USA > New York > Washington County > Washington county, New York; its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 73
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LYMAN RATHBUN, son of Kenyon and Peilina Rathbun, was born in the town of Easton, Washington County, N. Y., on the farm where he now resides, September 10, 1836. He was reared on the farm, and his early education was obtained in the public schools of his native town. At the age of twenty-four, he embarked in farming on his own account, and on December 24, 1882, he married Deborah, daugh- ter of Harvey and Ruth Tubbs.
Lyman Rathbun is one of a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters. His brothers' names were Hiram, Paul, deceased,
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Stephen, deceased. His sisters' names were Anna, Julia, Lois, deceased, Patience and Mary.
Mr. Rathbun's grandparents were Paul and Patience Rathbun. The family originally came from Rhode Island, and is one of the oldest and most highly respected in Washington County. Mr. Rathbun himself, has not only been a very successful farmer, but is a man whose career has been characterized throughout by high integ- rity and honest dealings with all men, so that he is very popular and highly respected, and has many friends all over this part of the state.
HORACE L. ROGERS, the second son of James Rogers, was born at Greenwich, Washington County, N. Y., February 14, 1855. He was left without a mother in 1866, when only eleven years of age, and his father died nine years later. He became a mechanic and settled in Fort Miller, where he is a practical iron and steel roofer. In 1894 he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in the town of Fort Edward, and was re-elected in 1898, and again in 1901. He has in his possession and is the owner of the family cane, which is of Malacca wood, with ivory head and silver trimmings, and with the letters J. R. traced thereon.
In 1876 he married Hattie D. Sherman, daughter of Asa Sherman, and they have had a family of six children, three of whom are now living.
James Rogers, great grandfather of Horace L. Rogers, came from Connecticut, and was one of the first settlers at Union Village, now known as Greenwich. That vicinity was then a wilderness, and James Rogers bought, cleared up and cultivated the farm now known as the Ira Stevens place. He married Amy Brunson. He was a slave owner, and being a pioneer settler, it was his habit to lend seed grain-corn, wheat, etc .- to his new neighbors, receiving in return for the same, after harvest, one and one-quarter bushels for every bushel lent. James Rogers had three sons, David, Solomon and James. He bought a farm each for David and Solomon at Whitehall, N. Y., and for James (grandfather of the subject of this sketch) he bought a farm at Spraguetown, near Greenwich. James married Clarissa Fuller, daughter of Ebenezer Fuller, who was a Revolutionary soldier. Their son, James Rogers, was born in Vermont and married Isabel Ketchem,
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daughter of Leonard Ketchem, and the subject of this sketch was their second son. James Rogers (grandfather) was a soldier in the War of 1812.
WILLIAM PITT REYNOLDS .- The subject of this biography was born in Greenwich, Washington County, N. Y., December 7, 1843, and was educated in the schools of Greenwich, the Fort Edward Institute and the Eastman Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1863.
He began his business career as a clerk, and in 1864 he purchased the general merchandise business of his brother, James H. Reynolds, at Middle Falls, N. Y., which he has conducted successfully for the past thirty-six years, and which he still continues.
On January 2, 1866, Mr. Reynolds married Harriet, daughter of Dr. John R. and Cornelia E. (Dibble) Preston, of Schuylerville, N. Y. They have one daughter, Bertha Reynolds.
Mr. Reynolds has always been an unswerving Republican, has taken a lively interest in the success of his party, and was Deputy Postmas- ter at Middle Falls for a period of eleven years.
His parents were Porter and Mary S. (Remington) Reynolds, whose grandfather, David Remington, Sr., served his country in the War of the American Revolution.
Mr. Reynolds is one of a family of six children, Amander Porter (deceased); Andrew David, who resides in Indiana; James H. (de- ceased); Merritt L., of California; Mary S., widow of William S. McMaster, of Lockport, N. Y .; and William Pitt Reynolds, the sub- ject of this sketch. His father was an extensive farmer, but kept a hotel in his early days. His grandfather was Job Reynolds, a farmer and a native of Rhode Island. He came to Washington County and built a hotel near North Greenwich, in the latter part of the eighteenth century. His great grandfather was Jonathan Reynolds, who came to this country from England, settled in Rhode Island, and later came to Washington County.
William Pitt Reynolds has always been an active business man and has been unusually successful. Besides his mercantile business he is also extensively interested in real estate, and is probably the largest landowner in the county. He owns 1,000 acres of farm land, and
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about twenty tenement houses and business blocks in Middle Falls, N. Y. He exercises a personal supervision over all his varied inter- ests, exhibiting an executive ability of a high order.
ROBERT RANDLES was born in the town of Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., September 28, 1835, and has been a farmer all his life. He left school in 1853 and went to work on his father's farm until he was married, since which time he has successfully followed the same occupation on his own account.
On October 3, 1860, Mr. Randles married Frances A. Brown of Watertown, Jefferson County, N. Y. They have a family of five children, namely: Harvey T., George B., Frederick C., Lillian and Margaret M.
Mr. Randles' parents were Alexander and Mary Ann (Londen) Randles. His grandfather was Hugh Randles.
Harvey T. Randles married Etta Streever of Argyle, and they have two children, R. Streever Randles and Frank Stanley Randles.
Alexander Randles was born April 9, 1791, and died January 14, 1860. He was a native of Washington County. His wife, Mary Ann Randles, was born July 14, 1797, and died April 27, 1860.
REV. J. A. REYNOLDS, D. D., was born at Frankford, Ind., Decem- ber 9, 1836. He received a classical education at Miami University, Ohio, and a theological education at Xenid Seminary, Ohio, and was ordained a United Presbyterian minister in 1861. His first charge was at Cedar Creek, Ill., where he remained nine years, when he accepted a call from a church in Rock Island, Il1., where he remained thirteen years. He then accepted a call to Putnam, N. Y., where he is still ministering. Monmouth College, Ill., conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1884.
In November, 1863, Rev. J. A. Reynolds married Caroline McMillan. Their children are Bessie, who married Rev. J. B. Story of Perth, N. Y., Grace, who married Fred W. Anderson, cashier in
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the bank at Blue Earth City, Minn., and Paul L. Reynolds, who fills a clerical position in Plattsburgh, N. Y.
Rev. J. A. Reynolds is a son of Rev. John Reynolds and Hannah (Van Dyke) Reynolds. His father was of Scotch origin and his mother of Dutch descent.
The Rev. J. A. Reynolds had two brothers who served in the Union ranks in the Civil War. One received wounds in battle from which he was permanently crippled. The other served his term of enlist- ment and came home uninjured.
JOHN E. RUTLEDGE was born in County Limerick, Ireland, Decem- ber 29. 1854, and came to America with his parents in 1855, and landed in Brandon, Vt., April 20 of that year, and here he received his early education. In 1868, after leaving school, he took employ- ment in a hotel and has been associated with the hotel business ever since. He was proprietor of a hotel at Fair Haven, Vt., for the long period of fifteen years, and came to Greenwich in October, 1899, and purchased the Hotel Hamilton, which is the leading hotel in Green- wich and one of the best in this part of the state, under his able man- agement.
Mr. Rutledge is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Good Fellows and of the Catholic church.
In April, 1884, John E. Rutledge married Mary Elizabeth McCaf- ferty of Cohoes, N. Y., and they have three children, namely : Howard, Cornelius and William.
Mr. Rutledge's parents were George and Bridget Rutledge.
JOHN REIL was born in the town of Granville, Washington County, N. Y., March 28, 1861, and is a son of Edward and Hannora (Lynch) Reil.
He was educated at Hampton Flats and after leaving school, remained on the farm with his father until twenty-three years of age, when he embarked in the hotel business at Middle Granville. This
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business he still conducts and is a highly popular and efficient public entertainer.
Mr. Reil takes a great interest in thoroughbred horses, and besides his hotel business, is a horse trainer and race horse driver. He is also manager of the Mettowee Driving Park. He owns two splendid horses himself, namely: Earl Wilkes, who has a record of 2. 19 I-4, and Clyde Wilkes, with a mark of 2.21 I-4.
On December 28, 1887, John Reil married Julia McGraw, daughter of William and Anna (O'Neill) McGraw, and they have a family of four children, namely: Mary, Clyde, Anna and Alice.
EBER RICHARDS .- The subject of this biography was born in Essex County, N. Y., May 6, 1836, and was educated in the public schools of his native place and at Norwich University. After completing his education he turned his attention to business affairs, and throughout his entire career has been eminently successful.
It is the successful business men who are the strength and stays of this great commercial nation. To them the country owes more than to its politicians, philosophers or architects. What has the man who sits in the senate, or he who builds a bridge, or plans a temple, done for his kind, compared to the man who has founded a permanent industry, giving employment and sustenance to scores of men and their families. In the great cabinet of men the industrial leader is the chief, and his history, and the record of his work and successes, are more important than the kaleidoscopic and unprofitable careers of politicians and princes.
Mr. Richards' first commercial enterprise was a lumber business, which he conducted successfully until in 1880 he embarked in the manufacture of paper. In 1892 he sold out his paper interests and began the manufacture of pulp, which he still continues. In this enterprise his son, Frederick B. Richards, is associated with him, the firm name being E. Richards & Son, and their plant is located at Ticonderoga, N. Y.
In September, 1857, Mr. Richards married Mary E., daughter of James and Caziah (Lee) Culver. They have two sons, namely: Fred- erick B. Richards and Orson C. Richards.
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Mr. Richards is a prominent Mason, a member of Sandy Hill Lodge No. 372, Sandy Hill Chapter No. 189, and Washington Commandery No. 33, K. T., Saratoga Springs. He is also a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, the Royal Arcanum, the Irocosia Club and the Society of the Mayflower.
An active business career like that of Mr. Richards' almost pre- cludes the opportunity to take an active part in public affairs, yet Mr. Richards always took a deep interest in educational matters, and was a member of the Board of Education for the long period of thirty years, and held the office of Town Supervisor for one year.
The fact of his being a member of the Mayflower Society indicates his lineage, and that his family is one of the oldest in America, his ancestors in this country having landed with the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. His parents were Orson and Julia A. (Fisk) Richards.
HORACE RHODES was born in Granville, Washington County, N. Y., April 22, 1835. He was a son of William and Byer (Derby) Rhodes.
He was educated in the district schools and at the North Granville Academy. After leaving school he engaged in the pursuit of farming, which has been his business all his life.
Horace Rhodes married Emeline Smith, daughter of William Smith, and they have two children, namely: Hattie and Carrie M. Rhodes.
Mr. Rhodes has never sought prominence in public life, yet he has filled the office of Assessor for seventeen years, which is one of the most difficult public positions, because an assessor has to deal directly with the entire public in the valuation of their property. Owing, however, to Mr. Rhodes' good judgment and intimate knowledge of the value of real estate in his town, he has been a most satisfactory official, as his long term of office attests.
He is also a member of the local Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Rhodes' father was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, and his grandfather was a patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War.
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JOHN S. ROGERS, one of the oldest and one of the best known and highly respected citizens of Whitehall, was born at Mount Holly, Rut- land County, Vt., September 4, 1817. He received a liberal public school education in his native town and in Washington County, to which he removed in 1827. He was a farmer's son, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life.
On January 1, 1840, Mr. Rogers married Aravilla, daughter of Isaac and Abigail (Barber) Harlow. They have one daughter living, Julia, the wife of Allen E. Kelley. Another daughter, Sarah J., was born in October, 1846, and died August 11, 1850.
On the first of January, 1840, sixty years ago this century year, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were married, and now for more than a decade past the date of their golden wedding, they have lived together in harmony and felicity. Together, in harmony, they have shared life's joys and sorrows; its bright and darkened days; together climbing and aiding each other, up the hill of life, toward a golden sunset. Mrs. Rogers died November 8, 1900.
Mr. Rogers' parents were Stephen and Anna (Emerson) Rogers. He had seven brothers and one sister. His father was born in Dan- bury, Rutland County, Vt., and his mother was born in Henicker, N. H., and died in 1841, aged fifty-six years.
Mr. Rogers is a Republican in politics, and has been identified with that party since its organization in 1855. He cast his first vote for. William Henry Harrison in 1840, and his latest for William Mckinley in 1900. He enjoys not only the respect and esteem of the men of his own party, but of the public in general, and has been Justice of the Peace for the last ten years. He is also Truant Officer for the town of Whitehall.
Although at the time of writing this article Mr. Rogers has passed his eighty-third birthday, he is still as active as most men are at fifty, and age has not impaired, but has ripened his mind.
Mr. Rogers has two grandchildren, namely: John R. Kelley and Mary (Kelley) Jones, of Granville, N. Y. Mr. Rogers also has two great grandchildren, the children of his granddaughter, Mary (Kelley) Jones.
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GEORGE E. ROGERS was born in the village of West Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was educated in the public schools of his native place and at the Fort Edward Institute. After leaving 'school he taught in different towns and villages for five years, and then became bookkeeper in a music store in Troy, which position he occupied for two years, after which he became traveling salesman for F. H. Cluett, remaining with him two years. He next removed to Fort Ann, and engaged in the iron ore business with J. F. Harris for two and a half years.
In February, 1882, Mr. Rogers settled in Fort Edward and em- barked in the furniture and piano and organ business, which he con- tinued until 1894, when the firm of Rogers & Griffin, undertakers, was formed April 1. 1900, since dissolved, and Mr. Rogers is now doing business alone at his new stand.
Mr. Rogers is a prominent member of Blue Lodge, No. 261, F. & A. M., and has been its treasurer for a number of years, and of Chap- ter No. 191, R. A. M .. in which he has held the office of Scribe. He has also been a trustee of the Baptist church for a number of years. George E. Rogers married Delia M. Harris and they have three children, namely: J. Frank, Marian E. and W. Arthur Rogers.
Mr. Rogers' parents were William and Maria A. (Hulsapple) Rogers, and is of English descent on his father's side.
FRANK C. RYON, local agent for the Delaware & Hudson Company's coal department in Whitehall, is a son of Joseph and Mary A. Ryon, and was born in the Province of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, but was brought to the United States when an infant, by his parents, who settled in Burlington, Vermont. Here he received his early educa- tion and subsequently spent most of his time on the lakes up to the breaking out of the Civil War, during which he was master of a trans- port for the Union. In 1877 he removed to. Whitehall and received the appointment of agent for the Delaware & Hudson Company's coal department and has filled this position ever since.
Since coming to Whitehall Mr. Ryon has taken an interest in public affairs and is one of the representative men of the village. He has held the office of Town Assessor for five years, which is one of the most difficult public positions, because the official has to come in
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touch with every citizen and be absolutely fair to all, yet such has been the good judgment possessed by Mr. Ryon, coupled together with an accurate knowledge of property values, that year after year he has continued to hold the position and discharge his duties with the highest degree of satisfaction.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and affiliated with Phoenix Lodge, No. 96, F. & A. M., and Champlain Chapter No. 25, of Whitehall, and is a thorough business man, public spirited and popular, and enjoys the confidence of the public because of his honor- able business methods and enterprise.
In November, 1865, Mr. Ryon married Mary A., daughter of John and Almira (Luther) Aikens. They have four children, namely: Lillian A., Rose, Ellen and Edward F.
TIMOTHY F. STOUGHTON was born at Fort Edward, Washington County, N. Y., and was educated at the Fort Edward Union High School, after which he took up the drug business, in which he has since been continuously engaged. He received his diploma as a licensed pharmacist on October 17, 1884, and this was the 236th dip- loma granted under the new law requiring druggists to pass a rigid examination before being allowed to take charge of a prescription department. He continued in the capacity of a drug clerk until May, 1898, when he entered into partnership with R. C. Montgomery, in their fine drug store at Fort Edward. This firm continued until 1901. when Mr. Stoughton sold out, but still remains in the store.
Mr. Stoughton is a prominent Mason, being a member of Fort Ed- ward Lodge No. 267, F. & A. M., and Fort Edward Chapter No. 271. He is also a member of the Satterlee Hose Company, and a charter member of the Royal Arcanum.
In 1879 Timothy F. Stoughton married Martha Roblee, and they have two children, namely: Lena Amelia and Montgomery Jones Stoughton.
Mr. Stoughton's parents were Halsey W. and Elonsia Stoughton. His grandfather was Timothy Stoughton, who married Sophia Ingalls, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. His great grandfather was John Stoughton, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was commissioned as Lieutenant, May 23, 1776. He was also a Jus-
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tice of the Peace in Lenox, Berkshire County, Mass., for seven years. He married Ann Lewis.
From this record it will be seen that the Stoughton family is not only an old American one, but that it also has been a prominent and patriotic family, and that its history is interwoven with that of the nation in at least two of the great historical periods of the United States.
Timothy F. Stoughton is an enterprising and honorable business man, who has achieved success in his business through his unaided efforts and ability.
ALBERT J. STEVENSON was born in the town of Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., September 24, 1852, and was educated at the Argyle Academy, from which he was graduated in 1868. He then worked on the farm with his father until his marriage. On January 5, 1875, he married Evelyn Fullerton, of Argyle, and they have a family of four children, namely: William E., Frank F., Grace E., and J. Howard. Mr. Stevenson's parents were James and Margaret (Gifford) Steven- son. His grandfather, John Stevenson, was one of the early settlers of the town of Argyle.
WILLIAM L. SPRAGUE was born in the town of Greenwich, Wash- ington County, N. Y., June 14, 1851. He was reared on the farm and followed that occupation until 1888, when he embarked in the meat business, in which he has since been engaged, and in which he deals both at wholesale and retail.
On January 3, 1875, William L. Sprague married Jennie M. Rathbun, daughter of Hiram C. and Mary (Hallum) Rathbun, and they have one daughter, Anna M. Rathbun.
Mr. Sprague's parents were William and Anna (Carpenter) Sprague, who were natives of Rhode Island.
Mr. Sprague is a representative citizen of Greenwich, and is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 253, Union Village, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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LEWIS G. SNELL, son of John S. and Esther A. (Gardner) Snell, was born in the town of Easton, Washington County, N. Y., March 23, 1857. Like most of the boys of his town, he was educated in the dis- trict schools and at Marshall Seminary, and after receiving a liberal education took up the occupation of farming, which he has since pursued.
On April 4, 1881, Lewis G. Snell married Hattie P., daughter of Ezra and Betsey Harrington, and they have one son, Lewis P., born November 15, 1891.
Mr. Snell is a representative and highly popular citizen of the town of Easton, and takes a deep and intelligent interest in all matters relating to the welfare of his town or county.
He is a Democrat in politics and was a member of the Board of Supervisors for two years.
GILBERT H. STEVENS was born at Shushan February 1, 1837, and was educated in the schools of his native village and at Washington Academy. After completing his education he accepted a position as teacher in West Arlington, Vermont, where he remained one term, after which he taught a year in Belcher, N. Y., and then along with his cousin, M. P. Stevens, purchased both the saw mills at Shushan. About the same time he built the house now owned by the Law · estate. In 1862 Mr. Stevens was appointed station agent of the R. & W. Railway at Shushan, the road then being owned by Jay Gould. This position he filled with ability for the long term of twenty years. In 1883 he and Warren Kenyon built the old opera house at Shushan which was burned down in 1887. Immediately after the fire Mr. Stevens purchased the interest of Mr. Kenyon and built the New Stevens Opera House which was opened October 18, 1888. In the same year he inaugurated his general produce business in the Stevens building which he has since successfully continued.
In 1895, after the death of his father, Mr. Stevens built the hand- some property known as the Park View Hotel, which is one of the best equipped and most popular hotels in Northern New York and which he personally conducts with eminent success.
In politics Mr. Stevens is a staunch Republican and was the candi- date of his party for Supervisor of the town in 1882. In 1888 he was
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made postmaster at Shushan under President Harrison. He has always been prominent in politics and is the leader of his district, in which he is highly popular.
In July, 1859, Mr. Stevens married Elbertine Z. Jones, daughter of Benjamin and Almira (Morehouse) Jones, formerly of Clintonville, N. Y. They have two children, namely : Frances E., born in 1860, who is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music in the class of 1879 and Alice V, born in 1875, who is a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1898, who immediately received a position as one of the superin- tendents of the public library in Boston, which position she now holds. The former resides at Saranac Lake and the latter in Boston.
Mr. Stevens' parents were Franklin and Harriet (Fowler) Stevens. His paternal grandmother was a Howe and a direct descendant of Lord Howe of Revolutionary fame.
Franklin Stevens was a prominent man of his day. He was a director of the R. & W. Railway, also of the Peoples' Bank of Salem, and at one time Director of the First National Bank of Salem, also of the Cambridge Valley Bank at his demise.
CHARLES H. SAFFORD was born in the town of Greenwich, Washing- ton County, N. Y., April 1, 1851. He received an academical educa- tion, and after his school days took up the occupation of farming with his uncle. He subsequently engaged in selling pumps and continued in this business for about three years, when he branched off and went into the sale of ornamental iron work for fences and other decorations. He was engaged in this business for six years, and in 1897 he em- barked in the granite and marble business, and also deals largely in wire fences, and in this line, as well as in the marble and granite business, is at all times prepared to fill orders of any magnitude. He makes a specialty of Southern Falls and Rutland marble and Quincy granite.
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