and followed this occupation until his death. Homer B. Martin's first business experience was as a clerk for H. B. Skeels, in whose employ he remained for three years, after which he was employed as cabin boy on a steamer and rose to the position of assistant pilot, serving six scasons in all. He then accepted a position as clerk for A. M. Bur- dett, where he worked three years, after which he formed a partner- ship with E. M. Skeels, under the firm name of Skeels & Martin in the meat business. This firm continued in business for seven years, when Mr. Martin sold out his interest and opened a grocery and mar- ket on his own account, establishing the business which he has since conducted so successfully. He is also a dealer in grain, hay, etc.
In December, 1882, Mr. Martin married Clarissa A., daughter of Harvey and Hanna (McFarren) Bartholomew. They have three chil- dren, namely: Homer, Harvey B., and Stella G. Mr. Martin is a member of Tancred Lodge, No. 69 Knights of Pythias, Whitehall Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., and also of the Canton. He takes a lively interest in public affairs and has held the office of Village Trustee and is now a member of the school board.
GEORGE L. MARSHALL is the son of Robert and Margaret (Law) Marshall and was born in the town of Jackson, Washington County, N. Y., in the year 1844. He received his education in the district schools of his native place, at the Washington Academy, Cambridge, and the Troy Business College. After completing his education he returned to his father's farm, a large place of about five hundred
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acres, situated on the Cambridge and Arlington road, and after his father's death in 1876 he took the entire management of the place and although subsequently his talents have carried him into other channels of activity, he still owns this fine farm with its handsome old homestead.
Mr. Marshall was from the first an active Republican and repre- sented the town of Jackson as Supervisor in the years 1883, 1884 and 1885. In the autumn of 1885 he was elected sheriff of Washington County and held that office for a term of three years. In 1889 he moved to Shushan and bought an interest in the West Arlington Brush factory. Ten years later his partner James F. Williams died. The establishment turns out yearly over $30, 000 worth of brush backs and brush handles, and employment is given to twenty men. Mr. Marshall has the entire management of the business, although the firm name still remains Williams & Marshall.
In March, 1872, Mr. Marshall was united in marriage to Miss Hannah J. Law of Salem, N. Y.
WILLIAM B. MADISON, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Wash- ington County, was born at West Hebron, Washington County, N. Y., November 8, 1856. He was educated at the West Hebron Academy, at the Salem Academy and at the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated in the year 1880.
In 1881 Dr. Madison began the practice of his profession at West Hebron, where he has since resided, and where he has achieved a high reputation as a medical practitioner.
Dr. Madison's parents were Dr. John H. and Margaret (Brown) Madison. Dr. John H. Madison practiced medicine in Hebron for upwards of fifty years.
The family is of Scotch descent, but has been an American one for generations.
REV. WILLARD S. MCEACHRON was born in the town of Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., March 17, 1855. He was educated in the schools of West Hebron and Salem, N. Y., at Princeton College and in the Theological Seminary at Princeton.
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On December 20, ISSI, he took charge of the North United Presby- terian Church at West Hebron, where he has since ministered with the most gratifying success. He is not only earnest and enthusiastic. but ardent in his work, and is one of the most popular divines in this part of the state.
On October 14, 1885, Rev. Willard S. McEachron married Carrie P. Harsha, who died October S. 1889.
Mr. McEachron's parents were Alexander and Nancy (McGeoch) McEachron. The family is of Scotch descent, from which country Mr. McEachron's grandparents came. (See also town of Hebron).
SARDIS MITCHELL Was born in Blanford, Hamdon County, Massa- chusetts, in May, 1821, and is a son of Moses and Ann ( Knox) Mitchell. He was educated in the district schools of his native town and was first engaged in the manufacture of spokes and handles, which occu- pation he followed for ten years. In 1844 he removed to the village of Whitehall, where he carried on the same business for a period of ten years, and then settled upon his farm, where he has since resided.
On October 2, 1845. Mr. Mitchell married Mary Ann, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Stickney) Juckett. In 1895 they celebrated their golden wedding. They have two children, namely: Celestia M., wife of George DeKalb and William D. Mitchell.
CHARLES MELLON was born in the City of Montreal, Dominion of Canada, April 12, 1840. His parents were Michael and Mary Jane (Preston) Mellon.
After his school days he went into the business of speculating in wood, which he followed successfully for twenty years, when he branched off into farming, which he has since pursued.
He takes an active interest in town affairs, and represented Dresden on the Board of Supervisors for two years, being the only Democrat on the Board during the time of his service.
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